External Resources

 

There is a variety of useful information relating to vulval conditions already available online from other similar societies to the BSSVD. Please follow the links below:

 

SELF EXAMINATION

Vulval Self Examination Leaflet
Vulval cancer is diagnosed in over 1000 British women each year. Some inflammatory skin conditions MAY develop into vulval cancer. The risk of developing cancer is low.  About 5% of women with these skin conditions will be diagnosed with a vulval cancer.
This leaflet will show you how to perform a vulval self-examination to check for abnormalities.
Click here

 

Vulval Self Examination Video

Vulval cancer is a rare cancer which affects 1400 women in the UK each year. That's 3 women being diagnosed every day. If it's detected early, it can be cured with surgery. More conservative surgery can be performed, with less impact on quality of life, cosmetic appearance and psychosexual function. Some women are at increased risk of developing vulval cancer - older women, smokers, women with lichen sclerosus, lichen planus and vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (a pre-cancer). The cancer can also happen because of persistent HPV infection.

This video will show you how to perform a vulval self-examination to check for abnormalities. It was produced with the help of patients and experts who treat vulval cancer. However, self-examination is not a substitute for being examined by a health care professional.

The video was produced with help from patients with vulval cancer and clinicians who treat them. This is a part of the Early Detection of vulval CAncer Through self-Examination (EDuCATE) study, funded by the British Society for the Study of Vulval Disease. The content creator, Dr Vanitha Sivalingam was a NIHR Clinical Academic Lecturer at the University of Manchester, UK.

Click here

 

SOCIETIES

British Association of Dermatologists
Here you will find advice and leaflets specially written by Dermatologists. Click here

 

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
A guide and support relating to sexually transmitted infections. Click here

 

International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD)
You can find a whole list of vulvovaginal subjects. Click here

 

Vulval Pain Society (VPS)
A great site for women suffering from vulval pain. The VPS also has a very good guide on smears, how to get through them without pain and with your dignity intact. Click here

 

DERMATITIS

Leaflet for patients from the Eczema Society Click here

 

LICHEN PLANUS

Leaflet for patients from the ISSVD Click here
UK Lichen Planus (UKLP) - A very useful site for women suffering from Lichen Planus. Click here

 

Patient information leaflet on Budesonide foam – There have been some supply issues with prednisolone suppositories that are useful treatment for erosive lichen planus. An alternative treatment is Budesonide foam. Please see this link to a useful factsheet to support the use of this treatment from UKLP. Click here

 

LICHEN SCLEROSUS

10 useful facts about Lichen Sclerosus Click here
Leaflet for patients from the British Association of Dermatology Click here
Crib Sheet For Patients - Lichen Sclerosus Click here
Crib Sheet For Clinic - Lichen Sclerosus Click here
Monitoring of Topical Steroid Use For Vulval Lichen Sclerosus - A Rough Guide For GPs Click here
Taking a Punch Biopsy of the Vulva Click here

 

Living with Vulval Lichen Sclerosus: A short film resource for healthcare professionals
This short film was created based on the real words of people with vulval lichen sclerosus (LS). It is aimed at healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care, to increase awareness and understanding of LS and the needs of those living with the condition.

This was part of the 'Living with Vulval Lichen Sclerosus' study at the Universities of Bristol and Warwick. It was funded by the ESRC and led by Dr Sophie Rees. Members of the BSSVD council, especially Dr Caroline Owen, supported the development of the script and accompanying text.

The film is intended to be used as an educational tool with permission. Email Sophie Rees sophie.rees@bristol.ac.uk or contact her on Instagram (@vulva_researcher) or Twitter (@drsophierees).
A brief anonymous survey is collecting feedback to the film: Survey

Our clinical practice article in the British Journal of General Practice provides practical advise for primary care professionals: Article

The link to the video is: Here

 

NORMAL VULVA

Normal vulva – Adult Women
Leaflet for patients Click here

 

Normal vulva - Adolescents
This resource is aimed at educating young people on what is a 'normal' vulva Click here

 

VULVODYNIA

Leaflet for patients from the Vulval Pain Society Click here

 

GENERAL ITEMS

General Care
Leaflet for patients from the British Association of Dermatologists Click here

 

Pelvic floor – Incontinence focus
Website for patients. Covers bladder training, pelvic floor exercises, surgery Click here