High School Discussion on Vulva: Signs, Diagnosis, and Romantic Advice
Get the lowdown on how hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) could impact the vaginal area. Here's what you need to know about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, as well as its effect on relationships and ways to manage this chronic condition.
HS doesn't pick its battles. When it rears its head near your nether regions, it can bring physical and mental health issues. But what's the deal with HS when it comes to relationships? Can your partner catch it? What's the treatment?
You've got questions, and we've got answers. Understanding HS can help you make wise choices regarding treatment and how to discuss it with your significant other. This inflammatory skin condition, though irritating, can be managed with the right information and care.
What is HS in a Nutshell?
HS affects areas of the body containing sweat glands. It targets roughly 1% to 4% of the population, with females taking the brunt (3 times more frequent than males). It typically emerges:
- in underarms
- where skin rubs together in the groin
- beneath breasts
- around the anus
And it can appear on the scrotum, vulva, buttocks, perineum – just not the labia. If HS shows up elsewhere on the body, it might be a clue for you.
Premature ducts and glands can form beneath the skin, leading to lumps, tunnels, pain, drainage, and scarring when the condition flares.
Spotting HS
Diagnosing HS can be tricky and often takes years. Don't be surprised if you've got it and haven't realized it yet. A study from Germany shows that people often wait a decade for the correct diagnosis, usually given by a dermatologist.
HS usually starts with a tender lump below the skin, resembling pimples or boils. Clearing up is short-lived, as the bumps may return in the same spot, sometimes larger or presenting as multiple bumps. Keep an eye out for open blackheads, too.
Before bumps materialize, your groin region may feel swollen, itchy, or bruised. Once bumps appear, they may connect via tunnels and fill with fluid, causing pain. The bumps may ultimately burst, draining pus and blood. Over time, repeated open wounds can create black spots and scars.
HS can manifest in the perianal area, scrotum, or skin folds at the tops of the legs.
If medication and your doctor's advice haven't helped with your genital bumps, it's wise to request a referral to a dermatologist. Since HS is frequently mistaken for other conditions, a specialist can help you get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Dealing with HS
HS remains incurable, but effective treatment options exist. Early diagnosis paves the way for a brighter future, with promising new biologic drugs on the horizon for HS management.
Your dermatologist might:
- suggest an antibacterial wash or a topical antibiotic, possibly steroid injections to address inflammation
- prescribe an oral antibiotic as second-line treatment
- recommend a biologic drug, like adalimumab, to tame inflammation. Other biologic drugs are being tested.
- suggest surgical removal or drainage of problem areas
While dealing with a flare, pain medication might be necessary. Your doctor may also help you find resources for anxiety and depression treatment, common among those dealing with HS.
Intimacy with HS
Having the HS conversation with your partner might be intimidating, but it can help strengthen your bond. When you feel comfortable doing so, introducing the topic can put your relationship on the path to understanding.
It's smart not to discuss HS with every new acquaintance. As the relationship deepens, you may find sharing this information helpful, especially if it influences sexual positions, personal hygiene, or emotional well-being.
HS may affect your sex life in various ways:
- Some positions might be uncomfortable or painful, depending on the flare-up.
- Depression and anxiety are common among those with HS, which can impact intimacy and self-confidence.
Starting small by discussing sexual health in general can help you broach the topic and its effects on your relationship. A gentle approach may create an atmosphere of understanding and compassion.
Your healthcare provider can also suggest techniques for reducing pain and flare-ups, making intimacy more enjoyable. Additionally, they can furnish resources for mental and sexual health support, like therapy or counseling.
Is HS an STI?
Put your worries to rest: HS is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Your partner can't catch it from you. HS has a genetic component, but other risk factors, such as altered skin microbiota, can also contribute to its development.
It's wise to remind your partner that HS is not contagious. Practicing good hygiene and open communication can help them better understand the condition and provide the support you need.
Other Possible Conditions
HS typically attacks skin folds that rub together. To rule out other conditions causing genital bumps, consider:
- Bartholin's and epidermoid cysts, presenting as lumps on the labia
- abscesses, infected lumps caused by bacteria or other microorganisms
- boils, infected hair follicles starting as pimples
- carbuncles, clusters of boils
- Crohn's disease, with lumps appearing in the perianal, groin, or vulva area
- genital warts, flat, painless bumps caused by human papillomavirus
- genital herpes, painful blisters resembling rashes
- enlarged lymph nodes, potentially signaling a clearing infection
Reach out to your doctor if you're unsure about a bump or lump in the groin.
In a Nutshell
Getting an early and accurate diagnosis of HS is crucial, as it rules out other conditions and improves long-term outcomes. With tailored treatments, you can manage HS and maintain a healthy, open relationship with your partner.
- HS, or hidradenitis suppurativa, can appear on various parts of the body containing sweat glands, such as the genital area, but it does not usually occur on the labia.
- Despite HS not being a sexually transmitted infection, it can impact intimacy due to discomfort or pain during certain sexual positions, as well as anxiety and depression, common among those with HS.
- Early diagnosis of HS can pave the way for effective treatment options, and, in turn, help manage the condition and its impact on relationships more effectively.
- Seeking accurate diagnosis is essential to rule out other possible conditions causing genital bumps, such as Bartholin's cysts, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, Crohn's disease, genital warts, genital herpes, and enlarged lymph nodes.
