Any, even the most minor changes in the sexual sphere, can scare a woman. Quite often, patients find such a problem as ulcers on the labia, vulva and perineum. For such manifestations, there are quite a few reasons that will be discussed below.
Ulcers are understood as significant violations of the integrity of the skin or mucous membrane. There are a lot of factors provoking their appearance. This may be the result of an infectious, physical or chemical effect, a violation of the blood supply, etc.
So, what does it mean if an ulcer appears on the labia?
Genital herpes
Its other name is genital herpes. The disease is a lesion of the mucous membranes of the genitals and skin in the perineum of the herpes virus of the second type. It should be noted that more than half of the population of our planet are its carriers. Not in every case, herpes is activated. This process depends on the stability of human immunity.
Infection occurs through direct contact with the patient through mucus, sperm, sweat, particles of the mucous membrane, skin, etc. Also, the virus can enter the human body through microcracks in the epidermis. At the same time, he can live in the body for years without manifesting himself. What else can a ulcer on the labia mean?
Candidiasis
In the people, this disease is called "thrush." This is a very common pathology among women of any age group. Candidiasis rarely leads to the formation of ulcers on the labia, however, in the absence of treatment and weakened immunity, this is quite possible. Thrush is accompanied by severe itching, which leads to scratching, cracking and damage to the skin. Often in this case, you can notice white sores on the labia.
Primary Syphilis
This is the initial stage of the development of the disease, the appearance of which is provoked by the pathogen, called "pale treponema." Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease and has been known for centuries.
It is for its primary type that ulcers on the mucous membrane and skin are characteristic. This symptom occurs 5-6 weeks after infection. Syphilis transmission occurs most often during sexual contact and rather rarely when using personal hygiene items of an infected person.
A solid chancre, otherwise called a "syphilitic ulcer", is formed at the site of direct penetration of the pathogen of pale treponema. The ulcers on the labia are painless, have dense edges. The size of the formations ranges from a few millimeters to 4 cm.
Chancre
It refers to sexually transmitted diseases. The appearance of chancre is due to the multiplication of bacteria from the category of hemophilic sticks. Infection occurs in a manner similar to syphilis.
There are a number of differences between soft chancre and hard, they are as follows:
1. An ulcer occurs a week after intercourse without barrier contraceptives with an infected person. At first it resembles a red spot.
2. The ulcer has soft edges and a bottom.
3. She is painless.
4. Pus is secreted from the soft chancre.
5. It heals independently, forming a scar in about 2-3 weeks.
Venereal granuloma
This disease is one of the varieties of infection provoked by chlamydia. Small sores of several millimeters in diameter appear on the external genitalia, as well as in the anus and vagina, 3-14 days after intercourse without using a condom. The ulcers on the labia do not cause discomfort and are painless on their own. A few days later, lymphadenitis joins the disease, accompanied by an inflammatory process and damage to the lymph nodes of a purulent nature.
The disease develops rapidly, with pain, signs of poisoning of the body by the decay products of bacteria and an increase in body temperature.
What else can be sores on the labia minora?
Oncological diseases
The appearance of ulcers in cancer is typical for women during menopause. This occurs as a result of atrophy of the vulva and vagina, which is called “kraurosis” in medicine. The mucous membranes and skin on the genitals become thinner and dry, which leads to defects in the form of erosion and ulcers. Such formations are painless, but tend to increase in breadth and in depth.
The most common form of skin cancer is squamous; other types are much less common. The appearance of ulcers in squamous cell carcinoma indicates a neglected form of the disease, radical treatment in such cases is no longer used.
Photos of ulcers on the labia look very unattractive regardless of the cause of the disease.
Trophic ulcers
They mean a defect in the mucous membrane or skin that occurs as a result of malnutrition of tissues or innervation. Quite often, trophic ulcers are formed as a result of varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency.
On the external genitalia, they appear quite rarely. Trophic ulcers occur quickly, but their appearance is due to the prolonged course of varicose veins.
Trophic ulcers cause pain, they are characterized by the release of pus or serous matter. Such ulcers on the labia of women are poorly scarred and gradually grow deeper into the tissue.
Diagnostics
If ulcers are found on the genitals, it is necessary to consult the appropriate doctor to determine the cause of their appearance. Specialists dealing with such problems are gynecologists and venereologists.
After collecting a detailed medical history and visual examination, the doctor takes smears from the surface of the ulcers, and also makes scraping, seeding and prints for bacteriological and microscopic studies. Through these analyzes, most diseases of an infectious nature, as well as scabies and oncological pathologies, are diagnosed.
In addition to microscopic studies, serodiagnosis is also carried out, which consists in detecting the amount of antibodies in the blood produced by the body for a particular disease. For the diagnosis of syphilis, for example, a Wasserman or RW reaction is used.
In some cases, more modern genetic molecular studies are used, such as PCR, that is, polymerase chain reaction. Thus, a herpes infection and various venereal pathologies are diagnosed.
If all the above studies did not give a positive result, an analysis is carried out for allergic reactions and ultrasound examination of blood vessels. When a doctor suspects cancer, a histological and cytological examination of the biopsy of ulcers and scrapings is performed.
Therapy
Treatment is prescribed only after a thorough examination is carried out and an accurate diagnosis is confirmed. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed for ulcers, the appearance of which is provoked by chlamydia, pale treponema and pathogenic microbes. It should be borne in mind that for each pathogen there is its own antibiotic.
Herpes involves taking antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir. Immunomodulating drugs are also often prescribed.
If the appearance of ulcers is due to an allergic reaction, then a specialist will prescribe antihistamines. Also in this case, it is important to identify the allergen and avoid contact with it.