An important pathology in our daily work is the one affecting the vulva. Excluding infectious pathology (folliculitis, candidiasis, erythema, herpes, papillomas…), tumoral or inflammatory pathology, which requires specific therapy based on drugs or specific actions, there are a number of pathologies that must be treated, as they affect the well-being of women in their daily life. It is easier to explain the different local treatments necessary for the vulva, and what they are for.
Pathology of the vulva: daily treatments available
- Moisturizers: in cases of vulvae irritated by the use of tight clothing, excessive hygiene or inadequate soaps, untreated menopause, regular use of compresses and urinary incontinence. These are preparations based on hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, aloe vera or chamomile. They can be applied several times a day, depending on the symptomatology.
- Gels/soaps: the vulva has an acid pH and the acid mantle that covers it is very labile and easy to destroy. Non-soapy products with an adequate pH should be used. The best are based on lactic acid, chamomile, burdock extract or benzydamine.
- Restorative agents: in situations such as, for example, after childbirth, vulvoperineal surgery or aggressive sexual intercourse. The best are based on centella asiatica, which can be combined with other components.
- Probiotics: after antibiotic treatments, or in cases of decreased immunity, it may be necessary to help improve the local flora with acidifying agents, such as lactic acid and derivatives.
- Local anesthetics: in situations that cause pain, such as post-surgery, hair removal with unsuitable systems, wounds or abrasions, there are a number of creams especially based on lidocaine or benzocaine that are extremely effective.
- Lubricants: they are recommended to improve sexual intercourse in cases of low lubricant secretion. They are based on lubricating substances that do not harm the vaginal flora and do not irritate. Many commercial lubricants containing, for example, menthol should be avoided in order to provoke a theoretically greater situation of pleasure, but which, on the other hand, are usually very irritating.
In any of the situations mentioned above, a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics should be consulted, who, after examination, will prescribe the best treatment and advise on how to avoid recurrence of these situations.