January 17, 2025
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The cause of LEV is unknown, although everything points to it being autoimmune since it is associated with pathologies of this type (autoimmune) in almost 30% of patients. It is most frequently associated with thyroid autoimmune pathologies (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) although it is also associated with vitiligo, alopecia areata, etc.
It has been seen that this type of lichen sclerosus, if left untreated, can progress to vulvar cancer in 6% of patients.
It is a disease that at first can be confused with recurrent urinary tract infections and genital fungal infections because it causes itching and burning. However, as the lichen sclerosus progresses, there is also pain even at rest, and dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse). It has been observed that as the disease progresses, the genital labia minora and majora disappear, the clitoris is buried under a scar layer and the vaginal orifice (introitus) becomes very narrow. Erosions, fissures and scratching lesions appear, which further contribute to pain, bleeding and burning in the vulvar area.
Scleroatrophic lichen on the vulvar causes severe impairment of quality of life and sexual function in patients who suffer from it.
The first choice treatment for lichen sclerosus in the vaginal and perianal area is ultra potent corticosteroid ointments (clobetasol propionate 0.05%). These creams seem to control symptoms in 60-70% of cases, but produce only 20% remissions.
Recent studies have shown that patients’ own fat-derived stem cells possess anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties which have beneficial effects on vulvar lichen sclerosus.
On the other hand, growth factors from platelet alpha granules in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could have a beneficial effect due to their regenerative properties.
As principal investigator I initiated in 2107 the Liquenia Clinical Trial(EudraCT: 2016-003952-63). In that research, two sessions of proprietary adipose tissue and PRP were applied to those patients with moderate-severe vulvar lichen sclerosus who had not noticed improvement with ultra-potent corticosteroid creams.
You might also be interested in this other article I have titled: Is there a treatment for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus?
Request information about Liquenia ® Treatment.
Patent Pending: P202030879
This is the first book in Spanish on Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus that includes an extensive guide to current treatments, including the novel Liquenia® Treatment.
It has been written by Dr. Patricia Gutiérrez Ontalvilla who has altruistically donated 100% of the income generated by its sale to the Nixarian Foundation. Nixarian Foundation..
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