Vulval skin
Conditions affecting the skin and tissues of the vulva, including itching, burning, soreness, skin changes and chronic pain.
Understanding
Vulval symptoms are common and frequently undertreated. Many patients come in after months (sometimes years) of being told it is just thrush. A thorough examination and, where useful, a small vulval biopsy usually leads to a clear diagnosis.
Conditions including lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, vulvodynia and contact dermatitis are all manageable with the right treatment plan.
Common symptoms
Burning, itching or stinging
Pain or discomfort, short-lived or chronic
Skin changes: redness, pale patches, thickening, splitting
Pain with intercourse
Recurrent thrush-like symptoms that don't settle
Diagnosis
Approach
A structured workup, often within one appointment, to identify the cause and shape a clear treatment plan.
Careful, gentle vulval examination
Swabs to exclude infection
Vulval biopsy if skin changes are present
Patch testing for contact dermatitis in selected cases
Treatment
Treatment is built around your symptoms, preferences and any other conditions. Options often combine medication, hormonal treatments and where appropriate, surgery.
Skin-care advice and emollient soap substitutes
Topical steroid treatment for inflammatory skin conditions
Antifungal or antibiotic treatment for infection
Hormonal treatment where genitourinary syndrome of menopause is the cause
Referral to dermatology or pain clinic for selected conditions
Related procedures
Your consultation
A first appointment is unhurried. We work through your history, your symptoms and your priorities, and where helpful arrange examination, imaging or further tests at the same visit. You leave with a clear plan and time to ask any question you bring.