[Acute genital ulcers in a young woman]

Acute genital ulceration, also called Lipschütz ulcer or ulcus vulvae acutum, is a rare condition which presents with acute pain, oedema and ulceration on the labia minora. This condition typically affects sexually inactive young women, sometimes after a period of influenza. The diagnosis is made after other causes of genital ulcers have been excluded. Treatment is supportive and focused on adequate pain relief, sometimes combined with topical corticosteroids.

A 21-year-old woman presented with acute pain which was caused by a few large 'kissing ulcers' on the labia minora. A few days previously she had had fever and general malaise. Genital herpes was excluded. Taking the preceding flu-like symptoms into account, we made the diagnosis of 'acute vulvular ulcers' associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. Pain relief was started and led to clinical recovery.

A single episode of acute genital ulcers in young women, sometimes after a period of influenza, can indicate acute genital ulceration.