It may not be the most comfortable subject to bring up, but vulvovaginal health should never be overlooked, doctors say. And because it’s such a private part of the body, patients may not always know they have medical problems there. So it’s important to have a specialized care team available to diagnose and treat conditions of the area, since they easily can impact a woman’s overall health.
Washington University Physicians recently launched the Vulvovaginal Disorders Clinic, a program for patients with conditions of the vulva (external female genital area) and vagina (the muscular canal that connects the uterus and vulva). The new clinic is at the Center for Advanced Medicine-South County, and offers a team approach with obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Holly Steiner and dermatologist Dr. Becca Chibnall. During clinic visits, patients receive co
So why does it make sense for a dermatologist and gynecologist to team up on behalf of female patients? The vulva is part of a woman’s reproductive tract but it’s also part of her skin, Steiner explains. Many patients have conditions that cause pain, itching and discomfort, which can contribute to sexual dysfunction and relationship problems. So it’s essential to seek help when symptoms arise, she notes.
Chibnall says meeting with both doctors in the same visit saves patients time and stress, especially when they’re coming from outside the St. Louis area. It also means a thorough and comprehensive exam and care plan for every patient. Some may need surgery, and others can receive outpatient treatments. “It’s good for us to be able to do patients’ medical and surgical management at the same time,” Chibnall notes. “They see us communicating well with each other throughout the process, and that makes them feel good about working with us.”
Steiner adds, “Sometimes it’s hard for a patient to know when there’s a serious problem. For example, she may experience itching and assume it’s something simple like a yeast infection. But in some instances, it also could signal something more serious, like cancer.” Treatments available to clinic patients include oral and topical medications, injectables, laser and surgical procedures, physical and sex therapy, and psychotherapy. As part of the doctors’ philosophy of thorough care, dermatologist Chibnall also can perform whole-body skin exams on clinic patients to check for other problems. And they can see Steiner during regular office hours for well-woman exams and other gynecological services.
Many women with vulvovaginal problems have struggled for weeks, months and even years with itching, pain and discomfort. “We aim to manage and treat all varieties of vulvovaginal disorders and help women reclaim their lives,” Chibnall says.
Pictured: Drs. Holly Steiner and Becca Chibnall
Photo: Bill Barrett
Washington University Physician Group and the Vulvovaginal Disorders Clinic offer a full slate of services to support women’s health and well-being. Pictured on the cover: Drs. Holly Steiner and Becca Chibnall. For information on upcoming clinic dates, call 314.942.6386 or visit wuphysicians.wustl.edu/vvd.
Cover courtesy of Washington University Physicians