VLS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition and affects one in 70 women who visit a general gynaecology clinic. The condition is painful, can restrict daily life, such as going to the toilet, sitting, exercising, sexual activity and socialising, and can become cancerous if left untreated. Prevalence in the population remains unclear as the condition is underreported and underdiagnosed.
The study by the universities of Bristol and Warwick, and funded by the ESRC, found women with VLS often seek help on multiple occasions and are frequently given incorrect diagnoses and treatments for a range of conditions, such as thrush and GSM. The research team believe vulval symptoms should not be accepted as a normal part of ageing or of being a woman. Examination in person, and not a virtual consultation, is key, ideally by someone with an interest in women’s health.
Paper: 'Vulval lichen sclerosus in primary care: thinking beyond thrush and genitourinary symptoms of the menopause' by Rees, S., Owen, C., Baumhauer, C., and Hillman, S. in BJGP