The shame associated with a female body part can lead to a delay in the diagnosis of a disease such as cancer.
This is an important part of the female genitalia that is rarely talked about, but regular examination of the genitals can help detect any medical problems in your body. So don’t face it.
Sophie Rees, an academic associated with the University of Bristol in the UK, says that there is ‘socially shame in talking about the outer part of the vagina (vulva) and there is a silence everywhere when it is mentioned. We even use wrong terms about this organ.
Sufi adds, ‘The problem is that in this environment of shame and veil where this part of the body is not talked about, people do not even know how to take care of it and if there is a problem. So who else to talk to about him?’
For example, vaginal cancer is a rare disease. It is usually diagnosed late and this surgery leads to future medical complications in the affected woman.
Differentiate between body parts
Sufi emphasizes that ‘generally people do not know exactly what the correct word should be used when referring to the outer part of the vagina (vulva), where it is located and When to ask someone for help about it and when everything just doesn’t feel right.’
So according to the interpretation and definitions given by the British Institute of Health and the Mayo Clinic:
Vulva: The outer part of the female genitalia, the vagina, and includes the outer and outer part of the labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris, as well as the opening of the bladder and vagina and perineum, skin, and muscle. which is situated between the Vijayanas.
Vagina: It is the inner and flexible part of the female sexual organ that extends to the uterus.
Just as each person has different facial features, each vulva is unique and different in shape, size and color.
But the problem is that there is no knowledge of how to distinguish between these parts because one feels embarrassed to even talk about them.
“This is the first and foremost reason why people shy away from asking for help,” says Sufi.
“What is happening to them, women are not even able to explain it because when they go to the doctor, they are not able to talk openly because of shame and the problems are compounded.”
This is why it delays the diagnosis of vulvar cancer.
What is vulvar cancer?
The Mayo Clinic describes it as a type of cancer that affects the outer part of the vagina, meaning the outer and most visible part of the clitoris.
Vulvar cancer usually appears as a lump or inflammation on the outer layer of the vagina and is often itchy. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in older women.
However, it is a rare disease, for example in the UK it accounts for one per cent of all cancers in women.
Although the exact cause of vulvar cancer is not clear, the Mayo Clinic points out that the following factors can lead to this cancer:
Aging: Although the disease can develop at any age, the risk increases as you age. The average age at diagnosis of vulvar cancer is 65 years.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: This is a sexually transmitted disease that increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as vulvar cancer and cervical cancer.
smoking
Weakened immune system: People who use medications to suppress their immune system, or those who have undergone organ transplants. Also those with problems that weaken the immune system, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
History of preexisting diseases: In this case, the Mayo Clinic refers to vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, which increases the risk of developing this cancer.
A skin disease that affects the vulva: In this particular case, lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin disease that usually causes severe itching, white or black patches, and smoothing of the skin of the vulva.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment for vulvar cancer usually involves surgery to remove the cancer and a small portion of the surrounding healthy tissue. Sometimes vulvar cancer surgery requires removal of the entire vulva.
If detected early, treatment is possible and less painful.
Sufi says that if it is not detected early and the diagnosis is delayed, then the surgery can be quite painful. The difficulty of surgery depends on where the tumor is and how large it is, as it may involve removing part or all of the labia minora and majora, or even the clitoris.
After the surgery, “you can’t sit or stand for long,” says Sufi. You have to lie down. Because the wound on this part of the body takes time to heal and it is painful.
Surgery can also change the appearance of this delicate part of the body and cause loss of sensitivity, which can affect sexual activity and relationships.
“You can’t do anything, you can’t have any kind of sex,” she adds. This is the reason why it is very important to catch this disease and illness early and to know its symptoms.
How to find out about its possible symptoms
The key to diagnosing vulvar cancer is self-examination.
“According to a Danish study, diagnosis of vulvar cancer takes longer than any other cancer,” says Sophie.
Scientists say this is because the symptoms of this cancer are often vague and vague in the early stages.
But Sufi says that ‘the reason for this is not paying attention to this part of the body during the physical examination.’
“Cervical screening is usually done but nothing else,” he told the media. And when the screening is done, it’s a great opportunity to get a vulvar exam.”
There are several symptoms that can warn about the presence of possible vulvar cancer:
Constant itching
Pain or discomfort
Raised patches of skin that may be red, white or black
Making a knot
Bleeding from the vulva or blood-tinged vaginal discharge between periods
Ulceration of the vulva
Burning and pain while urinating
A mole or mole on the vulva that changes shape or color
These symptoms can be similar to other diseases, so women are advised to consult their doctor as soon as they notice any abnormalities in this part of the body.
How can you inspect yourself?
Try doing a self-examination to look for irregularities in this part of the body.
We asked Sophie how to be able to do it more comfortably.
‘To start, you need to lie down in a comfortable position, somewhere where you can reach for your phone and selfie stick or hold a mirror, another way is to look at your face. Get help from a partner.
In the case of a mirror, a mirror with magnification should be used to see changes in the skin of the vulva more easily.
You can examine by sitting on your feet and holding a mirror down, or by leaning against a wall or lying on a bed with lots of pillows.
Choose a time when you are not on your period for the first observation. Meanwhile, you can do this during menstruation to know what changes the vulva undergoes during the menstrual period.
Do not use creams before observation.
What to look for:
The fleshy outer and inner parts of the vulva, namely the labia majora and minora. Use your fingers to move them and separate them and look at their bottoms.
The clitoris, i.e., the piece of tissue covered by a hood of skin in front of the labia.
Opening of the vagina.
Perineum, the part between the ends of the vulva.
As we said, the condition of the vulva varies from person to person.
So it is better to observe your vulva from time to time to identify it and know its general characteristics.
“It is important to see yourself for the first time,” says Sufi.