Vulva Biopsy

What is the Vulva Biopsy

A vulva biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of tissue from the vulva. The vulva is the outside part of the female genitals. The vulva includes the outside folds of skin (labia majora), the inner lips (labia minora), the clitoris, and the openings of the urethra and vagina.

You may have this procedure to get more information about or diagnose a lesion, growth, rash, blister, or some other unusual discoloration. This procedure may also be done to remove a mole or wart.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Pain at the biopsy site.

What happens before the procedure?

• Wear loose and comfortable pants and underwear for the procedure.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:

• Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• You will be given a medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• A small tissue sample will be removed (excised). This sample may be sent for further examination depending on why you are having a biopsy.
• A medicine may be applied to the biopsy site to help stop the bleeding.
• The biopsy site may be closed with stitches (sutures).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• You may be given pain medicine.
• If the sample is being sent for testing, it is your responsibility to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider or the department performing the procedure when your results will be ready.
• You may be given antibiotic ointment medicine.

Vulva Biopsy, Care After

These instructions give you information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your doctor may also give you more specific instructions. Call your doctor if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

Follow these instructions at home:

Biopsy Site Care

• Do not rub the biopsy area after peeing (urinating). Gently:
  • Pat the area dry. Or, use a bottle filled with warm water (peri-bottle) to clean the area.
  • Wipe from front to back.
• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your biopsy site. Make sure you:
  • Clean the area using water and mild soap twice a day or as told by your doctor. Gently pat the area dry.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medical ointment, apply it as told by your doctor. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if your condition gets better.
  • Take a warm water bath that is taken while you are sitting down (sitz bath). Do this as needed to help with pain.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or skin tape (adhesive) strips in place. They may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If tape strips get loose and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove tape strips completely unless your doctor says it is okay.
• Check your biopsy site every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Lifestyle

• Wear loose, cotton underwear.
• Do not wear tight pants.
• Do not use a tampon, douche, or put anything in your vagina for at least one week or until your doctor says it is okay.
• Do not have sex for at least one week or until your doctor says it is okay.
• Do not exercise until your doctor says it is okay.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Use a sanitary pad until bleeding stops.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
• If the sample is being sent for testing, it is your responsibility to get the results of your procedure. Ask your doctor or the department doing the procedure when your results will be ready.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your biopsy site.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your biopsy site.
• Your biopsy site feels warm when you touch it.
• Medicine does not help your pain.

Get help right away if:

• You have a lot of bleeding from the vulva.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your biopsy site.
• You have a fever.
• You have lower belly pain.