For individuals with chronic vulvar symptoms and/or asymptomatic vulvar conditions or lesions
The Vulvar Disease Clinic at the BCCVH assesses and manages people with chronic vulvar symptoms (more than 3 months of symptoms) and/or asymptomatic vulvar conditions or lesions. At Vancouver Coastal Health we have been running a clinic focused on vulvar disorders since 1991. In 2017, we expanded and enhanced our services by adding in additional health care providers and additional clinics.
People with vulvar diseases present with a range of symptoms and signs. A common symptom of many vulvar diseases is vulvar itch. Individuals may also experience vulvar burning, soreness, rawness, or pain. They may experience difficulty with daily living activities, and sexual activities. People may also notice changes to their skin, physical lesions (sores, ulcers) on their skin, and or abnormal bleeding or discharge in the area. Unfortunately, many vulvar diseases have similar symptoms and signs and it requires an expert to diagnoses the specific disease.
Please see our Health Information section for general information about how to take care of your skin and detailed information about skin conditions. Individuals with benign vulvar diseases will often benefit from seeing other health care providers in the Centre (eg. psychologist or physiotherapist) to address their overall health concerns related to their vulvar condition.
Contact dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosus, lichen planus
Plasma cell vulvitis, hidradenitis suppurtiva, vulvar Crohn's disease
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vulvovaginal atrophy)
Chronic ulcers, condyloma in immunocompromised patients
Complex benign vulvar masses which have failed initial management
*** Please note we do not accept referrals for the following conditions: yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, condyloma in immune competent individuals, Bartholin's cysts, cosmetic vulvar surgery, benign or suspicious vulvar lesions which can be biopsied by community gynecologists.
Vancouver Coastal Health provides health care services through a network of hospitals, primary care clinics, community health centres and residential care homes. Search our health care services in Vancouver, Richmond, North and West Vancouver and along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Sunshine Coast and BC’s Central Coast.
