Genital sores (female)

Considerations:
Sores or lesions on the female genitalia may have many causes. Often, the lesions of most concern are those seen with sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Venereal warts , syphilis , genital herpes , chancroid , molluscum contagiosum , and granuloma inguinale are STDs that cause visible and fairly classic appearing lesions.

Non-sexually transmitted diseases may also produce lesions on the genitalia. In young girls (before puberty), nonspecific vulvovaginitis , atopic dermatitis , and contact dermatitis are common causes of genital lesions. Lichen planus , seborrheic dermatitis , and vitiligo are less common causes.

Because genital lesions (genital sores) often adversely affect a person's self image, many individuals do not seek proper medical care. These lesions may be caused by a malignancy or a sexually transmitted disease, and in every case should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Itching , painful urination or painful sexual intercourse often accompany genital lesions which can appear anywhere on the vulva (external female genital area).

Common Causes:

Note: There may be other causes of genital sores on a woman or girl. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as exact location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for genital sores, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Avoid self treatment before seeing a doctor. It can mask the symptoms and make diagnosis of the cause of the sore more difficult.

A sitz bath may be recommended to relieve itching and crusting. Moist lesions can be dried by using a heat lamp.

If caused by a sexually transmitted disease, the sexual partner should be notified and treated and all sexual activity should be discontinued until the lesion(s) are no longer contagious.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • there are any unexplained genital lesions.
  • a sexually-transmitted disease is suspected.
  • there is any change in the lesion(s).



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

  • type of lesion

  • other descriptors
    • What color is the lesion?
    • How big is it?
    • Does it itch ?
    • Is it scaly?
    • Does the border look distinct (sharp) or blurry?

  • time pattern
    • When did you first notice the lesion?
    • How long have you had it?
    • Have you ever had a similar lesion in the past?

  • distribution
    • Does the size of the lesion spread?
    • Is there an increasing number of lesions?
    • Is there one lesion or multiple lesions?

  • location
    • Exactly where on the genitals is the lesion located?

  • other

The physical examination will probably include a pelvic examination.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

Intervention:
Treatment may include medications that are applied to the skin or that are taken internally. The type of medication varies depending on the cause, but may include corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, or antipruritic (non-itching) substances.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to genital lesions to your personal medical record.


This is the typical appearance of the raised type of genital wart. They may produce large, cauliflower-like lesions. Less than one third of genital warts are raised. Most are difficult to see and require the application of acetic acid to be made visible. Genital warts is a sexually transmitted disease but individuals may be unaware that they are infected and subsequently pass the virus on to an unsuspecting partner. Genital warts are cause by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and in combination with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), is thought to play a role in cancer of the cervix.



Ulcer formation on the labia associated with genital herpes. These lesions are extremely painful. Episodes may recur frequently or infrequently. The virus persists throughout life, although the frequency of outbreaks tends to decrease with time.



This is a severe case of genital warts, also called condyloma (accuminata), on the labia.



This is a severe case of genital herpes. Note the marked redness (erythema) and lesions scattered over a wide area of skin. The brownish discoloration is dried fluid that has seeped from the herpes lesions.



This is a severe case of genital herpes. Note the marked redness (erythema) and lesions scattered over a wide area of skin. The brownish discoloration is dried fluid that has seeped from the herpes lesions.