Vulvar Care

Many women experience uncomfortable, vaginal infections (vaginitis) at one time or another. The area around the entrance to the vagina (vulva) can also become irritated. Steps can be taken to relieve and prevent vulvar discomfort and vaginal infections.

This document has been prepared to provide you with general tips for maintaining a healthy vulva and vagina. Not all vaginal infections are alike and home treatments can worsen some types. If you have any concerns about your vulvar or vaginal health, or notice unusual changes in vaginal discharge, contact your health care provider if the problem persists.

The vulva and vagina

The vulva is the area of female sex organs that lies outside of the vagina. These organs include folds of sensitive tissue called the "labia" (labia means "lips"). There are two sets of labia. The outermost folds are called the labia majora. A second set of folds, called the labia minora, is enclosed within the labia majora. The vulva also contains the mounded area made by the pubic bone (mons pubis), a small, round organ (clitoris), and the openings of the vagina and urinary canal (urethra). The vagina is the passageway that extends from outside of the body to the uterus (womb).

Vaginal infections and vulvar care

Vaginal infections occur when bacteria, funguses or other organisms grow uncontrolled. Some of these organisms already live in the vagina and are kept at healthy levels by coexisting with other organisms. Infectious organisms can also be introduced into the vagina by improper hygiene or unsafe sex.

The goal of vulvar care is to keep the vulva dry and free from irritants. In this way, you can prevent the vulva from becoming red, swollen and irritated. Because many infections are introduced into the vagina, these tips also provide a basis for good, vaginal care.

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SAFER SEX GUIDELINES

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD DURING SEX?

To spread HIV during sex, HIV infection in blood or sexual fluids must be transmitted to someone. Sexual fluids come from a man's penis or from a woman's vagina, before, during, or after orgasm. HIV can be transmitted when infected fluid gets into someone's body.

You can't spread HIV if there is no HIV infection. If you and your partners are not infected with HIV, there is no risk. An "undetectable viral load does NOT mean "no HIV infection." If there is no contact with blood or sexual fluids, there is no risk. HIV needs to get into the body for infection to occur.

Safer sex guidelines are ways to reduce the risk of spreading HIV during sexual activity.

UNSAFE ACTIVITIES

Unsafe sex has a high risk of spreading HIV. The greatest risk is when blood or sexual fluid touches the soft, moist areas (mucous membrane) inside the rectum, vagina, mouth, nose, or at the tip of the penis. These can be damaged easily, which gives HIV a way to get into the body.

Vaginal or rectal intercourse without protection is very unsafe. Sexual fluids enter the body, and wherever a man's penis is inserted, it can cause small tears that make HIV infection more likely. The receptive partner is more likely to be infected, although HIV might be able to enter the penis, especially if it has contact with HIV-infected blood or vaginal fluids for a long time or if it has any open sores.

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A Healthy "V" Makes a Healthy Relationship

From Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, MD

Updated July 15, 2005

WHITE PLAINS, NY - It's best to enter a new relationship with no hidden medical issues, particularly ones that pertain to sexual history. A recent survey conducted for the Vagisil Women's Health Center (VWHC) found that 42 percent of single U.S. women aged 18 and older are in monogamous relationships (65 percent of U.S. women overall), and 11 percent of all women have had multiple sexual partners in the past five years. With so much riding on one's sexual health history, women should be taking extra steps when they do find the right person so that their past doesn't come back to haunt them -- and their partner.

Patients need to be honest with their doctors about their sexual history and practices, including precautions they've taken on a consistent basis. It's best to tell your gynecologist everything - even something that you may think is unimportant can be relevant to your doctor. It's best to let your doctor decide, since one misstep can follow you for the rest of your life if it remains hidden.

There are four main areas that women should address with their physician when they enter into a new relationship:

Annual Gynecological exam and discussion of sexual activity/history: While you should have an annual gynecological exam that includes a discussion of sexual activity/practices, this is especially important prior to involving a new partner. However, the VWHC survey found that 53 percent of women report that they were not asked about their sexual activity as part of their gynecologist/doctor's appointment. Women need to be proactive regarding their feminine health, and sexuality is so much a part of that. Bottom line is that if you doctor doesn't ask, you must bring up issues or questions you may have. This is true regardless of your age since many women are sexually active throughout their lives.

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Cervical cancer “invisible killer”

Worldwide, every two minutes one woman died because of cervical cancer. However, the study found that 85% of Chinese women in cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus type 16/18. The study found no cervical HPV genotypes other regional differences. This information will in the future to assess the economic benefits of vaccines and to HPV-based cervical cancer screening to provide a scientific basis.

Statistics show that worldwide, 27 million women each year die of cervical cancer friends, it has become the second largest cause of death in women worldwide. According to research, called the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer virus is the culprit, of which HPV16 is the trigger type and 18 women, the most important type of uterine cancer, infection with the virus will cause the world at least seven per cent 10 or more cases of cervical cancer. HPV is a threat to the health and life of female friends, the “invisible killer.”

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Risk factors and causes of cervical cancer

When you get a diagnosis of cancer, it's natural to wonder what may have caused the disease. Doctors cannot always explain why one woman develops cervical cancer and another does not. However, we do know that a woman with certain risk factors may be more likely than others to develop cervical cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of cervical cancer. For example, infection with HPV (human papillomavirus) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV infection and other risk factors may act together to increase the risk even more:

HPV infection: HPV is a group of viruses that can infect the cervix. An HPV infection that doesn't go away can cause cervical cancer in some women. HPV is the cause of nearly all cervical cancers.

HPV infections are very common. These viruses are passed from person to person through sexual contact. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their lives, but most infections clear up on their own.

Some types of HPV can cause changes to cells in the cervix. If these changes are found early, cervical cancer can be prevented by removing or killing the changed cells before they can become cancer cells. The NCI fact sheet Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers has more information.

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What are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

Symptoms of cervical cancer don't usually appear until the abnormal cells invade nearby tissue.

Symptoms can include:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Heavier, long-lasting periods
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Pelvic pain

Abnormal bleeding may occur:

• Between menstrual periods
• After menopause
• After intercourse
• After a pelvic examination

These symptoms are not always a sign of cervical cancer. They can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or other conditions. Your doctor can determine the cause of these symptoms.

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