What is Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus or LCL?

LEV is a chronic inflammatory disease of probable autoimmune cause that affects the female vulvar area (external genital part of the female).

Although the lichen has a predilection for the anal and genital area, it can also be found on other parts of the body such as armpits, wrists or friction zones.

This disease affects approximately 1 in 300-1000 women.

Up to 6% of patients with lichen sclerosus may develop vulvar cancer.

Why does this disease arise?

Although it is considered an autoimmune disease, it currently has an unknown cause . However, it is probably due to several factors such as:

1.Genetically predisposed individuals: it has been observed that 30% of patients with this disease had a family history.

2.Immunological factors: in relation to immunological factors, it has been found that up to 80% of patients with lichen sclerosus have antibodies against the extracellular matrix (ECM-1). In addition, almost 30% of lichen patients have autoimmune diseases, especially thyroid diseases.

3. Environmental factors: we can also see that patients with lichen sclerosus suffer oxidative damage to basement membrane cells and often have an alteration in the p53 gene which further contributes to this oxidative damage. On the other hand, if LEV occurs in childhood, sexual abuse must be ruled out as it appears to act as a trigger for the development of vulvar lichen sclerosus.

What are the symptoms?

Vulvar lichen sclerosus presents a number of symptoms such as:

• Itching
• Stinging
• Pain during intercourse

And signs that may vary from woman to woman, such as:

• Disappearance of the labia minora
• Whitish plaques
• Burying of the clitoris

Knowing these is essential for the correct diagnosis of the disease, find out what are these signs and symptoms in depth.

If you present any of these symptoms, it is essential that you consult a vulvar lichen sclerosus specialist in order to know your diagnosis as early as possible

The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease has a page on Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (in Spanish) here.