Disorders of the vulva and vagina Flashcards
What are the most common vulval symptoms?
Pruritus (itching), soreness, burning and superficial dyspareunia (pain during sex)
In general, what are the different vulval conditions?
Infection, dermatological, malignancy and premalignant diseases and vulval pain syndromes
What is lichen simplex?
Women with sensitive skin, dermatitis or eczema can present with vulval symptoms, which can result in lichen simplex, a chronic inflammatory skin condition
How does lichen simplex present?
Severe intractable pruritis, especially at night
What happens to the area affected by lichen simplex?
The area, typically the labia majora, is inflamed and thickened with hyper- and hypo pigmentation.
What can exacerbate the symptoms of lichen simplex?
Chemical or contact dermatitis and sometimes are linked to stress or low body iron stored.
How do you treat lichen simplex?
Irritants such as soap should be avoided; emollients, moderately potent steroid creams and antihistamines are used with the aim of breaking the itch-scratch cycle.
What is lichen planus?
A common disease which may affect skin anywhere on the body, but particularly mucosal surfaces such as in the mouth and genital region.
How does lichen planus present?
Flat, papular, purplish lesions. It is more commonly associated with pain than with pruritus.
Who does lichen planus affect?
It can affect all ages and is not linked to hormonal stastus.
How do you treat lichen planus?
High-potency steroid creams; surgery should be avoided
What is lichen sclerosus?
The vulval epithelium is thin with loss of collagen.
What is lichen sclerosus potentially linked with?
It may have an autoimmune basis and thyroid disease and vitiligo may coexist. Around 40% of women have or go on to develop another autoimmune condition.
What age does lichen sclerosus most often present?
The typical patient is postmenopausal but much younger women are occasionally affected.
What are the symptoms are lichen sclerosus?
It causes severe pruritus, which may be worse at night. Uncontrollable scratching may cause trauma with bleeding and skin splitting and symptoms of discomfort, pain and pareunia.
How does lichen sclerosus appear?
Pink-white papule, which coalesce to form parchment-like skin with fissures. Inflammatory adhesions can form potentially fusing of the labia and narrowing of the introitis
In how many women does lichen sclerosus develop into vulval cancer?
5%
How do you treat lichen sclerosus?
Treatment is with ultra-potent topical steroids.
What is Bartholin’s gland cyst and abscess?
The two glands behind the labia minora secrete lubricating mucus for coitus. Blockage of the duct causes cyst formation. If infection occurs, an abscess forms.