What is vulvar leukoplakia?

Vulvar leukoplakia is a common disease. Friends who suffer from it would like to know what it is. So what is it? Next, this article will introduce you to what vulvar leukoplakia is for your reference only. Friends who want to know what vulvar leukoplakia is, please continue reading!

What is vulvar leukoplakia? Vulvar leukoplakia was previously believed to be a vascular nutritional disorder, but with further understanding of the disease, the above changes were not found, but rather lesions involving pigment changes and degeneration of the vulvar skin and mucosal tissues. Because the vulvar skin and mucosa of patients with lichen sclerosus and squamous cell hyperplasia are mostly white, it is called vulvar white lesions, which belong to non-neoplastic changes in the vulvar epithelium. The exact cause of vulvar leukoplakia is unknown. It may be related to the following factors: genes, autoimmunity, sex hormone deficiency or decreased sex hormone receptors, etc. Vulvar squamous epithelial hyperplasia may be related to vulvar moisture and long-term stimulation by secretions, leading to vulvar itching and repeated scratching.

The main symptom is severe itching of the vulva. The itching may last from 2 to 3 months from onset to treatment, or even up to 20 years. The severity of the itching is not affected by season or day or night. Patients with vulvar squamous hyperplasia may experience more severe itching. If accompanied by trichomoniasis or candidal vaginitis, the secretions will be more, and the local burning, stinging and itching are related to the damage or infection of the skin and mucous membranes. There is varying degrees of local hypopigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes, often with edema, chapped skin and scattered superficial ulcers.

There are several treatments for vulvar leukoplakia:

1. General treatment

Pay attention to keeping the vulva clean and dry. Do not use irritating drugs or soaps to clean the vulva. Avoid wearing non-breathable synthetic underwear and do not eat spicy or allergenic foods. For those with severe itching symptoms leading to insomnia, sedatives, sleeping pills and anti-allergic drugs can be added.

2. Drug treatment

Commonly used drugs for vulvar lichen sclerosus include pyruvic acid ointment, compound vitamin A ointment and progesterone ointment. Alternatively, glucocorticoid ointments or immunotherapy may be used. Drugs can improve symptoms but cannot cure the disease, and long-term use is required. Lichen sclerosus in young girls may heal on its own by puberty, and pyruvate ointment is generally not used for treatment to avoid virilization. 1% hydrocortisone ointment or 0.3% progesterone ointment can be applied, which can relieve most symptoms, but long-term follow-up is required.

Vulvar squamous epithelial hyperplasia can be treated with topical corticosteroids to control pruritus. Treatment is effective for most patients, but long-term medication is required.

3. Physical therapy

Suitable for patients who are not responsive to drug treatment or whose condition is serious. Microwave therapy, carbon dioxide laser and helium-neon laser, Bohm light, high-frequency electric knife, local electrocautery therapy and liquid nitrogen local cryotherapy, etc.

4. Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment is only suitable for patients with severe conditions and those who have failed to respond to repeated medication or physical therapy. Surgery is required when vulvar squamous hyperplasia is suspected to be malignant.

The above is the relevant introduction about what is vulvar leukoplakia. I believe that after reading the above introduction, you already know what vulvar leukoplakia is. Although the cause of vulvar leukoplakia is unknown, there are many factors related to it. The treatment of vulvar leukoplakia has been introduced in detail above, so I will not go into details here.