Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Vulvitis is irritation or inflammation of the vulva, the skin folds right outside the vagina. It’s not usually serious but may cause persistent discomfort, itchiness, or pain.
Once the cause is diagnosed, it can usually be treated quickly with over-the-counter remedies to relieve symptoms or prescription medication to treat the underlying cause. If vulvitis persists for more than a few days, see your healthcare provider.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Vulvitis?
Vulvitis is not a medical condition on its own but a sign of a disease or medical issue.
Vulvitis Causes
Is Vulvitis an STI?Vulvitis is not a sexually transmitted infection but can be a symptom of one. SeveralSTIs cause itching or burningof the vulva including:ChlamydiaTrichomoniasisGenital herpesBacterial vaginosis and yeast infections (candidiasis), though not STIs, can be transmitted through sex and cause vulvitis symptoms.
Is Vulvitis an STI?
Vulvitis is not a sexually transmitted infection but can be a symptom of one. SeveralSTIs cause itching or burningof the vulva including:ChlamydiaTrichomoniasisGenital herpesBacterial vaginosis and yeast infections (candidiasis), though not STIs, can be transmitted through sex and cause vulvitis symptoms.
Vulvitis is not a sexually transmitted infection but can be a symptom of one. SeveralSTIs cause itching or burningof the vulva including:
Bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections (candidiasis), though not STIs, can be transmitted through sex and cause vulvitis symptoms.
Anyone with a vulva can develop vulvitis. However, those who are allergy-prone, have sensitive skin, or have a weakened immune system may be particularly at risk.
Specific risk factors include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider for Vulvitis
If vulvitis persists for several days and does not resolve with over-the-counter treatments, see your healthcare provider.
How Vulvitis Is Diagnosed
You may already suspect the cause of your vulvitis. Perhaps symptoms started after you switched laundry detergents or soaps, for example. But sometimes, the cause may not be obvious.
These can help narrow down a diagnosis if you haven’t used a product that directly irritated your skin.
Treatment for Vulvitis
Vulvitis will often go away on its own in a few days if it’s due to irritants such as soap products or related to other non-infectious causes. You can often manage these symptoms with home remedies.
However, vulvitis from an infection requires medical treatment. Untreated infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), pain, scarring, and inflammation.
Home Remedies
The following at-home strategies can help to relieve the itching, irritation, and inflammation of vulvitis:
Is It OK to Have Sex With Vulvitis?
Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that may be used to treat vulvitis include:
Preventing Vulvitis
As a general rule, keep your vaginal and vulvar area clean, dry, and cool, especially during menstrual periods and after bowel movements.
Be sure to gently cleanse the vaginal area. Avoid harsh rubbing with washcloths or towels.
Other ways to prevent vulvitis include:
Summary
To prevent vulvitis, keep the area around your vagina clean and dry. Don’t use soap or bubble baths with irritants like dyes and perfumes. Use condoms during sexual activities to help avoid infection.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sattler S, Elsensohn AN, Mauskar MM, Kraus CN.Plasma cell vulvitis: A systematic review.International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. 2021;7(5):756-762. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.04.005
National Library of Medicine.Vulvovaginitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vulvitis.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Vulvovaginitis.
Vulvar care.J Midwife Womens Health. 2022;67(4):527-528. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13344
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