| DISEASE AND CAUSES | PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS |
| Vaginal cancer |
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- Cause unknown; tumor development has been linked to intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol and to human papilloma virus
| Presents mainly as squamous cell carcinoma (sometimes as melanoma, sarcoma, and adenocarcinoma) and progresses from an intraepithelial tumor to an invasive cancer. | - Abnormal bleeding and discharge
- Firm, ulcerated lesion in the vagina
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| Vaginismus |
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- Cause related to physical (hymenal abnormalities, genital herpes, obstetric trauma, or atrophic vaginitis) or psychological (conditioned response to traumatic sexual experience) factors
| An involuntary spastic constriction of the lower vaginal muscles. | - Muscle spasm with pain when an object is inserted into the vagina
- Lack of sexual interest or desire
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| Variola |
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- Infection due to Poxvirus variola
| Virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets or direct contact. In the body, the virus replicates and causes viremia to develop. | - Fever, vomiting, sore throat, CNS symptoms (such as headache, malaise, stupor, and coma), macular rash progressing to vesicular, and pustular lesions
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| Velopharyngeal insufficiency |
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- Caused by an inherited palate abnormality or acquired from pharyngeal surgery or palatal paresis
| Impaired closure of the velopharyngeal sphincter between the oropharynx and the nasopharynx results in abnormal speech and nasal emission of air. | - Unintelligible speech, hypernasality, nasal emission, poor consonant definition, and weak voice
- Dysphagia and, if severe, regurgitation through the nose
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| Vitiligo |
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- Cause unknown; usually acquired but may be familial (autosomal dominant)
- Possible immunologic and neurochemical basis suggested
| Destruction of melanocytes (humoral or cellular) and circulating antibodies against melanocytes results in hypopigmented areas. | - Progressive, symmetric areas of complete pigment loss with sharp borders, generally appearing in periorifical areas, flexor wrists, and extensor distal extremities
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| Vulvovaginitis |
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- Caused by bacterial or viral infection, vaginal atrophy, or various traumas or irritations
| Infectious diseases and other conditions cause an inflammatory reaction of the vaginal mucosa and vulva. | - Vaginal discharge (most common)
- Appearance of discharge (consistency, odor, and color) varies with causative agent
- May be accompanied by vulvar irritation, pain, or pruritus
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