What is it?

Vulvar ulceration refers to a condition which is characterized by breaks in the skin around the vagina or in the mucous membranes of the vulva. Causes for vulvar ulcers may include sexual interactions, sextual transmitted infections, injury and irritation to the vulva. Acute reactive ulcers are caused due to another illness, are usually painful but go away after a few weeks. Recurrent ulcers may appear regularly, usually around regular times such as before menstruation and are typically smaller. Vulvar ulcers may also be the cause of autoimmune conditions such as Behchet disease, bacterial infections, conditions that cause diarrhea, viral infections such as EBV, mumps or HIV and parasitic infections.