Itching in the intimate area: diagnosis of lichen sclerosus?

women health
Itching in the intimate area? Maybe you suffer from lichen sclerosus

Itching in the intimate area is annoying. Fortunately, a harmless fungal infection is usually the reason. But another disease makes life hell for many women: lichen sclerosus. Every 50th woman is affected, but very few are aware of the disease.

It burns, itches, it hurts: women who go to the doctor with these complaints in their intimate area usually get them Standard diagnosis: fungal infection. Another disease can also be the reason for the pain: lichen sclerosus, a kind of psoriasis in the genital area. Never heard of it? At the same time the disease occurs almost as often like a chlamydia infection, but unfortunately the disease often goes undiagnosed for years. The suffering of affected women is correspondingly great. It is not uncommon for the pain and itching in the intimate area to be the reason for this failure of relationships, because sex is only possible with pain.

Lichen Sclerosus: What is it anyway?

Lichen sclerosus is one chronic inflammatory skin disease, which manifests itself as white, lichen-like patches on the skin and mucous membranes, usually accompanied by burning and itching in the intimate area. 75% of the affected body region is the genital area – which of course makes the whole thing even more uncomfortable. Unfortunately, lichen sclerosus is still rarely diagnosed and treated.

By the way: Not only women, but men can also be affected.

That’s why you should go to the doctor if you have itching in the intimate area

The disease is not contagious, but unfortunately it is not curable. But she is recognized early enough easily treatable. However, the longer the skin disease remains undiagnosed and thus untreated, the further the disease progresses along with the increasing risk of cancer.

It is therefore essential to have regular check-ups with the dermatologist, because it is particularly important to inhibit inflammation and itching in the intimate area.

Itching in the intimate area: This is how the disease becomes noticeable

If you this symptoms please get checked by a doctor as soon as possible:

How do I recognize lichen sclerosus?

For many women, it makes itself felt at first unpleasant burning or nasty itching in the intimate area noticeable. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. Especially in the early stages are too visual skin changes barely recognizable. This is also the reason why lichen sclerosus is often associated with infections, in particular fungal infections, is confused. are also typical Discomfort during sexual intercourseproblems with the bladder and also the anus and the buttocks can be affected by LS.

How to examine yourself:

To pre-examine yourself is a hand mirror very well suited to look at the external genital part (vulva and anus area). Do isolated whitish deposits appear and/or cracks in the skin, especially at the back of the vagina, or if the labia minora begin to stick to the large labia, this is suspicious and should be presented to a doctor as a matter of urgency. But persistent burning and itching in the intimate area should also be treated, of course.

How does my doctor diagnose lichen sclerosus?

LS we actually by one visual diagnosis diagnosed, but doctors often have great difficulty in distinguishing the disease from fungal infections. Especially in the early stages, which is why the disease in many women is not properly recognized until years after the first symptoms appear. It is all the more important describe all symptoms in detail and also to ask the doctor about lichen sclerosus.

Which doctor knows?

If you suspect you may have lichen sclerosus, please leave to the doctor as soon as possibleto minimize degenerative changes in the affected areas. Gynecologists, proctologists, dermatologists and urologists are the right contact persons here. In most cases, the symptoms, such as itching in the intimate area, are treated with various cortisone-containing substances Anoint alleviated. In some cases, however, laser therapy and physiotherapy sensible. Which treatment methods are the right ones must of course be entirely determined individually be decided.

Further, detailed information for those affected can also be found on the website of Association Lichen Sclerosus.

barbara