Patient's question:
I really got leukoplakia of the vulva in 2010, and it has been more than two years now. I have been to several hospitals, but there has been no improvement. It keeps recurring after a while. It has flared up again these past few days, and the itching at night makes it hard for me to sleep.Doctor's answer:
1. Vulvar infection and inflammatory stimulation: This is the main cause of leukoplakia of the vulva, accounting for about 50% of cases. There are many factors that can lead to vulvar infection and inflammatory stimulation, such as poor hygiene habits, infrequent use of pH4 weakly acidic female care solutions to clean the vulva, wearing synthetic underwear, unclean sanitary products, showering in public baths, swimming in bathhouses, etc., which can cause vaginal inflammation. If not treated promptly, inflammatory secretions may infiltrate the perineum. Long-term infection and stimulation can damage the skin and mucosa, leading to redness, swelling, ulcers, and degeneration, which may gradually develop into leukoplakia of the vulva.2. Endocrine disorders: Due to pathological changes in endocrine glands and tissues, or due to genetic factors, enzyme defects, and immune function issues, endocrine disorders can lead to endocrine diseases. Through tritium (3H) labeled thymidine measurements, it is believed that a protein hormone exists in the dermis that inhibits the division and growth of epidermal cells and acts locally with tissue specificity. This hormone is called inhibin, and it disrupts the balance between local connective tissue hyperplasia and the metabolic stimulation of the epidermis in that area, leading to leukoplakia of the vulva.
3. Genetic factors: About 10-30% of patients with leukoplakia of the vulva are caused by genetics. Leukoplakia of the vulva caused by genetics is primarily atrophic, with patients being mostly young girls. Clinically, for patients under 15 years old, genetic factors should be the first consideration, and it is important to investigate whether there are patients with leukoplakia of the vulva in their parents' families.
4. Other diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, vitiligo, vulvar eczema, and vulvar pruritus can also lead to or worsen the development of leukoplakia if misused medications or improper treatment is administered. There are multiple causes of leukoplakia of the vulva, but the main cause is still vulvar infection and inflammatory stimulation. Therefore, women should pay close attention to their daily lives to reduce the risk of infection and vaginal inflammation. This requires starting with hygiene and dietary habits.