Vulvar Biopsy

A biopsy is performed under local anaesthetic and takes around 20 minutes. It’s an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home later the same day. When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll be asked to remove your clothes from the waist down. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. 

During a vulvar biopsy: 

1. You’ll be asked to lie on your back on the treatment bed with your knees up and your legs apart.

2. Your consultant will inject a local anaesthetic into your vulva to numb the area.

3. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will use special surgical instruments to take a sample of your skin. 

4. The wound will be closed with dissolvable stitches.

5. The tissue removed during the biopsy is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Vulvar biopsy is a generally safe procedure, but as with any type of surgery, there’s a small risk that complications or side effects can occur. 

Your consultant will explain all the potential risks of your treatment before your procedure and answer any questions you may have. 

Possible complications of a vulvar biopsy may include: 

• pain

• infection 

• bleeding – a small amount of bleeding is normal. Applying a small amount of pressure for 20 minutes should stop the bleeding

• blood blister (hematoma)

• bruising

• loss of skin colour in the area (hypopigmentation)

• scarring

Your consultant will tell you everything you need to do to prepare for your vulvar biopsy.

Tell your consultant about any medical conditions or allergies you have, and any medications you take regularly. 

You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a few days before your surgery. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after your procedure. 

You can eat and drink normally before your vulvar biopsy.

Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to remove from your lower half for your appointment.

Your consultant will give you instructions to follow during your recovery. They may arrange a follow-up appointment with you to check your progress and give you your results.

Once the local anaesthetic wears off (normally about half an hour), you may have some pain, tenderness or discomfort for a few days until your skin heals. Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if you need to. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packet and ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. 

You can go home when you feel well enough after your vulvar biopsy. We recommend arranging for someone to collect you from the clinic after your procedure and resting at home for a few hours. You can resume your normal activities when you feel well enough. 

You may have some light bleeding for a few days after your vulvar biopsy. Call the clinic if your bleeding is severe or continues for more than a few days. 

After your vulvar biopsy: 

• rinse the area with water after every bowel movement to keep the biopsy site clean 

• avoid strenuous exercise or activities that could irritate the area, such as running, cycling, and horse riding, for a few days after your vulvar biopsy 

• avoid swimming until your stitches have been removed or have dissolved (normally 2 to 3 weeks) and the biopsy site has fully healed 

• don’t have sexual intercourse for at least 3 or 4 days after your procedure 

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please contact the clinic for advice.

Please contact our Women’s Health centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a vulvar biopsy, you must be referred by either your GP or a gynaecologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a gynaecologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.