Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a disorder that causes white patches on the skin, making it look thinner than normal. It usually affects the genital area and anus. Although any woman can get this disease, it is more common in women who have gone through menopause.
According to the specialists of the Nixarian Foundation, women affected by this pathology suffer a significant impairment in the quality of life and sexual function. This private non-profit organization is dedicated to the dissemination, research and treatment of this condition.
Vulvar lichen sclerosus: a disease that could affect 100,000 Spaniards
According to the Bleeker study, conducted in 2016, the incidence of this pathology has increased from 7.4 to 14.6 cases per 100,000 women per year from 1991 to 2011. This increase may be related to an increased awareness of this disease. As a result, more women are coming forward for biopsies and are able to get an accurate diagnosis.
In turn, according to the Nixarian Foundation, today lichen sclerosus may affect about 100,000 women in Spain, that is, 1 in 300 adult women. The lack of precision in this figure is due to the fact that it is a disease considered as “shameful”, so there are many women who have not been diagnosed yet. In addition, the symptoms and signs, especially in the early stages, are similar to those of other much more common diseases, so women with lichen sclerosus vulvaris take an average of 8 years to receive a correct diagnosis.
For now, the cause of this pathology is unknown, although it is estimated that it may be related to various factors. In this sense, the incidence of the disease increases when there is a family history and autoimmune diseases, especially thyroid diseases.
Signs and symptoms of lichen sclerosus
Due to this disease, it is common to feel pain and burning, as the skin suffers fissures in the genital and anal areas. In addition, lichen sclerosus causes continuous itching in this area, which disturbs daily life and may even disturb the patient’s sleep.
Another common symptom is dyspareunia, that is, experiencing pain during sexual intercourse. In the most severe cases, this condition can become disabling.
In terms of physical signs, the skin condition caused by this pathology can cause women to see the labia majora and minora of the vagina disappear and the introitus to narrow. In turn, it is also common to suffer phimosis of the clitoris, i.e. the burial of this sexual organ under a sclerotic and scarred skin. Finally, itching and consequent scratching often leads to bleeding.
According to the professionals of the Nixarian Foundation, it is necessary to disseminate more information about lichen sclerosus so that more people can access a diagnosis, since it is estimated that 6% of women who are not treated develop vulvar cancer. At the same time, more training is also important so that professionals can specialize in this particular ailment and help patients who come to consult with a medical condition of this type.
