The vulvar lichen It is an autoimmune and chronic disease that affects 3% of the female population, according to statistics, although its incidence is probably higher. This is because it is a very little known pathology, both by patients and by professionals. Therefore, its diagnosis is usually very late and the progression of the disease will produce a severe affectation of the physical and sexual quality of life of women.
The Dr. Marta Recioas a specialist in vulvar lichen, explains the possibility of making an early diagnosis, a novelty in this disease, which can condition its progression. From her clinics located in Ibiza and Madrid, Dr. Marta Recio performs biopsy studies for the diagnosis of lichen praecox or “early lichen“. In addition, it has optimal technology and advanced regenerative gynecology treatments, which aim to stop or delay the progression of the disease, so that its patients can enjoy greater intimate well-being.
Symptoms of vulvar lichen
Vulvar lichen can appear in girls and women of any age, but has a higher incidence at 30 and 60 years. The disease is characterized by vulvar itching that does not subside with the usual treatments, being confused with chronic candidiasis and that can even affect sleep. Sometimes, it is also associated with loss of sensation, burning or pain during sexual intercourse and wound-like “cuts” at the entrance of the vagina or the labia minora. In addition, it is usually seen how the skin becomes thinner (atrophy) or plaques (sclerosis) appear and the area acquires a whitish color.
The lesions produced by vulvar lichen can affect the labia minora, majora, clitoris, perianal area, vaginal introitus and even the entire vaginal entrance, producing anatomical changes. such as the fusion of the labia minora to the labia majora or phimosis of the clitoris.
The classic treatment of lichen is based on applying corticosteroid creams, but they are not exempt from side effects and, moreover, tend to stop being effective over time. For this reason, for some time, alternatives have been sought for the treatment of pathology within regenerative medicine.
Regenerative gynecology to treat lichen
Dr. Marta Recio tells how she applies the different regenerative gynecology techniques in order to solve problems related to female intimate well-being, including vulvar lichen. The effectiveness of this practice is based on the regeneration of the tissue that has been damaged, using different types of equipment and biostimulant treatments.
Dr. Marta Recio explains the benefits of some of the treatments she uses. One of the ones she uses the most is vulvar radiofrequency, which induces stimulation and cellular activity in the tissues through the emission of electromagnetic waves. With this, they are able to restore their membrane potential and regenerate, returning to function correctly and efficiently. On the other hand, there is the treatment with platelet-rich plasma, extracted from the patient’s own blood, which promotes cell migration and division thanks to platelet growth factors, stimulating the repair of damaged tissues. Carboxytherapy, for its part, has positioned itself as another ideal treatment for vulvar lichen, since thanks to the insufflation of CO₂ into the tissue, it achieves gas exchange through the “Bohr effect”, managing to oxygenate and revitalize damaged tissues. . Another of the methods used is the CO₂ vaginal laser, which promotes the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers, while stimulating the new formation of blood vessels. In addition, it manages to break the sclerosis plates in the case of vulvar lichen sclerosus. Currently, there is a cutting-edge treatment in regenerative gynecology, the application of stem cells from the patient’s own fat (Nanofat/Microfat/SVF), which is positioning itself as one of the best treatments when it comes to recovering damaged tissue and space the buds of the lichen.
“The key is to make a good diagnosis and see the needs of each patient,” says Dr. Marta Recio. In addition, she recalls the importance of not normalizing intimate well-being problems and consulting a specialist in order to recover quality of life and intimate well-being.
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