Vulvitis can develop for many reasons, and finding the exact cause can be tricky. Clinical assessment usually starts with:
a medical history
a pelvic examination
The aim is to look out for redness, blisters, or anything else that may support a diagnosis of vulvitis. Any vaginal discharge may be tested for infections.
A diagnostic exam may include checks for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and may include analysis of a urine sample. These two checks are usually done to rule out other issues that have similar symptoms.
Diagnostic tools may also include blood tests and pap tests. Pap tests involve laboratory testing of cells from the cervix. These can reveal changes in the cells that may be linked to infection, inflammation, or cancer.