Why does the vulva skin turn white?

The whitening of the vulva skin is a disease called vulvar leukoplakia, which is mainly caused by malnutrition. It can also lead to thickening and bulging of the vulva skin. It may also be caused by atypical hyperplasia of the vulva, which can cause cancer. I hope female friends should pay attention to this. As for the causes of whitening of vulvar skin, we can understand the contents introduced in this article and then take control of these causes.

What causes whitening of female vulva?

The whitening of the vulva, commonly known as vulvar leukopathy, is actually chronic vulvar malnutrition. The exact cause of vulvar leukopathy is unknown, and there is a certain possibility of cancer. The specific reasons for whitening of female vulva are as follows:

1. Mixed malnutrition

It manifests as focal skin thickening or protrusions adjacent to or within the thin whitish area of ​​the vulva.

2. Hyperplastic or mixed type with atypical epithelial hyperplasia

It is generally believed that in proliferative and mixed lesions, atypical hyperplasia may occur in only 5 or 10 cases, and this atypical hyperplasia is limited to the proliferative epithelial cell part. Atypical hyperplasia often has no special clinical manifestations, and local tissue biopsy is the only diagnostic method. But if ulcers appear locally on the vulva. Or when there is a clearly defined white bulge and atypical hyperplasia is found during a biopsy at that location, the possibility of cancer is greater.

3. Hyperplastic malnutrition

It usually occurs in women between 30 and 60 years old. The main symptoms are unbearable itching of the vulva, accompanied by local pain after scratching. The range of the lesions varies, mainly affecting the labia majora, interlabial groove, clitoral hood and posterior symphysis, and is often symmetrical. The skin in the affected area becomes thickened and leathery, with raised and wrinkled areas, or has scales and eczematous changes. The vulva is mostly dark red or pink in color, with clearly defined white patches. There is generally no atrophy or adhesion.

4. Lichen sclerosus dystrophy

It can occur at any age, including girls under 10 years old, but is more common in women around 40 years old. The main symptom is itching in the affected area, but it is generally much milder than in proliferative lesions, and sexual intercourse becomes difficult in the late stage.

The lesions involve the vulvar skin, mucous membranes, and perianal skin. The clitoral hood, labia minora, and posterior commissure are common sites of lesions. In addition to the skin or mucous membrane becoming white, thin, dry and cracked, and losing elasticity, the clitoris often atrophies and adheres to the foreskin, and the labia minora becomes flat and disappears. In the late stage, the skin becomes thin and wrinkled like cigarette paper, and the vaginal opening becomes contracted and narrow, only wide enough for fingertips.

Young girls who suffer from this disease often feel discomfort in the vulva and perianal area after urinating or defecating. Examination reveals keyhole-shaped, yellowish mottled or white lesions in the vulva and perianal area. But generally, the lesions disappear on their own by the time of puberty. The vulvar skin of some menopausal women becomes thinner and shiny, and they experience mild tingling, itching and difficulty in sexual intercourse, which was previously called "primary vulvar atrophy." However, except for the lack of hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, other tissue changes were the same as those of lichen sclerosus.