Lichen is among the most uncomfortable conditions featuring white, thinning skin around the woman’s reproductive organs. The conditions can affect people of all ages, including kids, but statistics show that it’s more common in women over 50. Dr. Eden, at the practice of Elizabeth A. Eden, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., provides effective New York Lichen Sclerosus treatment to avert the advancement of lichen sclerosus. Read on about lichen sclerosus, its causes, and how it is treated.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus?
The primary symptom of lichen sclerosus is white and itching patches around the perineal and genital area. This is the section between your vagina and the anus. However, the condition can sometimes appear in other areas of the body other than the genitals, such as arms and breasts. Other common symptoms of this condition include painful sexual intercourse, purple or bright red bruising, bleeding, and tearing of the skin. Lichen sclerosus usually affects post-menopause women, rarely affecting children and men.
What Causes Lichen Sclerosus?
Scientists are yet to establish the exact cause of lichen sclerosus. However, research claims that issues with the immune system or hormonal imbalances cause the condition. Your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and damages your skin. The genetic form of lichen sclerosus can develop in sections where skin scarring, or trauma has occurred. Lichen sclerosus is not transmittable from one person to another. Also, the condition does not result due to poor personal hygiene.
Can Lichen Sclerosus Cause Other Complications?
Lichen sclerosus cannot directly cause skin cancer. However, women with this condition have a high probability of developing cancer of the vulva. The only severe complication of lichen sclerosus is in affecting your life quality. The condition can result in painful intercourse, blistering and scratchy vaginal itching. The shrinking of the vulva, the clitoris, and labia minora due to lichen sclerosus causes discomfort when pooping, peeing, and having intercourse.
How Is Lichen Sclerosus Treated?
For lichen sclerosus treatment, the doctor analyzes a tissue sample under a microscope to confirm the condition. The condition cannot be cured, but the treatments help relieve the associated symptoms. Creams and ointments containing corticosteroids can help decrease pain and itching. Even after relieving your symptoms, you might be required to continue using them to avoid recurrence.
Monalisa Touch laser treatments are also effective in minimizing the uncomfortable symptoms caused by lichen sclerosus. The laser energy triggers increased blood flow and collagen growth in your vaginal area. This causes vaginal walls to rehydrate and tighten, becoming more comfortable. If you have extremely severe lichen sclerosus, your doctor might recommend minor surgery to widen the vagina or circumcision in men to eliminate the foreskin.
Lichen sclerosus can significantly lower your quality of life, especially regarding sexual relations. The condition can cause painful urination and intercourse, along with other uncomfortable symptoms such as itching. You should seek medical treatment even if your lichen sclerosus does not have painful itching. If you suspect lichen sclerosus, call or book an appointment online at Elizabeth A. Eden, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., for effective and customized treatment.