Swelling of the labia is observed in inflammatory diseases of the vulva, vagina, Bartholin glands. It can develop with candidiasis, nonspecific and specific infections, genital allergies, vulvodynia, neoplasms of the genital organs. Sometimes it becomes a consequence of urological pathologies, anasarca. The cause of the symptom is established according to the survey, gynecological examination, colposcopy, ultrasound, laboratory tests. Treatment includes antimicrobial, antihistamine, hormonal agents, physiotherapy, and surgical interventions.
Sometimes swelling is caused by wearing uncomfortable or irritating underwear. Shaving, various types of epilation of the intimate zone can act as a provoking factor. The labia is abundantly supplied with blood, against the background of arousal, blood rushes to the erogenous zones, so swelling occurs during sexual intercourse, masturbation, and erotic fantasies. The normal appearance of the external genital organs is restored within 1-2 hours, with prolonged stimulation, the presence of certain individual characteristics, changes can persist up to 10-12 hours.
Swelling of the labia during gestation is more noticeable in the second and third trimester, due to the activation of blood circulation in the small pelvis. The labia looks somewhat edematous, there are no pathological discharges, and there is no unpleasant odor. Another possible cause of the symptom is varicose veins of the labia due to uterine pressure. Swelling of the perineal area after childbirth is associated with the passage of the fetus through the birth canal, disappears within 2-3 weeks.
The first symptoms of bartholinitis are limited swelling and hyperemia of the labia minora in the exit zone of the duct of the Bartholin gland. Then the lower third of the labia majora swells on the same side, scanty purulent or serous discharge appears. There may be malaise, fever to subfebrile numbers, slight discomfort while walking.
With the formation of an abscess of the Bartholin gland, the edema rapidly increases, becomes diffuse. A woman complains of intense jerking pains, aggravated by sitting and walking. The pain syndrome is slightly reduced in the supine position with legs apart. Body temperature rises to febrile figures. On palpation, a sharply painful elastic tumor-like formation is determined, sometimes reaching the size of a chicken egg.
Small Bartholin gland cysts are asymptomatic. With an increase in education, there is a sensation of a foreign body in the perineal area, the likelihood of trauma, the development of an inflammatory process increases. Inflammation of the cyst and surrounding tissues is accompanied by swelling of the labia on the side of the lesion.
In acute vulvitis, severe swelling, hyperemia of the clitoris, labia are observed. Perhaps the formation of erosions and ulcers, the spread of inflammation to the region of the inguinal folds, the inner surface of the thighs. Patients complain of burning, itching, pain, which are aggravated by movement and touch. Infection with cocci is accompanied by profuse whitish-yellowish leucorrhoea. With candidiasis, the discharge is cheesy, white, in the form of loose flakes.
Along with nonspecific pathogens, vulvitis in girls can be caused by helminths. In chronic vulvitis in children and adults, all manifestations are smoothed out, swelling is moderate. In women with acute vaginitis, swelling of the labia is due to intense inflammation, reactive edema of adjacent anatomical zones.
When the process spreads from the vagina to the external genitalia, vulvovaginitis develops. Whiteness, irritation, a feeling of pressure and fullness, pain during urination and sexual intercourse, characteristic of vaginitis, are complemented by symptoms of vulvitis. Deterioration of the general condition is observed rarely.
Vaginitis, vulvitis, vulvovaginitis can be caused by both nonspecific and specific flora. An important sign that helps determine the cause of inflammatory edema is the type of leucorrhoea. Gonorrhea is accompanied by the appearance of a thick purulent white-yellow discharge. With trichomoniasis, the discharge is frothy, yellowish-green. In patients with gardnerellosis, the leucorrhoea is transparent, with an unpleasant fishy odor.
In primary syphilis, unlike the diseases listed above, there is no widespread edema. When a hard chancre is located on the labia in this anatomical zone, a painless or slightly painful rounded red erosion with a dense infiltrate at the base is revealed. An atypical variant of a hard chancre is an indurated edema - an area of so high density that pressure with a finger does not cause a depression.
At the initial stage of the disease, edema, redness of the large and small labia, paresthesia, symptoms of vulvodynia are detected. Subsequently, the swelling disappears, the skin and mucous membranes become rough, dry, wrinkled. The leading place in the clinical picture of kraurosis is occupied by persistent paroxysmal itching. Dyspareunia, urination and defecation disorders are possible.
Allergic reactions can occur to drugs, vaginal contraceptives, male sperm, cosmetics and hygiene products. The perineum, perianal region are affected. The most persistent symptoms are pruritus and erythema. The swelling is associated with a burning sensation in the vagina, worse after intercourse. Symptoms disappear 2-3 days after contact with the allergen is stopped.
Swelling of the labia is noted in a third of menstruating women with toxic shock syndrome. Chills, weakness, fever, muscle pain, diarrhea, repeated vomiting, specific skin rashes resembling a sunburn are detected. In severe cases, signs of damage to the respiratory system, liver and kidneys are found: transient pain in the abdomen and lower back, shortness of breath, cloudy urine, yellowness of the skin.
Small benign neoplasms are typically asymptomatic. With large neoplasia, there is a feeling of a foreign object in the perineum. Swelling of the vulva is observed with traumatization, inflammation, suppuration of tumors, complemented by pain syndrome. With a pronounced inflammatory process, weakness, weakness, and general hyperthermia are possible.
Cancer of the vulva in the early stages is manifested by paroxysmal itching and burning, aggravated at night. There is swelling, pain, bloody, serous or purulent discharge. Weeping is observed, ulcerations form on the skin. In the later stages, swelling spreads to the pubic area and lower limbs, supplemented by constipation, urinary disorders.
Swelling of the zone of the labia can be provoked by common infectious diseases, pathologies of blood vessels and internal organs. The cause of the symptom is:
The cause of the swelling is determined by the gynecologist. During the examination, a detailed study of the state of the external and internal genital organs is carried out, instrumental and laboratory diagnostic techniques are used. The most informative are the following procedures:
To reduce the swelling of the vulva help the rejection of uncomfortable underwear, irritating the skin and mucous membranes of intimate hygiene products. Regular hygiene procedures are required. In inflammatory processes, baths with decoctions of herbs, antiseptic solutions are shown. With an intense pain syndrome, a single dose of an analgesic is acceptable. Increasing swelling, foul-smelling or bloody discharge, severe pain, general disturbances are the reason for an immediate appeal to a gynecologist.
The treatment plan is drawn up individually after establishing the cause of swelling, a comprehensive assessment of the state of the reproductive organs. Etiopathogenetic and symptomatic agents are used. Drug therapy is supplemented with physiotherapeutic procedures, local techniques. With STIs, drugs are simultaneously prescribed to both sexual partners. The following groups of drugs are used:
Patients with acute vulvitis are prescribed SMT, UHF, UVI. In chronic inflammation, mud applications, ozocerite, paraffin, and infrared laser treatment are effective. Women with vulvar cancer undergo chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy.
In pathologies of the Bartholin glands, opening of abscesses, marsupialization, removal of a cyst or excision of the gland are performed. Indications for surgical interventions for benign neoplasia are the rapid growth of the neoplasm, the risk of malignancy, the woman's physical and psychological discomfort. Exophytic tumors are excised at the base, endophytic formations are husked. For cancer of the vulva, vulvectomy and lymphadenectomy are performed.