What's happened
Polyps look like spherical processes protruding above the mucous membrane of the affected area. Formations occur in both men and women.
In the first case, the pathological process affects the head of the genital organ, foreskin, scrotum, and the inner surface of the urethral opening.
In women, condylomas affect the labia, clitoris, cervix, vagina, and anal area. Vaginal formations are the most common and more difficult to treat.
Pointed warts are the most common. Such defects resemble a cock's comb and cause significant discomfort.
Flat polyps in the form of spots have an unpleasant odor. Papules affect the outer labia. If not treated promptly, any of these types can lead to serious consequences.
Tumor of the labia, how does it develop?
A tumor of the labia develops due to the pathological division of cells that cause tissue proliferation. They can be formed from any tissue that forms the external genitalia - adipose, connective, epithelial, glandular, vascular. Such a tumor of the labia is considered true (ICD 10 - D28.0) and can only be treated surgically.
In some cases, a tumor of the labia is nothing more than swelling caused by an inflammatory process - infection or allergy (ICD 10 - N76). In such cases, conservative treatment is carried out aimed at destroying pathogens and relieving inflammation.
Causes
The main cause of the development of the disease is infection with papillovirus infection. A tumor on the labia majora due to the activity of the microorganism sometimes leads to more serious pathologies, so this problem should be treated carefully.
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The penetration and activation of the virus is influenced by the following factors:
- Having herpes, gonorrhea and other STIs.
- Promiscuous sexual relations, earlier initiation of intimate life, unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Weakened immune system, lack of vitamins, constant nervous tension, depression.
- Regular visits to public baths, swimming pools, saunas.
- Using other people's hygiene products.
In addition, if the expectant mother became infected with HPV and suffered from polyps during pregnancy, the disease will be passed on to the child.
Bartholinitis
Very often, bumps on the labia appear due to inflammation of the Bartholin glands. They are localized at the entrance to the vagina and are located in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the labia majora. The Bartholin gland synthesizes a mucous secretion that forms in the vagina on the eve of sexual intercourse. Blockage of the excretory ducts of these glands leads to an inflammatory process in the organ, resulting in neoplasms in the form of small bumps. This disease often occurs in women who do not pay due attention to personal hygiene.
How do symptoms develop?
- The specificity of the disease is such that symptoms do not appear immediately;
- 1-2 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory process, a seal forms on the inside of the labia majora;
- The ball begins to hurt and cause discomfort, especially when wearing tight underwear;
- The large lips swell, there is a burning sensation and pain in the perineum;
- Suppuration and effusion of exudate are possible, but more often this does not happen.
Bartholinitis does not require specific treatment, however, in its complete absence, women experience frequent relapses of the inflammatory process. At the same time, a new disease begins - a Bartholin gland cyst. In this case, surgical treatment is used, since alternative therapeutic methods become powerless. If the lump begins to suppurate during bartholinitis, there is a sharp deterioration in general well-being, pain during sexual intercourse, and an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees. It should be emphasized that bartholinitis during pregnancy can provoke spontaneous abortion.
If you have been diagnosed with bartholinitis, our experienced specialists will select a course of gentle antibiotic treatment for you or use surgical tactics to excise the cyst. Do not forget to maintain your health after treatment, maintain good personal hygiene and use contraceptives when changing partners. Know that bartholinitis can also develop due to parasitism of pathogenic microorganisms in your individual microflora. Often the disease is a consequence of trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Symptoms
At the initial stages, condylomas do not manifest themselves in any way, so at this stage the pathology is discovered by chance during a preventive examination by a gynecologist.
As the disease progresses, polyps cause discomfort when walking, sexual intercourse, burning sensation, itching, and pain.
Sex and wearing tight underwear can damage the growths. When trauma occurs, neoplasms bleed and infection enters the bloodstream, leading to an abscess and sepsis, so it is important not to let the pathological process progress to such a state.
Symptoms of labia tumors
Symptoms of a tumor of the labia are characterized by their increase in size, swelling and redness.
Infectious diseases, allergies and irritations cause common symptoms:
- severe itching and burning;
- pain that increases with touch and movement;
- the appearance of cracks, ulcers, erosions or blisters;
- copious discharge with unusual consistency, color and odor.
Tumors of the labia of infectious origin are accompanied by symptoms of intoxication - severe weakness, increased fatigue, increased body temperature. Constant itching interferes with sleep and leads to increased irritability and nervousness.
A benign tumor of the labia, larger than 1 cm, stretches the tissue, causing a feeling of fullness and pressure. A woman feels a foreign body in the perineum, discomfort and pain during movement and sexual intercourse. When the surface of the labia tumor is injured, severe swelling, pain, and bleeding appear.
Diagnostics
If alarming symptoms appear in the labia area, you should consult a gynecologist. The specialist will study the medical history, conduct an external examination of the affected area using a mirror and detect neoplasms that are easy to palpate.
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After this, urethroscopy is performed to examine the condition of the reproductive and urinary systems. Anoscopy is performed to examine the anal area.
