Volume 28, Issue 150, August 2024

Genital lichen planus and lichen sclerosus - seemingly similar and yet different

Anna Seroka^1♦, Maria Rybicka², Aleksander Górny³, Jan Kościan⁴, Julita Młynarska⁵, Anna Wójcik⁶, Maria Mitkowska⁷, Jakub Langa⁸, Michał Obrębski², Karolina Szczerkowska⁹, Justyna Chwiejczak¹⁰

¹The National Institute of Medicine of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
²University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
³Praga Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration al., Solidarności” 67, 03-401 Warsaw, Poland
⁴Independent Public Hospital them. prof. W. Orlowski Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Czerniakowska 231, 00-416 Warsaw, Poland
⁵Saint Anna Hospital of Trauma Surgery, Barska 16/20 Street, 02-315, Warsaw, Poland
⁶Warsaw Southern Hospital, Rotmistrza Witolda Pileckiego 99, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
⁷HCP Medical Centre, 28 Czerwca 1956 r. 194, 61-001, Poznan, Poland
⁸Józef Struś Hospital, Szwajcarska 3, 61-285, Poznań, Poland
⁹Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04- 141 Warsaw, Poland
¹⁰Memorial Bielański Hospital Cegłowska 80, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
The National Institute of Medicine of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Genital lichen planus and lichen sclerosis are chronic autoimmune inflammatory dermatological diseases that affect both men and women. These two conditions are serious and challenging, significantly reducing the quality of daily life. Symptoms of lichen planus in both men and women include burning and painful urination, dyspareunia, as well as discharge in women. The main treatment involves topical corticosteroids, but in more severe cases, doctors may also use medications such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate mofetil. Additionally, patients may use vaginal dilators covered with corticosteroid ointment or estrogen cream to reduce symptoms and alleviate dyspareunia. In lichen sclerosis, the symptoms are very similar. However, it's important to note that this condition increases the risk of developing cancer. Characteristic porcelain-white papules and plaques precede the onset of erythema and edema, and prolonged disease activity leads to atrophic changes and erosions. Doctors primarily treat this condition with topical corticosteroids, but they may also use cyclosporine, phototherapy, and photodynamic therapy. In men, circumcision is another form of therapy that is not uncommon. Lichen planus and genital lichen sclerosis are similar but significantly different conditions. The symptoms of both conditions are a significant problem among patients, affecting their daily lives and mental health.

Keywords: Lichen planus, lichen sclerosis, mental health, symptoms, treatment, genital disease

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e115ms3421

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i150.e115ms3421

Published: 27 August 2024