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The Hidden Impact of Lichen Sclerosus on Women’s Health

Lichen sclerosus is one of those conditions you might not hear about every day — and you’re not alone if you’re unfamiliar with it. While it is relatively rare, affecting fewer people than more commonly known skin conditions, the lack of open conversation around it might be due to more than just its rarity. This condition predominantly affects the genital and anal areas, making it a particularly private issue that many may feel reluctant to discuss openly. The unfortunate reality is that discussions about intimate health, particularly for women, often carry a sense of stigma. Cultural attitudes discourage women from openly discussing concerns related to their bodies, particularly sensitive areas,…

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Featured

 A Little-Known Skin Disease That Can Disrupt People’s Sex Lives

Patients deal with pain and itching and often encounter medical ignorance and mistreatment until affected tissues become irreparably scarred. The most effective treatment for lichen sclerosus is a potent corticosteroid ointment called clobetasol (Temovate), applied in tiny amounts several times a day at first, then less and less often as symptoms improve. Dr. Vyas said that “even if the condition is advanced, it will get better if treated properly and treatment is continued indefinitely.”

 Lichen Sclerosus: Why Do Most Women Struggle With Their Diagnosis?

In 2020, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease declared LS to be disease of the year, heralding a new era of hope and awareness for this poorly understood but treatable condition. However, many women today continue to experience physical and psychological distress related to LS. As clinicians, we must ask ourselves why this remains the case. LS is considered a relatively rare disease in primary care practice, and treatments are effective, but that does not mean it is trivial. Because LS a lifelong disease, multidisciplinary care may be required to help women struggling with LS achieve a normal quality of life and sexual health regardless of age.

 The silence around vulval cancer means people are missing the signs that they have it

The other main condition linked to vulval cancer is LS, a chronic skin condition which typically causes intense itching and white or ashy patches. LS is associated with a type of pre-cancer called differentiated vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN). This type of VIN is more likely to develop into cancer than the type that develops as a result of HPV infection.

Articles of Interest

New online guide launched to support people affected by lichen sclerosus

A new online guide has launched to support and empower people with vulval lichen sclerosus (LS), to learn about the condition, access the right treatment and live more comfortably. The online guide, which has launched on World LS Awareness Day 2025, has been written by expert healthcare professionals and researchers from the University of Bristol, University of Nottingham, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and people with vulval LS. It has practical advice and easy-to-use resources to help people with LS live better.

Clothing and Lichen Sclerosus

To be transparent, no medical literature or guidelines on this topic exist. In what follows, I will share my perspective as a patient with lichen sclerosus.

Doctors Thought I Had Chronic Yeast Infections—But I Really Had Cancer

After nearly 40 years of being misdiagnosed with everything from yeast infections to cystitis, early menopause, eczema, and even herpes, in 2016 Baumhauer received a devastating diagnosis of vulva cancer—caused, in her case, by a little-known skin condition called lichen sclerosus (LS).

Genital lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in females: An update

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus is an acquired chronic inflammatory dermatosis commonly affecting the vulvar and perianal regions. It is associated with an increased risk of vulvar cancer even though it is not a premalignant condition itself. The true precursor of cancer associated with lichen sclerosus (LS) is vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), differentiated type. The diagnosis is usually clinical...

Lichen sclerosus in females

The cause of lichen sclerosus is not fully understood. It can be associated with other diseases in which the body’s immune system attacks normal tissues such as the thyroid gland (causing an overactive – or underactive thyroid gland) or the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (causing diabetes), but it has not been proven that it is an auto-immune condition in itself. LS does not lower your immunity and does not affect any internal organs.

Lichen sclerosus: a potpourri of misdiagnosed cases based on atypical clinical presentations

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory autoimmune-induced disease that primarily affects the epidermis and dermis of the external genital-anal region. Intense and recalcitrant pruritus is the hallmark of LS. Physical exam reveals thinning, hyperkeratosis, and parchment-like appearance. However, the classic symptom and signs of LS may not always be present and patients may be asymptomatic for pruritus. Hence, we describe 15 misdiagnosed cases with atypical clinical presentations.

Lichen Sclerosus—Presentation, Diagnosis and Management

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is thought to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. If it is not treated, lichen sclerosus is associated with a greater degree of scarring and an elevated risk of cancer in the genital area.

Q&A: Managing lichen sclerosus

LS should always be treated, even when asymptomatic. The gold standard treatment remains potent topical corticosteroid for virtually all cases unless the disease is very mild.

Understanding Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus can painfully change women’s lives, putting greater health at risk and compromising intimate relationships. Although initial symptoms may mimic those of more common vaginal and vulvar irritations and illness, there are distinct signs that indicate lichen sclerosus. Pain and irritation of the vulvar skin should be taken seriously and treated immediately.

Vulva health conditions: it’s time to shatter the silence

Many vulval conditions cause itchiness and pain (often described by patients as “burning”). An itchy vulva may be mistaken for thrush by patients and even healthcare professionals. But it could be common dermatological conditions such as eczema and psoriasis as they can affect the vulva too. Another condition often mistaken for thrush is lichen sclerosus, a progressive condition which can lead to distressing changes to the anatomy of the vulva, and can develop into vulval cancer.

What is Lichen Sclerosis

The condition is characterized by distinctive, thin, white patches of skin, often described as parchment-like or wrinkled in appearance. Lichen sclerosus can lead to discomfort, pain, and itching, making it a distressing condition for those who experience it.

Resources

Lichen Sclerosos Guide

Empowering everyone with vulval lichen sclerosus (LS) to learn about the condition, access the right treatment and live more comfortably.

Lichen Sclerosus Support Network

The Lichen Sclerosus Support Network is a beacon of support and empowerment for individuals and couples navigating the challenges of Lichen Sclerosus. Our international non-profit organization recognizes LS's far-reaching impact on physical and emotional well-being, extending beyond the initial diagnosis. LSSN goes beyond simply providing information. We foster a supportive community through educational resources, workshops, and online forums.

Lichen Sclerosus & Vulvar Cancer UK Awareness

This website has been created to help sufferers of Lichen Sclerosus and those who believe they may have it. We are also hoping this website will help us to raise awareness for this condition.

Jean Hailes for Women's Health

We don’t know the exact cause of lichen sclerosus, but it’s thought to be an autoimmune condition. These conditions cause the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues. About 15% of people with the condition have a family history of the disorder, so there may be a genetic link. Lichen sclerosus is associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as thyroid disease, pernicious anaemia, type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. It can also co-exist with other skin conditions.

NORD

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that most commonly affects females before puberty or after menopause. Although rare, it can also be seen in males. When found in males, the disease is known as balanitis xerotica obliterans. Lichen sclerosus is characterized by skin changes of the external genitalia.