Abstract
Mature women often present with symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy and vulvar dermatoses, causing noncoital pain, dyspareunia, and sexual changes. Diagnosis of these conditions can be challenging, and long-term management is required to decrease morbidity and enhance quality of life. Vaginal estrogen therapies remain safe and effective for treating symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy. A vulvar biopsy is easy to perform and generally well tolerated when indicated for the diagnosis of lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosus, and lichen planus. Therapy with moderate- to high-potency corticosteroids is effective for these frequently debilitating conditions.
Copyright © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Administration, Intravaginal
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Atrophy / drug therapy
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Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
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Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Dyspareunia / etiology*
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Dyspareunia / prevention & control
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Estrogen Replacement Therapy / methods
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Estrogens / administration & dosage*
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Estrogens / therapeutic use
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Female
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Humans
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Lichen Planus / diagnosis
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Lichen Planus / drug therapy
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Neurodermatitis / diagnosis
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Neurodermatitis / drug therapy
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Postmenopause / physiology*
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Quality of Life
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Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / diagnosis*
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Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / drug therapy
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Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / etiology
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Skin Diseases / diagnosis*
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Skin Diseases / drug therapy
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Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / administration & dosage
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Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / therapeutic use
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Vulva / pathology*
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Vulvar Diseases / diagnosis*
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Vulvar Diseases / drug therapy
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Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / diagnosis
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Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus / drug therapy
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Women's Health*
Substances
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Dermatologic Agents
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Estrogens
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Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies