Lichen Sclerosus Disorder

What is lichen sclerosus:
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that can affect mostly women, men, or children. It usually affects the vulva and the anal area. While lichen sclerosus appears predominantly in postmenopausal women, this skin situation is also known to improve on the head of the penis, almost exclusively in uncircumcised men. Occasionally, lichen sclerosus is seen on other parts of the body, especially the upper body, breasts, and upper arms.

Symptoms of lichen sclerosus:
Initially small, subtle white spots appear. These spots develop into bigger patches, and the skin surface becomes thinned and crinkled, skin tears easily, and bright red or purple discoloration from bleeding inside the skin. Some cases can produce scarring causing the inner lips of the vulva to shrink and vanish, the clitoris to become covered with scar tissue, and the opening of the vagina to narrow. When lichen sclerosus occurs on parts of the body other than the genital area, most often there are no symptoms, other than itching.

Lichen sclerosus is considered a rare disorder that can develop in people of all ages. It usually appears in postmenopausal women and primarily affects the vulva. It is uncommon for women who have vulvar lichen sclerosus to have the disease on other skin surfaces. The disease is much less common in childhood.

Overactive immune system may play a role. Some people might have a genetic tendency toward the disease, and studies suggest that abnormal hormone levels may also play a role. Lichen sclerosus has also been shown to emerge at sites of previous injury or trauma where the skin has already experienced scarring or damage.

Lichen sclerosus is not contagious.

Treatment of lichen sclerosus:
Patients with lichen sclerosus of nongenital skin often no need treatment because the symptoms are very calm and usually go away over time. The amount of time implicated varies from patient to patient. Lichen sclerosus of the genital skin should be treated, even when it is not causing itching or hurt, because it can lead to scarring that may narrow openings in the genital area and interfere with either urination or sexual intercourse or both.

Having sex with lichen sclerosus :
Women with severe lichen sclerosus may not be able to have sexual intercourse because of pain or scarring that narrows the entrance to the vagina. However, proper treatment with an ultra potent topical corticosteroid can help restore normal sexual functioning, unless harsh scarring has already narrowed the vaginal opening. In this case, surgery may be needed to correct the problem, but only after the disease has been prevented.

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