Ankylosing spondylitis and your vagina and urinary tract
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inherited chronic inflammatory condition that affects bones and joints, with links to the microbiome.
The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet
An overview of the autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, to help manage and understand chronic illness.
Scleroderma and your sex life
Scleroderma can present some challenges to women when it comes to sex and enjoying your vagina, with not much research into this aspect of a scleroderma diagnosis.
Pemphigus vulgaris
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune condition that affects the mucous membranes, including the vagina and vulva. If left untreated, pemphigus vulgaris can be fatal.
Mucous membrane pemphigoid
Mucous membrane pemphigoid is an autoimmune condition that affects mucous membranes, including those of the vulva. Mucous membrane pemphigoid can also affect the eyes, causing blisters to appear.
Study: the link between BV and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and colitis)
There is a positive association between IBD and BV bacteria, with worse outcomes for those on steroids treatment.
Genital lupus
Vulvar itching and lesions are an uncommon element of lupus in some women, however these symptoms are not often discussed in doctor's appointments. Vaginal or vulvar symptoms of lupus can cause great discomfort and shame for women.
Crohn’s disease and your vulva and vagina
Crohn's disease can also affect the vagina and vulva, however vulvovaginal or gynaecological symptoms in women may be missed, and can be hard to treat.
Vulvovaginal-gingival lichen planus (or syndrome) (VVG-LP)
Vulvovaginal-gingival syndrome (or vulvovaginal-gingival lichen planus) is a rare variety of lichen planus affecting both the mouth and the vulva/vagina.
Vulvovaginal lichen planus (LP)
There are several different types of lichen planus, a lichenoid condition that can affect the vulva and the mouth. Lichen planus can affect keratinisation of the skin on any part of the body, causing thickening and hardening of skin.
Erosive lichen planus (ELP)
Erosive lichen planus is a chronic ulcerative condition of the mouth, vulva and vagina, being a different condition to cutaneous lichen planus. Erosive lichen planus causes ulcerations.
Oral pilocarpine can moisten a dry vagina
A study shows that oral pilocarpine can offer those on chemotherapy relief from vaginal dryness with mild side effects.
Genital psoriasis
Managing vulvar psoriasis means finding strategies to reduce the frequency and severity of your attacks, since genital psoriasis does not have a cure just yet.
Lichen sclerosus (LS)
Lichen sclerosus is an autoimmune skin condition of the vulva and anal area that can range from minor itching and skin thickening, to serious scarring and the fusing of the labia and clitoris.
Sjogren’s syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is a condition whereby all the moisture-producing glands in the body dry up. This can cause some problems in the vagina, since moisture is an integral part of the function of the vagina.
Understanding and treating scleroderma
Scleroderma is a skin-hardening autoimmune condition that can affect the vagina and vulva, as well as the rest of the body. The condition can make using your vagina and vulva more challenging, including sex.
Understanding the vaginal fistula
A vaginal fistula is an abnormal opening between the vagina and another organ, often caused by childbirth, surgery, or diseases like Crohn's. Symptoms vary based on the affected tissue but may include incontinence, foul-smelling discharge, and painful sex. Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and possibly imaging tests.