Associated symptoms
Depending on the cause, the accompanying symptoms may also vary. Bartholinitis can lead to an abscess. This is a cavity filled with pus.
In this case other general signs of inflammation such as redness and warming of the skin occur. Inflammation in the vaginal area can lead to unspecific itching, burning, redness, pain during urination and/or sexual intercourse and possibly changes in vaginal discharge. The lymph nodes in the groin region may also be enlarged.
Depending on the pathogen, typical symptoms such as whitish deposits in a fungal infection or blisters in a herpes virus infection may also occur. The lichen sclerosus et atrophicus triggers skin changes such as whitish shiny skin and reddening of the skin, itching, burning sensation and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Papillomas and condylomas can also cause itching, burning and additionally a feeling of wetness.
Malignant changes may cause itching long before visible changes occur. Burning and pain can also occur. Dark skin changes and whitish mucous membrane are another sign of malignant changes.
Treatment
The therapy of choice for bartholinitis is a so-called marsupialization. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the swelling, the edges of the Bartholin glands are turned outwards and sutured to the labia. If an abscess is present, the pus is drained and tested for pathogens if necessary.
In the case of inflammation in the vaginal area, the therapy depends on the pathogen in question.In herpes infections, antivirals such as Aciclovir are used locally or in severe cases in tablet form, fungal infections are treated with antifungal drugs such as Clotrimazole. For bacterial inflammations, antibiotics such as metronidazole in tablet or ointment form are used. If necessary, the sexual partner must also be treated if sexually transmitted diseases are involved.
There is no causal treatment for Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Symptoms like itching can be treated locally with corticosteroid creams. Condylomas should first be treated with the antiviral drug Imiquimod to reduce the extent of the warts.
Afterwards, the lesions can be removed with the help of CO2 laser, cold therapy (cryotherapy) or a sling. Since condylomas are caused by the human papilloma virus, vaccination against the most common strains can protect against the disease in advance. For the treatment of malignant changes, the therapy depends on the stage.
In the case of preliminary stages, removal is carried out by laser or surgery. In the case of carcinomas, these are cut out as far as possible and, depending on the location of the tumor, radio-, chemo- or radiation therapy is used.