Causes of genital ulcers

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Mai Huong - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

There are many causes of genital ulcers, of which the main ones are sexually transmitted infections.

Genital ulcer syndrome can affect both men and women. This is a condition in which there are ulcers in the female or male genitals, anus caused by sexually transmitted infections. In men, it is easy to detect genital ulcers, while in women, it is often detected through the natural burning pain or burning pain when urinating.
The pattern of genital ulcer disease varies according to different regions of the world in which genital herpes, syphilis and chancroid are common causes of ulcers.

Common causative agents of genital ulcers:
Syphilis spirochetes cause syphilis. Chancroid is an acute, sexually transmitted disease with a short incubation period of 2-5 days. The characteristic presentation of the disease is a painful ulceration where the bacteria enter - usually the external genitalia and cause purulent inguinal lymphadenitis. There are two types of herpes virus (Herpes Simplex Virus-HSV), HSV-1 and HSV-2, but genital herpes is mainly caused by HSV-2.

Common symptoms in diseases causing genital ulcers such as:
There is one or more sores in the genital area - anus, lips, tongue, throat... may or may not be painful. Enlarged, unilateral or bilateral inguinal lymph nodes movable or absent, painless or painless, festering and ruptured, ulcerating or not. General condition: Normal or mild fever, fatigue. With each disease, the ulcer's characteristics also have different characteristics:
Syphilis sores (or syphilis chancres stage I): It is a shallow, circular or oval ulcer, clearly demarcated, not with margins, flat bottom, hard infiltrates, no itching, no pain, no treatment will also clear up after 6-8 weeks, usually a spot. Accompanied by inflammation of adjacent lymph nodes, usually unilateral inguinal lymph nodes, which are mobile, painless, and non-fussy. Canker sores: Often many of the sores are self-infecting (kissing ulcers). Ulcers have jagged bottoms, lots of pus, rough edges, very painful, one side enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. After a few weeks, the lymph nodes burst pus, forming an abscess or fistula. Herpes sores: Usually begins with a cluster of small blisters like granules, green peas, clustered into clusters like bunches of grapes, then burst to form shallow, soft erosions with many edges with sensation. burning or itching, the sores go away on their own, but they often recur. The lymph nodes may be swollen on one side or both sides of the groin, painful, without pus.

For genital ulcers, if treated properly, the sores will heal and leave no complications, without affecting the ability to have children later.
If left untreated, the sores can heal on their own or become superinfected with other bacteria, rarely leaving complications, especially syphilis will turn into a latent stage or syphilis 3.
For diseases that have a cause There will be specific treatment drugs, in addition to supportive treatment such as pain relief, inflammation reduction, topical drugs...

Patients need to fully comply with the treatment regimen, especially for syphilis and chancroid to prevent complications of the disease and cut off the source of infection. You should follow up with your doctor's appointment. Genital ulcers facilitate the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Chancroid, genital herpes, and syphilis are common in areas with high HIV prevalence and prevention of these diseases is an important component of HIV prevention. HIV infection can alter the clinical appearance of genital ulcers making the diagnosis more difficult. The need for early treatment should therefore be emphasized, especially in HIV-infected individuals. In addition to the risk of HIV infection, genital herpes is also a high risk of infection to the fetus, especially during labor and delivery. Currently, there is no specific treatment for genital herpes, patients have to carry the disease for life and often relapse. People with genital herpes easily infect their sexual partners, so it is very important to prevent infection. Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta causing: Miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital syphilis... Safe sex and proper and regular use of condoms. It should be noted that for sores caused by genital herpes, condoms are not effective if they do not completely cover the sores. When a genital ulcer is diagnosed, the spouse or partner should be informed and treatment should be applied to the sexual partner as well.