Vulval Ulcers

This condition is treated in the Gynaecology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

Patients may be referred for chronic vulva irritation, vulva abscesses, and vulva ulceration.

Vulvar Cancer; see Gynaecological-Oncology Clinic.

All referrals should comply with referral standards and include in particular:

• History of condition, including itch, discharge,
• Menopausal status
• Obstetric and gynaecological history, and sexual history
• Current and past treatments and efficacy of same
• Good description of the lesion - pigmented, bleeding, ulcerated
• Presence or absence of chronic diseases such as Crohn's

Tests

• Swab - m/c/s if indicated
• STD screen including swab of ulcer for herpes, serology for syphilis
• Biopsy of chronic lesions - if within skill set of GP
• Pap smear
• Exclude UTI

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gynaecology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Moisturisers - bland emollients such as Zinc/Castor oil cream.

Treat Herpes Simplex with appropriate anti-virals. Hospitalisation may be needed if unable to urinate

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

? Ulcers in menopausal patients

? Ulcers that haven't healed with short course of emollients or mild steroid cream

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital (Level 5)
Phone:  1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5214

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455 
Fax: 6441 5928

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 8)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6173 0473