Non venereal benign dermatoses of vulva in sexually active women: a clinical study

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Vulvar complaints are usually an uncomfortable discussion not only for the patient but also for the health care provider. Vulva remains one of the most covered regions of the body and seems truly to be a forgotten pelvic organ. Any genital lesion or related symptoms are erroneously considered to be sexually transmitted. Hence this study was conducted to emphasize on the fact that all genital lesions are not sexually transmitted. Objective of the study was to determine the clinical pattern and relative frequency of non-venereal benign dermatoses of vulva in sexually active women at a tertiary health care centre.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a prospective, observational study. All sexually active women attending the outpatient department of Dermatology and Gynecology, who presented either with vulvar complaints or with vulvar dermatoses on routine clinical examination were included in the study. Women with six classical venereal diseases or with vulvar malignancies were excluded from the study. After detailed history & examination, results were tabulated and analysed by SPSS software.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 70 sexually active women were observed. Majority of women were from rural background (54.28%), were housewives (81.42%) and were illiterate (42.85%). The commonest presenting feature was itching. Labia majora was the most common site of involvement and Tinea cruris was the most common dermatoses involved.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> All vulvar dermatoses are not sexually transmitted.

Clinico-epidemiological Profile of Women with Non-venereal Vulval Diseases: A Hospital-based Observational Study

“…8,9 This is in contrast to another Indian study done in 2016 which reported nea cruris to be the commonest diagnosis in sexually ac ve women. 14 Similarly, the study from eastern Nepal observed vulval dermatoses in 62.85% among which vulvovaginal candidiasis was the commonest condi on (11.4%). 3 In the most recent study from Brazil, the commonest diagnosis was condyloma acuminata (37.3%) followed by lichen sclerosus (16.0%).…”

“…3 Labia majora was the commonest site of involvement in present study which is in concordance with previous studies. 12,14 We encountered 22 diff erent vulval disorders in our cohort of pa ents. Among them lichen sclerosus was the commonest condi on, being diagnosed in 17.33% of individuals.…”

A study of pattern of non-venereal genital dermatoses in female patients at a tertiary care center

“…The vulva is a difficult site for self-examination, which along with hesitation to seek medical care for genital lesions leads to anxiety and fear. 4 Being able to recognize and treat the vulval dermatoses is vital for the wellbeing of the patient. The dermatoses may also be a sign of systemic diseases and proper examination can give a clue to establish the diagnosis.…”

Vulvar Diseases that Required a Biopsy: A Retrospective Study

“…As reported in the literature, vulvar LS was the most commonly biopsied dermatosis (39.4%, 41/104) and the second most common of all the identified conditions (12.7%, 41/323). 1,3,7 LS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a predilection for the external genitalia. It is more prevalent in women, especially after menopause, although it can develop at any age.…”

“…There is a tendency to attribute an infectious or venereal origin to any vulvar lesion, which contributes to significant anxiety. [1][2][3] However, the vulva may be site of noninfectious lesions including widespread dermatoses which may have distinct or atypical presentations in this anatomic area (like psoriasis or lichen planus), other clinical entities that occur only in the genital area (such as Zoon vulvitis), as well as benign and malignant neoplasms. [4][5][6] Therefore, its identification is challenging, and a cutaneous biopsy may be required for the correct diagnosis.…”