Sore on Genitals
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Genital ulcers (private parts)
There is a sore in the crotch
Ulcers over the genitals
About the Symptom
A genital ulcer is an open sore or break in the skin, exposing the underlying tissue, located on the genital area, including the vulva, penis, perianal region, or anus.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Genital ulcers
Possible Causes
Generally, Sore on genitals can be related to:
- Genital Herpes
This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). It causes small, painful blisters on the private parts.
- Vulvar Cancer
Vulvar cancer (occasionally called vulval) is a cancer of the "vulva" -- the outer part of the female genitals. Risk factors include older age, HPV infection, and smoking. The first symptom is usually a non-healing sore on the vulva.
- Behcet's Disease
A rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body. Symptoms may include mouth and genital sores, as well as eye inflammation. As the disease progresses, joints and internal organs could also be affected.
- Porphyria
- Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus
- Papillary Hidradenoma
- Syphilis (Including Syphilitic Alopecia)
- Genital Rashes
- Trichomoniasis
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Sore on genitals may be related to these serious diseases:
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
This serious condition affects the skin and mucous membranes, causing rashes, blisters, and peeling. It can be life threatening. The cause may be a reaction to medication, an infection, or environmental and genetic factors. Those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have any ulcers in your genital area?
- When did you first notice ulcers in your genital area?
- How are your ulcers in the genital area now?
- Have you had ulcers or sores in the genital area before?
Reviewed By:
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Content updated on Feb 7, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
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- Genital sores (private parts)
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FAQs
Q.
What Should I Do When There Is a Rash in the Genital Area?
A.
If you notice a rash in the genital area, it is important to take appropriate steps to identify potential causes, practice good hygiene, and seek medical attention if necessary.
References:
Roett MA. Genital Ulcers: Differential Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Mar 15;101(6):355-361. PMID: 32163252.
Yura E, Flury S. Cutaneous Lesions of the External Genitalia. Med Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;102(2):279-300. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2017.10.012. Epub 2017 Dec 21. PMID: 29406058.
Savas JA, Pichardo RO. Female Genital Itch. Dermatol Clin. 2018 Jul;36(3):225-243. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2018.02.006. Epub 2018 Apr 26. PMID: 29929595.
Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH. Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care. Singapore Med J. 2020 Jun;61(6):297-301. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2020088. PMID: 32754764; PMCID: PMC7905126.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Roett MA. Genital Ulcers: Differential Diagnosis and Management. Am Fam Physician. 2020 Mar 15;101(6):355-361. PMID: 32163252.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0315/p355.htmlEngelkens HJ, Stolz E. Genital ulcer disease. Int J Dermatol. 1993 Mar;32(3):169-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1993.tb02787.x. PMID: 8444527.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-4362.1993.tb02787.xParra-Sánchez M. Genital ulcers caused by herpes simplex virus. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2019 Apr;37(4):260-264. English, Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.eimc.2018.10.020. Epub 2018 Dec 21. PMID: 30580877.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0213005X18303744?via%3Dihub