Patient's question:
I started noticing the gradual swelling of my vulva last year. It's getting worse now, and sometimes I can't even look at it. I don't know what caused it. I've been looking for the cause for a long time but couldn't find it. I'm truly worried about this issue. If the cause can be found, it would be possible to treat it accordingly.Doctor's answer:
Postmenopausal elderly women experience ovarian dysfunction, a decrease in estrogen levels, and subsequent expansion of target organs. The condition known as chronic vulvar dystrophy is referred to as leukoplakia of the vulva, which includes the (sclerosing lichen planus type) and mixed type. In the, prolonged inflammation leads to the loss of elastic fibers in the dermis due to fibrosis, resulting in atrophy of the clitoris and labia minora. Lichen planus is often caused by chronic irritation from leukorrhea and scratching, frequently resulting in severe atrophic changes in the second-order neurons. Vulvar leukoplakia is a proliferative change in the vulvar mucosa that may develop due to long-term irritation from factors such as psychological trauma or infections, ultimately leading to vulvar atrophy.