What causes vaginal ulcers?

If there is genital ulceration, then you should pay attention to what disease is causing it. Common vaginitis or herpes virus infection may show these symptoms. At the same time, there will also be symptoms of vaginal edema and congestion, as well as unbearable itching and increased secretions.

(1) Nonspecific vulvitis: Ulcers often occur after scratching, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as low fever and fatigue, and severe local pain. The ulcers are superficial, few in number, and have obvious inflammation around them.

(2) Herpes virus infection: acute onset. After contact with the source of herpes simplex virus infection, there is generally an incubation period of 2 to 7 days, followed by fever, malaise, swollen inguinal lymph nodes and herpes. Initially, there are multiple herpes, which then break and become superficial multiple ulcers with severe pain. Ulcers often affect the labia minora, especially on their inner surface, and more than 50% to 80% of cases involve the vagina, urethra, and cervix. The ulcers vary in size, with a gray-yellow base, slightly raised edges, and high levels of congestion and edema. Ulcers usually heal spontaneously within 1 to 2 weeks but often recur. Because the herpes simplex virus affects the vagina, urethra, etc., patients often have a lot of leucorrhea. The leucorrhea is initially transparent serous, then becomes turbid thin pus, and finally becomes yellow purulent leucorrhea due to bacterial infection, accompanied by urinary system symptoms: such as urgency and difficulty urinating.

(3) Behçet's disease: Acute vulvar ulcers are common in Behçet's disease, also known as oculo-oral-genital syndrome. In the past, acute vulvar ulcers were considered to be benign ulcers caused by large rod-shaped bacteria and non-contact infection. It is now generally believed that acute vulvar ulcers are a development stage of Behcet's disease, which may occur simultaneously or successively with eye and oral lesions. Ulcers can occur widely in various parts of the vulva, but are most common on the inner and outer sides of the labia minora and the vestibule of the vagina. The onset is acute and relapses are common. Clinically, it is divided into three types, which can exist alone or in combination, with the gangrenous type being the most serious.

① Gangrenous type: Usually systemic symptoms occur first, such as fever and fatigue. The lesion area is significantly red and swollen, the ulcer edges are irregular, there is a digging phenomenon, and the local pain is severe. The surface of the ulcer is covered with a large amount of pus, or a dirty yellow to gray-black necrotic pseudomembrane, and after removal, an uneven base can be seen. The lesion progresses rapidly and can cause defects in the labia minora, which appear similar to vulvar cancer, but the edges and base are soft and non-infiltrated.

② Chancroid type: more common. Generally, the symptoms are mild and the disease progresses slowly. The ulcers are more numerous and shallower. The area around the ulcer is red and swollen, and the edges are irregular. There may also be excavation. It usually heals within a few weeks, but new ulcers often appear near the old lesions while they are healing.