Benign disease of the vulva

This chapter aims to enhance knowledge and skills in patient assessment, vulval examination, and treatment of vulval disease, specifically dermatological conditions and vulval pain. The prompt identification and treatment of vulval conditions can reduce anxiety, alleviate symptoms, and preserve an acceptable level of functioning for patients. Often simple measures can benefit the patient (e.g. use of emollients), but many have complex disease and can present with more than one condition so careful assessment and individualized management is essential. Combining treatment strategies is sometimes needed. Vulvodynia is not a skin condition but a chronic pain syndrome and is also covered in this chapter. It is important that health professionals work within their own competencies. Patients with complicated, rare, and treatment-refractory disease should be referred on to a vulval service for a multidisciplinary opinion.