Is vulvar lichen sclerosus contagious?

Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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Vulvar lichen sclerosus is non-contagious and cannot be cross-infected, but it is hereditary and can skip generations. Additionally, it is important to maintain hygiene during sexual intercourse, preferably using condoms, as this is beneficial for the condition. Furthermore, regular physical exercise should be undertaken to enhance the body's resistance and immunity. It is important to keep the area clean and dry, avoid using soap or irritating substances for cleansing the vulva, and avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Will vulvar lichen sclerosus affect pregnancy?

Vulvar lichen sclerosus is mainly caused by long-term infection and inflammatory stimulation in the perineal area, leading to changes in the local skin. It generally does not greatly affect pregnancy, and normal conception is possible. However, during pregnancy, it is important to maintain local cleanliness and hygiene, and try to avoid using medication for treatment. If treatment is needed, it must be carried out under the guidance of a doctor, using medication that has minimal impact on the baby. It is necessary to wash the vulva with clean water daily, and it’s important to enhance the body's immune resistance, strengthen nutrition, and promote the recovery of skin lesions.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Symptoms of vulvar lichen sclerosus around the anus

Vulvar lichen sclerosus encompasses a multitude of different pathological types, primarily including simple lichen, sclerotic lichen, as well as lichen planus, Behcet's disease, vulvar vitiligo, and other secondary hypopigmentary disorders of the vulva. However, the primary conditions that can present with white lesions in the perianal area are sclerotic lichen and vulvar vitiligo. If the perianal white lesions are caused by vulvar vitiligo, they generally do not exhibit any symptoms and do not require special treatment. If the condition is sclerotic lichen, it may cause local pain, itching, and a burning sensation in the perianal area, particularly after defecation, which can lead to discomfort.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can lichen sclerosus cause adhesions?

One of the main symptoms of vulvar lichen sclerosus is severe vulvar itching, which may result in noticeable skin lesions, usually caused by a vicious cycle of repeated scratching. In the early stages of the disease, the skin appears dark red or pink. As the condition worsens, the lesions may appear white, and later stages include thickening of the skin, hyperpigmentation, pronounced skin texture resembling lichenoid changes, and may also present with scratches, fissures, and ulcers. If vulvar hygiene is neglected, vulvitis is likely to develop, which can easily lead to vulvar adhesions.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What fruits and vegetables are good for lichen sclerosus of the vulva?

Currently, there is no clear cause for vulvar lichen sclerosus, and it is not related to diet. Therefore, you can eat any fruit and vegetable with vulvar lichen sclerosus; there are no dietary restrictions. Just like usual, eat fruits and vegetables, but try to avoid cold foods. The same applies to other foods. Just make sure not to be partial to any particular type of food. Vulvar lichen sclerosus should be treated symptomatically if symptoms are present. Most of the time, treatment can be chosen from traditional Chinese medicine.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Can vulvar lichen sclerosus turn into cancer?

Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a condition characterized by white lesions on the vulva, which can potentially become malignant under long-term stimulation of vulvar lichen sclerosus. Currently, there are no specific effective medications for the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus clinically. If a patient notices depigmentation in the vulvar area, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention from a local hospital to confirm the diagnosis of vulvar lichen sclerosus. If necessary, a local biopsy of the vulva should be conducted to determine the presence of any malignant changes.