The lifelong inflammatory condition affects genitals and can cause white patches to form with itching, soreness, splitting and tears, says Dr Nighat Arif, a GP specialising in women’s health.
It affects men and women but is more common in women over 50, external. There is also a small risk of vulval cancer., external
“It’s very sore to have sexual intercourse, to pass urine and it gets mixed up with sexually transmitted diseases but it’s not contagious,” she tells BBC Radio 5 Live podcast That Time of the Month.
Research into the prevalence of vulval lichen sclerosus is limited but analysis by the University of Bristol of people in the West Midlands and Warwickshire estimated it affects about 1% of women.
Dr Sophie Rees, who helped conduct the research, tells the BBC: “This is almost certainly an underestimate, as we know that there is often a very long delay to diagnosis, and some people probably go their entire lives undiagnosed.
“There is unfortunately a lot of shame and embarrassment around seeking help for vulval symptoms, as well as a lack of awareness, even amongst healthcare professionals.”
She adds: “More research is badly needed into true prevalence.”
