Vaginal cancer is a rare disease where cells grow out of control in the vagina, most commonly affecting women over 60, and while it may not cause symptoms at first, early detection through regular check-ups offers the best chance for successful treatment.

Vaginal bleeding outside of your normal period can range from light spotting to heavy blood loss that disrupts your daily life. While some instances are harmless, others may signal underlying health problems that need medical attention.

Vaginal infections are common conditions that affect many women throughout their lives, causing symptoms like unusual discharge, itching, burning, and discomfort. These infections can result from bacteria, yeast, parasites, or other factors that upset the natural balance in the vagina.

Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an itchy, blister-like rash across the body. While it is usually mild in healthy children, it can lead to serious complications in certain groups, and vaccination has dramatically reduced cases by nearly 90% since the 1990s.

Varicella zoster virus is a common virus that causes chickenpox when you first catch it, and can come back years later to cause shingles, a painful rash that affects adults.

Esophageal varices are enlarged, swollen veins in the tube connecting your throat to your stomach. These vessels can rupture without warning, causing life-threatening bleeding that requires immediate medical attention.

Vascular calcification is mineral deposits building up in the walls of your blood vessels, making them stiff and hard. While once thought to be a natural part of aging, scientists now understand it as an active disease process that significantly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems.

Vascular dementia is a common condition caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, leading to changes in memory, thinking, and behavior that can significantly impact daily life.

Vascular graft thrombosis is when a blood clot forms inside an artificial blood vessel that has been surgically placed in the body, blocking blood flow and causing the graft to fail.

Vascular malformations are abnormal changes in blood vessels that are usually present from birth, though they may not become visible until childhood or even adulthood. These conditions can affect any blood vessel in the body and range from harmless birthmark-like marks to serious problems requiring treatment.

Vasoplegia syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition where blood vessels lose their normal ability to contract, causing dangerously low blood pressure despite the heart pumping normally or even harder than usual. With mortality rates as high as 25%, understanding this condition is crucial for patients and families facing cardiac surgery or serious illness.

Vasospasm is a sudden, prolonged tightening of blood vessels that reduces blood flow to the tissues they supply. While it can occur in many parts of the body, vasospasms affecting the heart and brain are the most serious, as they can lead to heart attack or stroke. Understanding the symptoms and seeking proper treatment can help manage this condition effectively.

Venous thrombosis is a condition where blood clots form inside your veins, blocking blood flow and potentially causing serious health problems. While these clots most commonly develop in the legs, they can occur anywhere in the body and sometimes travel to the lungs, creating a life-threatening emergency.

Venous thrombosis limb, commonly known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT, is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins of your body, most often in your leg. Understanding the warning signs and risk factors can help you get the prompt treatment needed to prevent life-threatening complications.

Ventricular extrasystoles are extra heartbeats that start in the lower chambers of the heart, disrupting the regular heart rhythm. While they are extremely common and usually harmless in healthy people, understanding when they need attention is important for your health.

Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening heart rhythm problem that causes your heart’s lower chambers to quiver instead of pumping blood. Without immediate treatment, this condition can lead to sudden cardiac death within minutes.

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the lower chambers of the heart and can become life-threatening if not properly managed, but with the right medical care and lifestyle adjustments, many people can live active, fulfilling lives.

Vertebrobasilar stroke is a serious medical condition where blood flow to the back of the brain suddenly stops or becomes blocked. Though less common than other stroke types, it causes a disproportionate amount of disability and death, often because its symptoms—like dizziness and nausea—can be mistaken for less serious conditions.

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when you’re standing still. It’s not a disease itself, but rather a symptom of various conditions affecting your inner ear or brain, with a lifetime prevalence of around 20% to 30%.

Vesicoureteric reflux is a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder toward the kidneys, most commonly affecting infants and young children. While many children outgrow this condition without lasting harm, understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment options helps parents and caregivers protect their child’s kidney health.

Vestibular disorders affect millions of people worldwide, disrupting the delicate balance system that allows us to move confidently through daily life. These conditions can transform simple activities like grocery shopping or walking into challenging obstacles, leaving many feeling dizzy, unsteady, and struggling to maintain their quality of life.

VEXAS syndrome is a rare and serious condition that causes the immune system to attack the body by mistake, leading to widespread inflammation and blood problems. Discovered only in 2020, this condition primarily affects men over 50 and is caused by a genetic mutation that happens during life, not one inherited from parents.

Viral infections are illnesses caused by tiny organisms called viruses that invade your body’s cells to make copies of themselves. From the common cold to more serious conditions like the flu or COVID-19, these infections affect millions of people worldwide and can range from mild to life-threatening.

Viral myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by viral infections. While it can affect anyone, this condition most commonly strikes otherwise healthy young adults and can range from mild cases with no symptoms to severe complications that require urgent medical attention.

Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread condition affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide, causing issues primarily with bones and muscles, yet many people don’t realize they have it because symptoms can be subtle or absent.

Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their color, creating smooth white or light areas on the body. Affecting about 1% of people worldwide, this chronic condition is not harmful to physical health but can significantly impact how people feel about their appearance.

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of your stomach’s contents through your mouth. While often uncomfortable and distressing, it’s usually your body’s way of protecting itself by removing harmful substances. Understanding what causes vomiting and how to manage it can help you feel better faster.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes tumors and cysts to develop in multiple organs throughout a person’s life, requiring lifelong monitoring and often multiple surgeries, but new treatments are bringing hope to patients who once faced a lifetime of repeated operations.

Von Willebrand’s disease is a lifelong bleeding condition that affects how blood clots, making it harder for bleeding to stop. While there is no cure, most people with this condition can lead active lives with proper care and treatment.

Vulval cancer is a rare cancer that begins in the external female sex organs, most commonly appearing as a lump or sore that causes itching. While it can occur at any age, it is usually diagnosed in older adults, with most cases found in women over 50.

Recurrent vulvar cancer means that the cancer has returned after treatment. This happens in approximately 24% of cases after initial treatment with surgery, with or without radiation.

Vulvar dysplasia involves abnormal changes in the skin cells of the vulva that can develop into cancer over time if left untreated, but with proper care and monitoring, most cases can be successfully managed before they ever become cancerous.

Vulvar squamous cell hyperplasia is a skin condition of the vulva that develops when chronic rubbing and scratching cause the skin to thicken abnormally. This condition, which creates a cycle of itching and scratching, can significantly affect a woman’s daily comfort and quality of life.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection affecting the vagina and vulva, causing discomfort through itching, burning, and abnormal discharge. While not life-threatening, it affects three out of four women at least once in their lifetime.

Vulvovaginal discomfort is a widespread condition affecting women of all ages, characterized by pain, burning, itching, or irritation in the external and internal genital areas. While the causes range from infections to chronic pain conditions, many women experience significant relief through proper diagnosis and treatment.

Vulvovaginal dryness is a common condition that can affect women at any age, though it becomes especially prevalent during and after menopause, impacting more than half of postmenopausal women and causing discomfort that extends far beyond the bedroom.

Vulvovaginal pain is a chronic condition that affects thousands of women worldwide, often lasting for months or years without a clear cause. This persistent discomfort can significantly impact daily activities, relationships, and quality of life, yet many women struggle to receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Vulvovaginal pruritus, or itching in the vulva and vagina, is a common symptom that affects many women and can significantly impact quality of life, interfering with sleep, relationships, and daily activities.