|
Vulval pain and discomfort — other issues to consider Taking care of your vulval skin Regardless of whether you have any vulval problems, the main advice is to avoid using soap, bubble bath, antiseptic, scented shower gels and other perfumed products on the delicate vulval skin. Avoid scrubbing with flannels, just gently clean with water only. Women with vulval skin problems like lichen sclerosis and with vulval pain syndromes are advised to clean and soothe the area with Aqueous cream or other emollients. If drying the vulva with a towel is too painful, try using a hairdryer on a cool setting. This is also recommended for women with active genital herpes. To avoid shampoo coming into contact with the vulva, washing hair separately above a hand basin is recommended. |
|
||||||||||||||||
If you have, or are prone to, vulval problems, avoid wearing tights or tight fitting trousers. Avoid synthetic underwear and try cotton knickers that are not too tight. As detergents and fabric softeners can be an irritant to vulval skin, switch to non-biological washing powder or try washing underwear in baking soda only. Always rinse underwear well. If urinating causes stinging and pain because the urine touches the sore vulval skin, try pouring luke warm water over the vulva while you are on the toilet. Other methods include urinating while in the bath or shower. It may also help to lean slightly forward when you are on the toilet as this directs the stream of urine straight down and minimises the amount that touches the skin. Vulval discomfort and sex Any form of vulval discomfort can affect intimate personal relationships. In particular, long standing vulval pain or lichen sclerosis can make many forms of sexual contact difficult. If you have intercourse, ensure there is sufficient lubrication, using a lubricant, such as KY Jelly, if necessary. Don't use oil or petroleum based lubricants, like Vaseline, when using a condom or diaphragm, as they will damage the latex. Women with vulval vestibulitis or dysaesthetic vulvodynia may find they begin to avoid sexual intimacy for fear of pain during intercourse. This may lead to reduced sexual arousal, loss of sexual desire and relationship problems. Help with the sexual and emotional problems of vulval pain can be obtained from a psychosexual therapist or clinical psychologist. Where to go for help with vulval problems Getting the right diagnosis and treatment for vulval problems can prove to be difficult for some women. Initially, your GP should examine you and treat or advise you appropriately. If your symptoms persist you can ask to be referred to a specialist. This referral can be to a dermatologist, gynaecologist or genito-urinary specialist. Some hospitals have special vulval clinics that you can be referred to. There are also clinics you can attend without a referral. Many hospitals have a sexual health clinic at their GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) department. They hold frequent clinics and you can either make an appointment or attend at a time when no appointment is needed. They often have patient or sexual health advisors you can speak to over the phone first. A check-up at a sexual health clinic involves an examination of your vagina and vulva and swabs are taken to test for thrush, BV, trichomonas, gonorrhoea and chlamydia, as well as genital herpes and warts. A blood sample is taken to screen for syphilis and hepatitis B. Doctors at these clinics will refer you to other specialists if necessary. Other clinics for which you need no referral are well-woman and contraceptive clinics. See Resources for details of how to find local clinics. |
|||||||||||||||||
|
Written by Ingrid Smit and published in printed format (2001) by Women's Health
|
|||||||||||||||||
