Labia minora atrophy, what causes it?

The female vagina is a very complex organ, which is divided into labia majora and labia minora. Both labia majora and labia minora can atrophy. If only the labia minora atrophies, it may be due to genetic factors, vaginal infection or inflammation, etc.

1. Genetic inheritance

The occurrence of vulvar leukoplakia is not age-limited and may occur at all ages. There have been cases in childhood, adolescence, menopause and old age, but most of them are middle-aged and elderly people. For those patients who have symptoms in childhood, it is very likely caused by genetic inheritance, and the vulvar leukoplakia caused by genetics is mainly atrophic type.

2. Vaginal infection and inflammatory stimulation

Vulvar infection and inflammatory stimulation are the main causes of vulvar leukoplakia. 50% or even more patients suffer from this disease. Vulvar infection is related to whether the daily living habits are healthy, and inflammatory stimulation is mainly caused by Trichomonas vaginitis, candidal vaginitis, cervical erosion and other inflammations, which cause increased vulvar secretions and leucorrhea degeneration, long-term irritation to the vulva, causing vulvar leukoplakia.

3. Endocrine disorders

Endocrine disorders are another important cause of vulvar leukoplakia. Through the determination of tritium-labeled thymidine, it is believed that there is a tissue-specific protein hormone in the dermis that can inhibit the division and growth of epidermal cells and only acts locally on the epidermis. It is called inhibin. It causes an imbalance between local connective tissue hyperplasia and the stimulation of epidermal metabolism, leading to vulvar leukoplakia.

4. Impact of Trauma

When pregnant women give birth, perineum tears can easily cause local nerve and blood vessel damage. A small number of women develop vulvar leukoplakia as a result, which can easily lead to pathological atrophy of the labia.

5. Low immunity or other diseases

Labia atrophy and vulvar leukoplakia have a certain relationship with immunity, and other diseases that cause vulvar leukoplakia also often occur, the most common ones are diabetes, vitiligo, uterine fibroids, irregular menstruation, etc.