Genital diseases in the mature woman.

Vulvovaginal conditions are common in mature women. This reflects age-related changes in immunity and skin barrier function of vulvovaginal tissues. Vaginal atrophy is commonly complicated by dryness and inflammation, which makes postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis a virtually ubiquitous condition. The differential of vaginitis includes inflammatory, infectious, and malignant diseases, plus drug hypersensitivity. Atrophic vaginitis is treated with estrogen replacement therapy. Vulvovaginal malignant melanoma occurs predominantly in postmenopausal women and carries a poor prognosis. Similarly, the incidence of vulvovaginal malignancies, such as squamous cell carcinoma and extramammary Paget disease, rises exponentially after 65 years of age. Early diagnosis of these malignancies is of utmost importance. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and vulvovaginal candidosis are among the most common postmenopausal vulvovaginal conditions. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is associated with significant morbidity, and its management can be challenging. The incidence of vulvovaginal candidosis increases in patients on estrogen replacement therapy.

Parturition after vestibulectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Provoked vestibulodynia is the most common cause of sexual pain in premenopausal women. Vulvar vestibulectomy has been shown to be an effective treatment. AIM: To determine the optimum route of parturition in women who become pregnant after vulvar vestibulectomy. METHODS: All women who underwent a complete vulvar vestibulectomy by one of four surgeons were contacted between 12 and 72 months after surgery. For all women who had a term pregnancy and subsequent delivery, the research assistant abstracted data from the charts. Descriptive statistics were applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of women who underwent a delivery after a vestibulectomy, mode of delivery, and rate of perineal lacerations. RESULTS: Of 109 women, 44 (40%) had undergone at least one term pregnancy and delivery; 23 (52%) were vaginal, and 21 (48%) were cesarean deliveries. Of the vaginal deliveries, 11 (48%) were over an intact perineum. Three (13%) women had a midline episiotomy, none of which extended into third or fourth degree lacerations and one woman (4.4%) sustained a spontaneous fourth degree perineal laceration. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery after vulvar vestibulectomy appears to be a safe option, with no increased perineal morbidity above the general population. Furthermore, it is not an indication for a cesarean delivery.