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DISEASE AND CAUSES
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
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Vaginal cancer
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- Cause unknown; tumor development has been linked to intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol and to human papilloma virus
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Presents mainly as squamous cell carcinoma (sometimes as melanoma, sarcoma, and adenocarcinoma) and progresses from an intraepithelial tumor to an invasive cancer. |
- Abnormal bleeding and discharge
- Firm, ulcerated lesion in the vagina
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Vaginismus
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- Cause related to physical (hymenal abnormalities, genital herpes, obstetric trauma, or atrophic vaginitis) or psychological (conditioned response to traumatic sexual experience) factors
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An involuntary spastic constriction of the lower vaginal muscles. |
- Muscle spasm with pain when an object is inserted into the vagina
- Lack of sexual interest or desire
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Variola
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Infection due to
Poxvirus variola
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Virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets or direct contact. In the body, the virus replicates and causes viremia to develop. |
- Fever, vomiting, sore throat, CNS symptoms (such as headache, malaise, stupor, and coma), macular rash progressing to vesicular, and pustular lesions
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Velopharyngeal insufficiency
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- Caused by an inherited palate abnormality or acquired from pharyngeal surgery or palatal paresis
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Impaired closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter between the oropharynx and the nasopharynx results in abnormal speech and nasal emission of air. |
- Unintelligible speech, hypernasality, nasal emission, poor consonant definition, and weak voice
- Dysphagia and, if severe, regurgitation through the nose
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Vitiligo
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- Cause unknown; usually acquired but may be familial (autosomal dominant)
- Possible immunologic and neurochemical basis suggested
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Destruction of melanocytes (humoral or cellular) and circulating antibodies against melanocytes results in hypopigmented areas. |
- Progressive, symmetric areas of complete pigment loss with sharp borders, generally appearing in periorifical areas, flexor wrists, and extensor distal extremities
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Vulvovaginitis
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- Caused by bacterial or viral infection, vaginal atrophy, or various traumas or irritations
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Infectious diseases and other conditions cause an inflammatory reaction of the vaginal mucosa and vulva. |
- Vaginal discharge (most common)
- Appearance of discharge (consistency, odor, and color) varies with causative agent
- May be accompanied by vulvar irritation, pain, or pruritus
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