What is the Gynaecology Dermatology Clinic?
These are specialised clinics combining gynaecology and dermatology to diagnose and treat vulval skin conditions.
The clinics are held at the Gynaecology unit, level 3 or Outpatient department, level 1 in Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline or Outpatient department, Area 1 at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. The location will be specified on your appointment letter.
What happens when I come to the clinic?
The clinic is relaxed and friendly and you will be given the opportunity to discuss any worries or concerns before anything is done. A nurse will be in attendance throughout your consultation and examination.
At your first visit a member of the medical team will take a detailed clinical history from you. We will want to know whether you have any other illnesses, and whether you are taking any medication.
It may help to make a list which you can bring to the clinic with you.
Before the examination you will be asked to undress from the waist downwards. For the actual examination, the nurse will help you to position yourself on the examination couch and will make sure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure. We understand that the examination may be embarrassing for you but we will do our best to preserve your dignity and to make you feel at ease.
The doctor will examine your vulval area and may use a magnifying microscope to see more clearly. The magnifying equipment is not in contact with you vulva and vagina in any way so does not cause any discomfort.
Biopsies
Sometimes it is necessary to take a very small piece of skin (biopsy) from the vulval or vaginal area or remove a small lesion so that it can be examined further under the microscope by pathologists. If this is recommended, it will be discussed with you. Before taking the biopsy the area is numbed using a local anaesthetic injection.
The biopsy site might be slightly sore when the anaesthetic wears off and you may need to use mild painkillers (such as paracetamol) for a few days until it settles. The biopsy site should heal over quite quickly.
If the biopsy site is persistently painful with swelling and tenderness, it may mean that the biopsy site has become infected- If in doubt, arrange an appointment with your GP and get it checked out.
You can help to avoid infections by keeping the area clean. You should bath or shower as preferred. Wash gently, avoiding the use of heavily perfumed soaps, talcum powders and vaginal deodorants as these may cause irritation and increase the risk of infection.
Photography
During the examination there is a possibility that we will ask your permission to take photographs of the vulval area. This is for clinical reasons and allows us to monitor changes in your clinical condition and to assess responses to treatment.
Important
It is very important that you attend the clinic when any appointment is made for you. Non-attendance will delay your assessment and also wastes an appointment that could be used by someone else.
If you cannot attend, for any reason, please let us know so that the appointment time can be allocated to another patient and an alternative appointment can be arranged for you.
Referral routes
You will normally be referred via your GP.