A cytological examination will allow you to study the condition of the cervix. To exclude the malignant nature of the growths, colposcopy is prescribed.
Treatment
It is impossible to completely get rid of the cause of warts, but complex therapy will achieve long-term remission. To suppress the activity of the virus, immunostimulants and antiviral drugs are prescribed.
Polyps on the labia respond well to drug treatment. Sometimes they resort to surgical excision of the growths, after which scars remain. Most often, the operation is replaced by modern and painless procedures.
Laser removal is a highly effective way to get rid of condylomas, but such manipulation is expensive, as is the use of radio wave therapy. These two methods are painless, do not lead to complications, do not injure healthy structures, and do not cause bleeding.
It is also worth highlighting cryodestruction. Using liquid nitrogen, the affected area is frozen and falls off. However, this procedure is ineffective and is contraindicated in cases of damage to the internal organs of the reproductive system.
Treatment of labia tumors
A tumor of the labia can be treated with medication or surgery, depending on the type and cause of its formation. In some cases, the use of medications is not required, and it is possible to remove the tumor at home.
Drug treatment and surgery
How to treat a tumor of the labia? Drug treatment is prescribed if an infection is diagnosed. Drugs are selected after identifying the causative agent and its sensitivity to anti-infective agents.
For yeast infections, antifungal drugs are prescribed for internal and external use: Fluconazole, Nystatin, Clotrimazole, Klion-D. At the same time, beneficial bacteria are prescribed to normalize the microflora - Normobact, Linex, Bifidumbacterin.
If a tumor of the labia occurs due to a bacterial infection, the treatment regimen includes a variety of drugs:
- Orally: Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Clindamycin.
- Vaginally: Fluomizin, Metrogyl, Betadine, Terzhinan, Hexicon.
Surgical removal of a labia tumor is not always required. Watchful waiting is chosen when the tumor is small and does not cause concern. A woman is recommended to come for an examination every 3-5 months to monitor the growth of the tumor.
Papillomas and small hemangiomas can be removed using cryodestruction, electrocoagulation or laser cauterization. Excision with a scalpel is carried out for large growths, more than 1-2 cm in diameter.
The tumor near the labia is excised at the base, then to avoid bleeding, the wound surface is cauterized with a laser or electric current. Tumors located in the thickness of the labia are peeled out, then sutures are placed on the wound.
A malignant tumor of the labia always requires removal, even if it is small in size. After surgery, anti-relapse treatment is carried out - radiation or chemotherapy. At the first stage of cancer, minimally invasive operations are performed, but as the tumor grows, removal of appendages is required to prevent metastasis.
How to remove swelling of the labia at home?
If the cause of swelling is irritation or sex, you can relieve the swelling at home.
Treatment methods:
- Brew a handful of chamomile, calendula or sage in a liter of boiling water, strain. Use for washing or bathing.
- For baths, washing and douching, you can use a 1 liter solution of baking soda. Take a tablespoon of baking soda in warm water and stir thoroughly. You can add 3 drops of iodine.
- For swelling of the labia minora after sex, you can apply cold complexes - moisten gauze in boiled cold water or chilled chamomile decoction.
- Squeeze the juice from aloe leaves, use to lubricate the affected area and lotions.
- Apply crushed cabbage leaves to the labia.
- Lotions with kefir or natural yogurt will help relieve itching due to swelling of the labia caused by fungi.
The listed methods can be used if swelling of the labia is caused by an infection, but not as a treatment, but to relieve symptoms before visiting a doctor.
Complications
If the pathology is neglected and medical recommendations are not followed, then polyps often lead to various complications.
Promiscuous sexual intercourse, failure to comply with intimate hygiene rules, wearing tight underwear, constant trauma to growths, and self-removal of defects at home lead to infection.
Penetration of infection causes sepsis, requiring immediate, severe therapy. When the immune system is weakened, the virus spreads to other areas. In advanced cases, condylomas lead to cervical dysplasia or the development of a malignant process.
How to prevent swollen labia?
To prevent swelling of the labia, the following rules must be followed:
- maintain intimate hygiene;
- refuse scented hygiene products;
- wear natural underwear;
- if lubrication is insufficient, use lubricants during sex;
- visit a gynecologist regularly;
- treat chronic diseases;
- exclude promiscuity.
If a malignant tumor of the labia is diagnosed, the prognosis and reviews of which leave much to be desired, it is necessary to follow all medical recommendations and, even after recovery, undergo examinations to prevent the development of a relapse.
Be healthy!
Forecast
Often the prognosis for growths on the labia is favorable. Most often, warts can be discovered during gynecological examinations for other reasons, making treatment effective.
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Only timely and comprehensive therapy can achieve long-term remission and protect against dangerous consequences.
If the disease is started and you do not pay attention to the alarming symptoms, then the process progresses. In severe cases, neoplasms transform into a malignant tumor and lead to the development of cervical cancer. In such conditions, the prognosis worsens significantly.
