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Deutsches Arzteblatt International Feb 2020In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In Germany, 17-23% of the population suffers from chronic itching of the skin; in 5-10% of cases, the female genitalia are affected, specifically, the vulva. Vulvar pruritus is thus a common symptom that often markedly impairs the affected women's quality of life.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE/PubMed for articles on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of vul- var pruritus. The search terms were (in German and English) "vulvärer Juckreiz," "pruritus vulvae," and "genital itch," alone and in combination with "Behandlung," "Therapie," or "treat- ment."
RESULTS
The most common cause of vulvar pruritus is vulvo- vaginal candidiasis followed by chronic dermatoses, such as lichen sclerosus and vulvar eczema. Especially in refractory cases, an invasive or preinvasive lesion such as squamous epithelial dysplasia (VIN, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia) should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Rarer causes include infection, atrophy, and vulvodynia. The essen- tial elements of treatment are topical/oral antimycotic drugs and high-potency glucocorticoids, along with consistently ap- plied, basic moisturizing care and the avoidance of potential triggering factors.
CONCLUSION
As vulvar pruritus has multiple causes, standard- ization of its diagnostic evaluation and treatment would be l efficacy and to meet the diverse needs of women who suffer from this condition.
Topics: Female; Germany; Humans; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 32181734
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2020.0126 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... Apr 2016Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course... (Review)
Review
Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course of various cutaneous and systemic conditions. It is one of the common, extremely annoying symptom for which patients attend the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD). Anogenital skin is highly sensitive to soaps, perfumes, clothing and superficial trauma and it is more prone for itchy dermatoses as a result of warmth, friction, lack of aeration, sweating and occlusive inner garments. Anogenital pruritus is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases which includes localized infections, infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, allergic and irritant conditions, anorectal diseases, systemic causes, nutritional disorders, psychological and when the cause cannot be found out it is often termed idiopathic. Patients are highly reluctant in consulting the physician for anogenital itch in the early stage, they usually present at a later stage with either atypical manifestations or depigmentation and lichenification, secondary to constant scratching. They often resort to over the counter topical agents, particularly combination products which contain topical steroids. The irrational use of such products results in complications like skin atrophy, striae, incognito etc. A proper clinical history, clinical examination, investigations like scrapping for fungus and itch mite, skin biopsy, patch test and relevant blood investigations to rule out systemic conditions should be carried out, when needed, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, before treating the patient.
PubMed: 27190932
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18440.7703 -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... 2022Syringomas commonly occur in women over the face, neck, and chest. They are usually asymptomatic and mainly of cosmetic concern. The vulva is an uncommon site for...
Syringomas commonly occur in women over the face, neck, and chest. They are usually asymptomatic and mainly of cosmetic concern. The vulva is an uncommon site for syringomas. A 45-year-old woman had asymptomatic lesions over the face, of 28 years duration and presented with vulvar papules, associated with severe pruritus for the past 2 months. Clinical and histopathological examination confirmed them to be syringomas. Coexistent facial and vulvar syringomas are rare. Further, vulvar syringomas presenting as pruritus vulvae is still rarer. We report a case with severe pruritus vulvae causing sufficient distress to seek medical care, which is remarkably unusual.
PubMed: 35846546
DOI: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_1_20 -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... 2017According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through...
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization criteria, geriatric population is people above 60 years of age. In this phase of life, a woman has already gone through menopause and its associated emotional, physical, and hormonal changes. These changes are due to gradual loss of estrogen that comes with menopause which results in dramatic changes in the appearance of vulva and vagina. With age, skin of vulva becomes thin, loses elasticity, and moisture so that the patient starts feeling burning and itchy sensation. The normal acidic pH changes to basic which alters the flora and makes the person prone to other bacterial infections. Apart from infections, there are many other dermatological and nondermatological causes of vulvar itching in this age group such as eczema, contact dermatitis, lichen planus (LP), lichen sclerosus atrophicans, lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), prolapse, incontinence, and carcinoma. The aim is to diagnose the causes of pruritus vulvae in the geriatric age group to decrease the misery of these patients.
METHODS
We selected 40 consecutive females of age group ranging from 60 to 75 years coming to skin OPD with the complaint of pruritus of vulvar region over a period of 1 year. Clinical examination, complete blood count, fasting blood sugar, wet mount, pap smear, and skin biopsy were done in every case.
RESULTS
Out of the forty patients who were included in this study, 17 (42.5%) were diagnosed as a case of LSC and 11 (27.5%) patients had atrophic vaginitis. Three (7.5%) patients presented with tinea. Three (7.5%) cases were clinically diagnosed as scabies. Another 2 (5%) cases were diagnosed as LP and was seen in other 2 (5%) cases. 1 (2.5%) case was diagnosed as bacillary vaginosis and 1 (2.5%) patient was of lichen sclerosus.
CONCLUSION
Pruritus vulvae of geriatric age group are of diverse etiology, therefore, treatment based on precise diagnosis is of prime importance.
PubMed: 28442799
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7184.192632 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Feb 2024The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
The genus Alchemilla L. (lady's mantle) comprises 1000 species, of which more than 300 have been characterized from Europe. Notably, as folk medicines, Alchemilla species have long been prescribed for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, pruritus vulvae, menopausal complaints, and related diseases in women. This review summarizes the traditional uses, highlights promising plant species, and focuses on phytochemical and biological studies to highlight future areas of research.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This literature review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Alchemilla species, covering their botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological and pharmacological activities, and to summarize the current research status to better understand the application value of Alchemilla plants in modern phytotherapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The search strategy utilized the major thematic platforms Reaxys, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, the USDA Plant Database and Kew Science (Royal Botanic Gardens) and was performed with the term Alchemilla. These platforms were systematically searched for articles published from 1960 to 2023.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Alchemilla species, as members of the Rosaceae family, produce tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, coumarins, triterpenes and violet compounds. Effort has been made with this comprehensive review of Alchemilla plants to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in modern phytochemistry and phytotherapy, underlaying a broad spectrum of the activities of these plants, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiobesity, cardiovascular, anticancer, and wound healing effects.
