The Horrible Vulva Disease That Can Turn Into Vulva Cancer

Many people haven’t heard of lichen sclerosus, but for a small few the condition can be a daily challenge.

Most often affecting the skin around the vulva or anus, lichen sclerosus is a skin condition that causes the skin to appear white, thickened and crinkly. It can be itchy, painful, and even cause permanent scarring. Also, in around 4% of cases, the condition can develop into vulva cancer.

Lichen sclerosus affects around one in 80 women, making it much more common than public knowledge of it might suggest. The condition can occur at almost any age, but it is most commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly women. In most cases, it’s a condition that women live with for the rest of their lives.

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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