Vulval problems Ngā raruraru puapua

Your vulva includes your labia (inner and outer vaginal lips) and clitoris. Vulval problems are common in women of all ages. You may have symptoms like:

• itching or burning
• irritation
• pain
• cysts or lumps
• a change in the skin colour and texture.

There are several conditions that may cause symptoms around your vulval area.

Cysts and lumps

Small cysts at the opening of your vaginal may be Bartholin's cysts. These often go away by themselves but sometimes need treatment. 

Bartholin's cysts

Vulval lumps are quite common and may be caused by a range of things including an infected hair follicle or genital warts. 

Infections

You might have a vulval infection such as thrush, which is a common infection that causes itchiness and soreness.

Vaginal thrush

Sexually transmitted infections such as genital warts and genital herpes can cause vulval symptoms.

Genital warts

Genital herpes

Skin conditions

Skin conditions such as dermatitis can cause itching with a rash. You can get dermatitis from things that can irritate your skin such as perfumed soaps and lotions. Sometimes you might have a reaction to the type of condoms you use.

Dermatitis

If you have a condition called lichen sclerosus, the skin of your vulva can become thin and wrinkled. This can result in itching, tenderness and painful sex. Psoriasis can also affect the vulva and cause dryness and thickening of your skin.

Lichen sclerosus

Psoriasis

Pain

Vulvodynia is ongoing pain or discomfort in your vulva.

Vulvodynia — Healthifyexternal link

Other problems

If your levels of the female hormone estrogen are lower, such as when you are going through menopause, you could have vulval or vaginal atrophy. This makes the vulval and vaginal skin become:

• thinner and drier
• pale
• itchy.

Vaginal atrophy — Healthifyexternal link

Very rarely, vulval problems can be a sign of vulval cancer.

Vulva cancer — Healthifyexternal link

You should see your healthcare provider if:

• your symptoms do not go away
• you notice any lump that is new
• you have bleeding from your vulva.