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Bio-Psycho-Social Obstetrics and Gynecology pp 329–341Cite as

A Woman with Changing Vulvar Anatomy: Sexuality in Women with Lichen Sclerosus

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and mainly occurs in the anogenital area. Occasionally patients also have extragenital skin abnormalities. It primarily occurs in postmenopausal women. Itching is the main symptom. However, a burning sensation, dyspareunia, and dysuria are frequently reported symptoms. Postinflammatory scarring may cause fusion of the labia minora, narrowing the vaginal introitus and burying the clitoris. The treatment can consist of medical treatment (cortisone creams), psychological counseling, sexological counseling, pelvic floor physical therapy, and, in exceptional circumstances, surgery may help.

Keywords

  • Lichen sclerosus
  • Women
  • Sexuality
  • Itching
  • Pain
  • Burning sensation
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  • Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD)
  • Lichen planus (LP)
  • Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC)

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Fig. 19.1
Fig. 19.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Moniek M. ter Kuile PhD & Katja N. Gaarenstroom MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Moniek M. ter Kuile PhD
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  2. Katja N. Gaarenstroom MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Moniek M. ter Kuile PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gelre Hospitals Apeldoorn Location, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    K Marieke Paarlberg

  2. Wenckebach Institute, University of Groningen University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Harry B.M. van de Wiel

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ter Kuile, M.M., Gaarenstroom, K.N. (2017). A Woman with Changing Vulvar Anatomy: Sexuality in Women with Lichen Sclerosus. In: Paarlberg, K., van de Wiel, H. (eds) Bio-Psycho-Social Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40404-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40404-2_19

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