The global incidence of genital ulcers (GU) is estimated to exceed 20 million cases annually. Genital ulcers cause considerable morbidity, affect quality of life and play an important role in both the acquisition and transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Most GU are caused by sexually transmitted infections, such as genital herpes and syphilis. Fungal infections, especially with T. mentagrophytes, can also present with genital ulceration. Noninfectious causes include trauma, Behcet disease, fixed drug eruption, scabies, reactive nonsexually related acute genital ulcers, lichen planus, autoimmune blistering diseases, and psoriasis. 

Tips from the medical history and the clinical presentation that can guide us towards the correct diagnosis will be discussed along with the necessary lab tests for diagnosis confirmation.