Vaginal ulcers (also vulvar or genital ulcers) are small sores that form on your vagina, the passageway connecting your uterus (womb) to the outside of your body. They can also form on your vulva, the outer area of the vagina.

You can get a vaginal ulcer at any age. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most common cause, but there are other causes of vaginal ulcers.

If you notice ulcers or a sore or rash on your vagina or vulva, you should talk to your healthcare provider. These ulcers and their symptoms are treatable.

Vaginal ulcers usually look like small sores you can see or feel on your vulva (outside of your vagina) and sometimes inside your vagina or on/around your anus. Vaginal ulcers can also show up in different ways based on their cause.

Symptoms may include:

• A few bumps or several small bumps, similar to a rash
• Sores that may or may not cause pain
• Bumps that burst, leak fluid, and crust over

You may have other symptoms alongside vaginal ulcers, such as:

• Unusual discharge from your vagina
• Burning or pain when peeing
• Pain during sex
• Bad-smelling discharge
• A fever

STIs are the main cause of vaginal ulcers, but there are a variety of other potential causes. The following can cause you to develop a vaginal ulcer:

STIs

The STI that most commonly causes vaginal ulcers is the herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2). Syphilis, chlamydia, and chancroid can also cause vaginal ulcers.

If an STI is causing your ulcers, you may experience other symptoms, such as unusual and bad-smelling discharge, pain during sex, and discomfort when peeing.

Other Infections

Infections not transmitted through sex can also cause vaginal ulcers. Other bacterial infections and fungal infections can sometimes cause vaginal ulcers. Strep throat, salmonella, mycoplasma infections, and Lyme disease can all cause vaginal ulcers.

A yeast infection (a type of fungal infection) can also sometimes lead to vaginal or vulvar ulcers. Other symptoms of yeast infection include itching, burning, and unusual discharge.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can sometimes cause vaginal ulcers. These are typically conditions that cause inflammation. Examples include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks itself.

In rare cases, a vaginal or vulvar ulcer is a sign of vulvar cancer. These ulcers would look like warts. Other symptoms of vulvar cancer include vaginal bleeding outside of your period and unexplained pain in your vulvar area.

Trauma to the Vagina or Vulva

Any type of trauma or injury to your vagina or vulva may cause an ulcer to form. Possible causes include childbirth, rough sex, and the use of skin care products, douches, or vaginal perfumes. All of these can cause injury to your vaginal tissues.

You should contact a healthcare provider if you notice anything out of the ordinary happening with your vagina or vulva, including vaginal ulcers.

If you get checked for vaginal ulcers, your healthcare provider will likely start by asking about your symptoms. They may ask when you first noticed the ulcers, how they feel, and what other symptoms you’re experiencing. They may examine your vagina and vulva to look at the ulcers.

Your healthcare provider will sometimes need to do additional testing, such as taking a swab or sample of the ulcer and sending it to a lab to determine if an infection is causing your vaginal ulcers.

Treating a vaginal ulcer is typically only possible if you treat the infection causing the ulcer.

For an infection caused by bacteria, you may need to take antibiotics. If you have a yeast infection, antifungal medication will help. If your ulcer is due to irritation from a personal care product, stopping that product should relieve your symptoms.

People with vaginal ulcers also often experience symptoms like burning, pain, and itching. There are several ways to treat these symptoms, including:

• Gentle cleansing of any wounds
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
• Topical (applied to the skin) pain relievers
• Topical antimicrobial medications, which kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi
• Anti-inflammatory creams
• Antifungal creams
• Sitz baths (warm baths used to relieve pain and itching in the buttock area)
• Cold compresses

One important way to prevent vaginal ulcers is to practice safe sex. This means that you should always use protection like condoms or dental dams during sex and get regular STI screenings.

You also need to take care of your overall vaginal health. Strategies include avoiding douches, perfumes, sprays, or vaginal deodorants; wearing cotton underwear; wiping from front to back when using the bathroom; washing the area with warm water or mild soap; and always thoroughly drying your vagina after bathing.

Vaginal ulcers will sometimes go away on their own. However, some untreated vaginal ulcers can get infected.

It’s important to treat STIs to avoid complications, such as infertility, harm to a fetus if pregnant, scarring, chronic pain, and cancer. Treating STIs also improves your overall health and can help stop the spread of STIs to your partner.

Vaginal ulcers are small sores or bumps on your vaginal or vulvar area.

STIs are the most common cause of vaginal ulcers, but other infections, medical conditions, injuries to your vagina, or irritation from a personal care product can also cause them.

Treatment for vaginal ulcers involves treating the condition that’s causing the ulcer. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you suspect you have vaginal ulcers for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.