{"id":17691,"date":"2025-04-07T12:30:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T11:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/?page_id=17691"},"modified":"2025-11-08T12:52:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T12:52:11","slug":"vaginas-vulvas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/gynae\/vaginas-vulvas\/","title":{"rendered":"Problems with vaginas and vulvas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bartholin\u2019s cyst<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Differences in sex development<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
FGM<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Licen sclerosus<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Labial fusion<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Lumps and external changes<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Pelvic organ prolapse<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Pelvic pain<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Pudendal neuralgia<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
STIs<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Thrush <\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Vaginal dryness<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Vaginismus<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Vulvodynia<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Vulvovaginitis<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Bartholin\u2019s cyst<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

A Bartholin\u2019s cyst, also called a Bartholin\u2019s duct cyst, is a small fluid-filled sac just inside the opening of the vagina that usually doesn\u2019t cause any problems and is not painful but might be noticeable as a soft lump.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Bartholin\u2019s cyst \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Differences in sex development<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

DSD is a group of rare conditions involving genes, hormones and reproductive organs, including genitals. It means the way a person\u2019s sexual organs develop is different to most other people.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Disorders of sex development \u2013 Alder Hey Children\u2019s Hospital<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>Differences in sex development \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>Information for the transgender, non-binary and intersex communities \u2013 The Eve Appeal<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Female genital mutilation (FGM)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but there\u2019s no medial reason for this to be done. It\u2019s also known as female circumcision or cutting. It is illegal in the UK and is child abuse.<\/p>\n

FGM is very painful and can seriously harm your health. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>FGM \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>FGM \u2013 Barnardo\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>FGM with Mama Sylla – podcast episode – Barnardo\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/div>
<\/div>

If you know someone who has experienced FGM you have a legal duty in this country to report it to the police. If you have experienced it yourself, you can receive support for the physical changes to your body and counselling support for the psychological trauma.<\/p>\n<\/div>

If you have experienced FGM it\u2019s very important you are checked by a medical professional. Some people need an operation to address the damage done to them. This can help them to have normal periods, prevent long-term health problems and give birth naturally.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>FGM advice and information \u2013 Dorset Police<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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How to report FGM in Dorset \u2013 Dorset Police<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Licen sclerosus<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that causes itchy white patches, most commonly on the genitals. There\u2019s no cure, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Licen sclerosus treatment \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Labial fusion<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Labial fusion, or labial adhesion, is when the small inner lips around the entrance to the vagina become sealed together. In some cases, this can completely seal the vaginal opening, leaving a very small gap at the front that pee passes through. It\u2019s fairly common in girls under seven years old and is usually nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Labial fusion \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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<\/i> Labial fusion information leaflet \u2013 BritSPAG<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Lumps and external changes<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

If you notice a new lump or other physical change to your vulva, vagina, pelvic floor or breasts, even if it is not painful, you should talk to your doctor. Lumps and physical changes can often be easily treated but, less commonly, can be early signs of cancer. It is important to get them checked.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Pelvic organ prolapse<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

During or after pregnancy, some people can experience a uterine prolapse. This is where pelvic organs like the womb, bowel and bladder bulge down into the vagina.<\/p>\n

While not life-threatening, it can cause pain and discomfort, complicate pregnancy and periods and affect your sex life. It can also cause bladder and bowel leaks.<\/p>\n<\/div>

For further information on pelvic organ prolapse, visit our page on pelvic health:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Let’s talk about pelvic health<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Pelvic pain<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

There are lots of different causes of pelvic pain and it can take a long time to work out the cause.<\/p>\n<\/div>

For further information on pelvic organ prolapse, visit our page on pelvic health:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Let’s talk about pelvic health<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Pudendal neuralgia<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The main symptom of pudendal neuralgia is sharp, shooting, burning or tingling pain (nerve pain) or numbness in your vagina, vulva, clitoris or your anus.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Pudendal neuralgia \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Symptoms of an STI can include unusual discharge from your vagina or anus, pain when peeing, lumps or skin growths around your genitals or bottom (anus), a rash, unusual vaginal bleeding, itchy genitals or anus, blisters, sores or warts around your genitals or anus.<\/p>\n<\/div>

For further information on STIs, visit our page on sexual health:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Let’s talk about sexual health<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Thrush (candida)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Thrush is a common yeast infection that you may experience around the vagina and vulva. It\u2019s usually harmless but it can be uncomfortable and keep coming back.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Thrush \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Vaginal Dryness<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Vaginal dryness is a common problem that many people have at some point in their lives. You may feel sore or itchy in and around your vagina, feel pain or discomfort during sex, need to pee more often than usual or keep getting urinary tract infections (UTIs). These things may make you feel less like you want to have sex, but there are things that can help.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Vaginal dryness \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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For further information on sexual health:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Let’s talk about sexual health<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Vaginismus<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Vaginismus is when the vagina suddenly tightens up when you try to insert something into it. It can be painful and upsetting, but it can be treated. Anyone with a vagina can get it.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Vaginismus \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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For further information on sexual health:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Let’s talk about sexual health<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

VIN is when abnormal cells develop in the top layer of skin covering the vulva. It is not vulval cancer but could\u00a0turn into cancer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) – Cancer Research UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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<\/i>Causes of vulval cancer – NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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For further information on women’s cancers, visit our page on cancer:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
Let’s talk about cancer<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Vulvodynia<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Vulvodynia is pain in the vulva that lasts at least three months and does not have a specific cause. It can have a big effect on your life, but there are treatments that can help.<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i>Vulvodynia \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Vulvovaginitis<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Vulvovaginitis is soreness and swelling in and around the vagina and vulva. It\u2019s common, usually treatable, and does not affect your periods.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Vaginitis \u2013 NHS UK<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i>Vulvovaginitis information leaflet \u2013 BritSPAG<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":16346,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17691","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17691"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18979,"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17691\/revisions\/18979"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ourdorset.org.uk\/women\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}