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Vulva and Vagina
Vulva and Vagina
Vulvitis and vaginitis are very common
infections. They are often fungal or parasitic infections rather
than bacterial because most bacteria cannot survive in the acid
vaginal secretions. Bacteria may infect the vagina if the pH rises
so that the vagina becomes less acid.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as gonorrhoea, can cause
infertility. Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection of the vagina,
which may spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Another STD is
caused by chlamydia, very small bacteria with many similarities to
viruses. These are increasingly recognised as an important cause of
‘non-specific urethritis’ (NSU), which may lead to vaginal
discharge. Syphilis is a serious, though fortunately uncommon,
bacterial STD which can be passed to the developing foetus.
Untreated syphilis causes infertility and is eventually fatal.
Herpes viruses can infect the vulva causing genital herpes.
Carcinoma of the vulva is responsible for about 5% of
gynaecological cancers. It usually begins in old age as a small
ulcer or lump. Cancer of the vagina is rare.
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