Patient's question:
Description of the problem: Ten years ago, a small white spot the size of a small finger tip grew below the vaginal opening. To this day, the size of the spot has not expanded, and there are no noticeable symptoms. Should it be treated?Doctor's answer:
Hormone therapy for vitiligo primarily works by anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting the proliferation of connective tissues, and enhancing the decomposition of skin proteins to achieve the goals of relieving itching and thinning the skin. Commonly used treatments include corticosteroid creams or ointments, or local application of androgens or progestogens. Hormone therapy requires a long duration, has poor symptom control, is prone to recurrence after discontinuation, and often necessitates frequent repeated applications, leading to poor patient compliance. This is one of the treatment methods for vulvar leukoplakia.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment mainly involves the external application and irrigation of herbs that clear heat, detoxify, dispel wind-dampness, and activate blood circulation to remove stasis. This treatment has been reported frequently, but lacks objective evaluation metrics and long-term follow-up, resulting in inconsistent reports on efficacy.