CONCLUSIONS
An increasing number of studies on the plants in the Alchemilla genus have provided data about the main constituents and their importance in modern medicine. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that Alchemilla plants possess an extensive spectrum of biological activities. Regardless of the remarkable medical potential of Alchemilla extracts, clinical studies are limited and need to be performed to produce safer and less expensive plant-based drugs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Ethnopharmacology; Plants, Medicinal; Alchemilla; Rosaceae; Anthocyanins; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 37981119
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117439 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jun 2014
Review
Topics: Biopsy; Chronic Disease; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Photochemotherapy; Postmenopause; Pruritus Vulvae
PubMed: 24549132
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.130665 -
Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease Jul 2015Chronic vulvar pruritus and vulvodynia are common vulvar diseases. The aim of this study was to compare gynecologic and sexual and physical abuse histories from patients...
OBJECTIVE
Chronic vulvar pruritus and vulvodynia are common vulvar diseases. The aim of this study was to compare gynecologic and sexual and physical abuse histories from patients with these diagnoses and from healthy controls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Questionnaires were self-completed by patients diagnosed with vulvar itch-scratch (n = 93), patients diagnosed with vulvodynia (n = 232), and patients presenting for annual gynecologic examinations (n = 104) at the University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI.
RESULTS
Patients who came for annual examinations were less likely to report past gynecologic infections (p < .05) and indicated higher interest in and more frequent sexual activity than the other 2 groups (p = .003). Vulvodynia patients had the highest scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire (p < .001). Subjects with either vulvar disorder were more likely to self-report a history of gynecologic infections than annual examination controls. Rates of sexual (p = .78) and physical abuse (p = .12) were similar for all 3 groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with vulvar pruritus and vulvodynia report similar rates of sexual and physical abuse.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Case-Control Studies; Female; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Michigan; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Parity; Physical Abuse; Pruritus Vulvae; Risk Factors; Sex Offenses; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vulvodynia; Women's Health; Young Adult
PubMed: 26111040
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000075 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Jul 2020White lesions of the vulva are a common vulvar disease of unclear etiology. Although a variety of treatments have been used to treat the disease in clinical practice,... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
White lesions of the vulva are a common vulvar disease of unclear etiology. Although a variety of treatments have been used to treat the disease in clinical practice, there is currently a lack of effective radical therapies. This study aimed to compare the feasibility and effectiveness of fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser with that of high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of white lesions of the vulva.
METHODS
A total of 60 patients with pruritus vulvae who were treated at the Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Diseases in our hospital between December, 2017, and December 2018 were enrolled in this study. The possibility of malignant lesions of the vulva was ruled out by histopathological diagnosis following colposcopic biopsy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a laser treatment group (group L, n=30) and a focused ultrasound treatment group (group U, n=30). The patients were monitored for changes in signs and symptoms during and after treatment, and the treatment outcomes of the two groups were compared.
RESULTS
The local symptoms of pruritus were alleviated by both the fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser and high-intensity focused ultrasound. The patients in group L had no significant adverse reactions during the operation and needed no special postoperative treatment. The total effective rate in group L was 96.7%. In group U, five patients felt mild burning during the operation, painful blisters arose on the skin of the ablated area, and long-lasting local edema was observed. Seven patients had subcutaneous nodules. The total effective rate in group U was 90.0%.
CONCLUSIONS
Fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe treatment for white lesions of the vulva. It causes few complications and does not affect the daily and working life of patients. Therefore, it should be widely applied in clinical practice.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lasers, Gas; Skin Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Vulva
PubMed: 32762229
DOI: 10.21037/apm-20-1085 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2020Our case highlights the need to perform a skin biopsy in patients presenting with persistent vulvar itching, especially if they have not responded to conventional...
Our case highlights the need to perform a skin biopsy in patients presenting with persistent vulvar itching, especially if they have not responded to conventional treatment for benign conditions.
PubMed: 32695391
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.2862 -
African Health Sciences Dec 2014To investigate the risk factors associated with candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the risk factors associated with candida infection of the genital tract in the tropics.
METHODS
We performed questionnaire survey and experiments at the Hainan branch of General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Hainan General Hospital and Sanya Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in 2013. Controls were without Candida infection of genital tract, and cases had from Candida infection.
RESULTS
We recruited 689 cases and 652 controls. The average age of cases with Candida infection of the genital tract was higher than that of controls. In the multivariate modeling, marriage (adjusted odds ratio: 2.49, 95% confidential interval: 1.09-5.67) and vaginal lavage (adjusted odds ratio: 4.41, 95% confidential interval: 1.13-5.14) were significantly associated with Candida infection of genital tract in tropics.
CONCLUSION
Candida infection was related with age. Marriage and Vaginal lavage were significant risk factors. Attention should be paid to health education for the prevention of these infections.
Topics: Age Factors; Candida; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Case-Control Studies; China; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Leukorrhea; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Pruritus Vulvae; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tropical Climate
PubMed: 25834491
DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v14i4.10