Epworth Freemasons Hospital
Suite 101, 320 Victoria Parade
East Melbourne VIC 3002
information@drlenkliman.com.au
03 9419 2372
East Melbourne VIC 3002
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Recommendations for patients after a Vulvar Biopsy
Women with vulval or vaginal skin disorders, may require a skin biopsy to be taken under local anaesthetic. The defect left after the biopsy is only 2-3 mm in diameter but still requires care.
In this article
What to expect?
- You may feel discomfort and soreness at the biopsy site
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can relieve your symptoms.
- You may see brown or dark areas of tissue as Dr Kliman uses an antiseptic paste applied to the biopsy site
- You may experience mild to moderate itching and swelling, or a small amount of fluid (blood spots, pinpoint bruising) at the biopsy site
- The edges of the biopsy area may appear red at the sides and yellow at the base. This is part of the healing process and lasts an average of seven days (sometimes longer).
How should you take care of your wound after a biopsy?
- Wash yourself after each time you pass urine or use your bowels. Use plain water for five days after the biopsy. You can use a small, clean bottle or scoop.
- Warm baths are soothing.
- You can use cool compresses. Do not put ice directly on your skin. Wrap the ice in a clean natural cloth and then apply to the biopsy site. Do not leave ice on the area for more than 10 minutes at a time. Allow the vulval skin to return to room temperature before reapplying the ice.
- It is recommended to wear loose clothing that does not restrict movement.
- You can resume intercourse as early as seven days after the biopsy as long as you feel comfortable.
- The result of the biopsy can take approximately 7 – 14 days for us to receive it from the pathology laboratory. Dr Kliman will contact you with the result once it is received. He will also write to your referring GP to advise him/her of the result, the treatment plan and when you need to be reviewed.
