Diseases of the female genitalia

Abstract

The skin in the genital area differs from the skin in other body regions. It is thinner, mechanically less resilient, and more susceptible to irritation and infections. The thin epidermis and good vascular supply of genital skin also lead to increased permeation and absorption of externally applied substances, such as glucocorticoids. Itching is a common symptom in several disorders of the vulva and scratching in turn can induce secondary changes that mask the original disease. Some frequent skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema, or seborrheic eczema can manifest predominantly or exclusively on the genitals. Vulval lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, or HPV-induced genital warts bear a risk of malignant transformation. In unclear lesions, biopsies may be needed to disclose an overlooked disorder and to exclude malignancy. As several common diseases of the female genitalia, such as vulvovaginitis, genital ulcers, pruritus vulvae, and vulvodynia are multifactorial, a multidisciplinary management might be needed to adequately diagnose and treat the disorder.