The Horrible Vulva Disease That Can Turn Into Vulva Cancer

Signs And Symptoms

There are a few signs of lichen sclerosus, some of which are quite unique to this condition and others that mimic different conditions. The main symptoms of lichen sclerosus are:

• Constant or chronic itchiness in the vulvar or anal area, which might disappear and reappear later,
• Pale, thick or crinkled skin, and
• Pain due to the skin splitting from scratching.

When skin is affected by lichen sclerosus, it can also scar and join up with nearby skin during healing. This can change the way your vulva looks, and can sometimes affect your ability to have and even enjoy sex.

Cause

Unfortunately, doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes lichen sclerosus at the moment, but they are looking into it. Some researchers think that the condition might be a kind of auto-immune disorder, where the body attacks its own skin instead of protecting it. Lichen sclerosus is in fact more common with women who also have thyroid issues or ulcerative colitis, both auto-immune conditions.

Diagnosing The Condition

Doctors can usually diagnose lichen sclerosus just by having a look at your vulva, or other areas affected by the condition. In some cases, they might remove a sample of the skin where lichen sclerosus can be found for testing, a procedure known as a biopsy.

However, there have been a number of cases where lichen sclerosus is misdiagnosed as a much milder condition: thrush. The reason for this is that both present with itchiness. If you’ve been diagnosed with thrush, but your symptoms persist, it might be time to see a gynaecologist or dermatologist.

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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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