title: Vulvar disorders in adolescents.
abstract: Bacterial and fungal vulvitis, dermatitis, inflammatory dermatoses, secondary drug reactions, viral infections, and a variety of vulvar tumors can all present as primary vulvar problems in adolescents. In addition, systemic disease can present with vulvar involvement. These disorders can be extremely anxiety-provoking in adolescent females who are dealing with issues surrounding self-image, physical maturation, and sexuality. A detailed history and physical exam can provide many clues to the underlying problem, but sometimes a biopsy is necessary to establish a diagnosis. Consultations from other services, such as dermatology or infectious diseases, can be very helpful. The best approach involves a combination of empathetic reassurance, careful diagnosis, and successful treatment. In order to facilitate optimal care of adolescents with vulvar disorders, a comprehensive review of the literature is presented.
authors.affiliation: Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Fivozinsky
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Laufer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D017444:Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy