{"id":4123,"date":"2021-11-30T18:25:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T18:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innoxtech.in\/demo\/2021\/11\/30\/whos-at-risk-for-vulvovaginal-disease\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T06:02:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T06:02:45","slug":"whos-at-risk-for-vulvovaginal-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innoxtech.co.in\/bostonurogyn\/whos-at-risk-for-vulvovaginal-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Who\u2019s at Risk for Vulvovaginal Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sexual discomfort can be a source of anxiety in personal relationships. For about 20% of US women<\/a> that may mean dealing with dyspareunia<\/a>, or recurrent pain related to sexual activity. <\/p>\n

Many conditions can lead to dyspareunia, including vulvovaginal disease<\/a>, a group of conditions that affect the external area of your vagina. Vulvovaginal disease can lead to more serious problems if not treated properly. <\/p>\n

Women in the Boston, Massachusetts, area looking for relief from sexual discomfort can get help from Dr. Neeraj Kohli<\/a> here at BostonUrogyn<\/a>. We offer advanced technology and customized care to treat an array of urogynecological issues, including vulvovaginal disease.<\/p>\n

Types and risk factors of vulvovaginal disease<\/h2>\n

The characteristic burning, stinging, and other painful sensations associated with vulvovaginal disease may be the result of one of these conditions:<\/p>\n

Vulvodynia<\/h3>\n

Specifically referring to chronic pain and discomfort in the vulva (vaginal opening), vulvodynia can become so painful<\/a> that sitting for a long time becomes unbearable. It\u2019s idiopathic, meaning the cause largely isn\u2019t understood, and can last months or years, depending on the severity.<\/p>\n

Women with injuries, allergies, or sensitive skin in the vulvar region, along with past vaginal infections, or those dealing with hormonal changes are at risk for vulvodynia.<\/p>\n

Vulvodynia may lead to sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and altered body image. <\/p>\n

Lichen sclerosus<\/h3>\n

This type of vulvovaginal disease causes thin, white patches of skin<\/a> to form in your genital and anal area, as well as redness, itching, tearing, bleeding, and in severe cases, ulcerated sores. <\/p>\n

Lichen sclerosus isn\u2019t common but postmenopausal women are at greater risk. A hormone imbalance, previous skin damage, or an overactive immune system also increase your risk.<\/p>\n

Complications of lichen sclerosus include constipation, urinary retention, and an increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)<\/h3>\n

VIN is a precancerous skin lesion<\/a> affecting the vulva that takes two forms, usual and differentiated. <\/p>\n

The usual type is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV). The differentiated type is often connected to other problems like lichen sclerosus and erosive lichen planus<\/a>. Chronic inflammatory skin disease is common with differentiated VIN, which starts around age 60.<\/p>\n

Treating vulvovaginal disease<\/h2>\n

A range of treatments are available to treat vulvovaginal disease, including:<\/p>\n