Presenting symptoms and diagnosis of vulvar lichen sclerosus in
premenopausal women: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Objective: Characterize the presentation of vulvar lichen scleorsus (LS)
among premenopausal women. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: An
international web-based survey distributed on social media support
groups and in two urban gynecology offices specializing in LS.
Population: A total of 503 premenopausal women with biopsy-confirmed
vulvar LS between the ages of 18-50. Methods: Participants completed an
anonymous 28-question web-based survey between January to March 2021.
Main Outcome Measures: Symptoms, timing and accuracy of diagnosis, and
presence of concomitant autoimmune conditions. Results: Symptoms
reported to be most present and affect the individual were dyspareunia
(68%; 44%) and tearing with intercourse or vaginal insertion (63%;
39%). Symptoms that most frequently prompted patients to seek medical
attention were dyspareunia (35%), pruritus (31%), and tearing with
intercourse or vaginal insertion (26%). Most common skin changes
included hypopigmentation (81%), vulvar fissures (72%) and labial
resorption (60%), with fissures affecting the individual the most
(48%). There was a 4-year delay in diagnosis with an average age of
symptom onset of 27 years and average age of diagnosis of 32 years.
Sixty-six percent of respondents initially received an alternative
diagnosis, most commonly vulvovaginal yeast infection (49%). There is
an increased incidence of hypothyroidism, vitiligo, pernicious anemia,
and celiac disease. Conclusion: Premenopausal women with vulvar LS more
commonly present with dyspareunia and tearing with intercourse, less
often than vulvar pruritis. This condition should be considered and
evaluated in women of all ages presenting with vulvar symptoms and
sexual pain. Funding: None Keywords: lichen sclerosus; vulvar
dermatoses; vulvar pruritis; dyspareunia