
Get answers to your Urinary Incontinence / Urogynecology questions by
e-mailing Dr. Johnson.
Dr. Johnson’s Bio | Q&A Archive
Sores or lesions on the external female genitalia, or in the vagina, may have a number of possible causes.
Sores or lesions on the female genitalia are often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Venereal warts , syphilis , genital herpes , chancroid , molluscum contagiosum , and granuloma inguinale are STIs that cause visible and fairly classic-appearing lesions.
Precancerous changes of the vulva (vulvar dysplasia) may appear as white, red, or brown patches on the vulva, and are often accompanied by itching. The vulva can also develop skin cancers such as melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Non-sexually transmitted diseases may also produce lesions on the genitalia. In young girls (before puberty), nonspecific vulvovaginitis , atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis are common causes of genital lesions. Other common disorders of the skin, such as lichen planus, seborrheic dermatitis, and vitiligo are less common causes. Rarely, a medical illness can cause genital lesions as one of its symptoms, as in Crohn's disease.
Because genital lesions or sores often adversely affect a person's self-image, many individuals do not seek proper medical care. These lesions may be caused by a malignancy or a sexually transmitted disease, and in every case should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Itching, painful urination, or painful sexual intercourse often accompany genital lesions.
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). |