Healing usually generally occurs in five to seven days
Healing duration:
- After a vulvar biopsy, healing usually generally occurs in five to seven days, but it may take longer depending on the depth of deficit.
- Time taken for healing of the area depends on the care taken after the procedure, size of the incision, location of biopsy, and type of biopsy.
What to expect after a vulvar biopsy?
What to expect:
- After a vulvar biopsy, you may experience some mild itching or swelling because the area heals over the next one to two weeks.
- Soreness and discomfort at the biopsy site can be managed by painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or cold compresses.
- If you have stitches, it will be removed after 5-10 days.
- If you have an absorbable type of stitches, it will take two to three weeks to dissolve or fall off.
- If you have bleeding occasionally, apply direct pressure over the biopsy site with a piece of cotton wool or towel for 15 minutes while resting lying down.
When to see a doctor?
See your doctor or contact emergency care if you have
- Bleeding that does not stop even by direct pressure.
- Severe pain, swelling, and redness that is spreading.
- Malodorous discharge from the biopsy wound or a fever.
- More discomfort, and the site feels hot or starts oozing.
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When does your doctor suggest a vulvar biopsy?
Your gynecologist may suggest a vulvar biopsy when
- Cancerous growth is suspected.
- An immune system disorder causing blisters is suspected.
- Lesions have atypical color, texture, or vascular patterns.
- Your disease does not resolve with standard treatment.
- Results have implications for the diagnosis and management of systemic illnesses such as
- Behcet disease (a rare disorder that causes inflammation in the blood vessels).
- Crohn's disease (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract lining).
- Removal of a lesion is requested for functional or for better appearance.
Typical vulval conditions that may require a biopsy include:
- Lichen sclerosis (thin, white patches of the skin, usually in the genital area)
- Lichen planus (swelling and irritation of the skin and mucous membranes)
- Abnormal growth of squamous cells on the cervix surface
- Squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of flat, thin cells of the vulva)
- Melanoma (dangerous, spreading cancer)
What are the possible complications?
Complications include: