Vulvar kraurosis is an abnormal development of the skin of the vulva, which leads to exhaustion and complete atrophy of the mucosa. Such a change in the genital tissues is accompanied by tingling, burning, itching, dryness and the formation of roughened skin in the vulva. The labia minora and labia majora also undergo functional disorders, the mucous membrane atrophies, the clitoris and vaginal walls regress. Diagnosis of kraurosis includes gynecological examination, tissue biopsy, as well as vulvoscopy. Vulvar kraurosis, the treatment of which consists in taking medications of hormonal, vitamin action, as well as physiotherapy treatment, is currently being successfully cured.
The content of the article:
Vulvar kraurosis is divided into several stages:
Causes of vulvar kraurosis
Symptoms of vulvar kraurosis
Diagnosis of vulvar kraurosis
Treatment of vulvar kraurosis
Prevention of the disease and further prognosis of vulva disease
Vulva kraurosis
A change in the genital tissues leading to kraurosis is observed in women during menopause, less often in patients of childbearing age. Kraurosis is a deformation of the vulva tissues, thickening of the outer layer of the vulva walls, resulting in dysfunction and atrophy of the organ.
Vulvar kraurosis is divided into several stages:
The first stage is characterized by the appearance of an edematous, red layer of the external epithelium of the vulva. At this stage, oxygen starvation of the genital tissues occurs, as well as a violation of blood circulation to the pelvic organs.
The second stage is characterized by external changes in the vulva: redness, peeling, the presence of white scales of the keratinized epithelium, roughness of the mucous membrane, thickening of the lips.
The third stage manifests itself in the form of atrophy of the skin and mucosa, dystrophy of the lips, clitoris. There is also a deformation of the urethra, vulva, anal opening. As a result, there is an inability to urinate, as well as bowel emptying (defecation).
With mechanical damage to the skin of the vulva, cuts and wounds can form, which will become a conductor of infection. And moreover, the presence of kraurosis together with vulvar disease (leukoplakia) can lead to cancer of a malignant nature.
Causes of vulvar kraurosis
Violation of the exchange process of vulva tissues can occur due to the following reasons:
Menopause. Patients who are in the menopause period are most often at risk of vulvar kraurosis. This is caused by general changes in the body, the cessation of progesterone production, slowing of microcirculation, etc.
Mechanical damage. Any operations performed on the genitals can cause further occurrence of vulvar kraurosis.
Disorders of the neuroendocrine system, namely, dysfunction of the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, ovaries, as well as changes in the cerebral cortex.
Psychological disorders. Most patients with vulvar kraurosis are prone to depression and stress, do not have a permanent partner for intimacy, are mostly in a depressed mood.
Infection. Infectious diseases, as well as chronic diseases, can also be the cause of kraurosis.
Patients with a history of endocrine system diseases: diabetes mellitus; obesity; thyroid dysfunction have a high predisposition to kraurosis.
The lack of proper hygiene, the use of substances that can create burns, the implementation of cosmetic procedures by unskilled specialists — all this can provoke the occurrence of kraurosis.
Symptoms of vulvar kraurosis
The symptoms of vulvar atrophy at the first stage of the disease are burning, itching, tingling, and the presence of a small lip seal. In some cases, the internal foci of the vulva may have scaly formations with a white coating. Patients note discomfort in the inguinal region, tightening of the epithelium, lack of mucosal secretion.
Further symptoms of kraurosis are constant itching. Most often, the itchy condition of the vulva worsens at night. The main reason for this symptom is the patient taking a bath or shower with high pressure of hot water. An unbearable condition, constant scratching of the vulva, sleep disturbance, irritability and exhaustion of the nervous system are the main characteristic signs of the manifestation of the disease.
Such a change in the state of the vulva leads to a complete or partial rejection of sexual relations, because during intimacy there is an internal burning and itching of the lips. Bowel emptying, urination, carrying out hygienic procedures of the vulva cause unbearable pain syndrome.
Constant combing of the vulva leads to mechanical damage to the tissues, which can provoke infection. Minor abrasions, wounds, scratches, and in some cases suppuration are favorable conditions for the formation of vulva infection.
On external examination of the genitals, the labia have the appearance of edematous rollers, red-purple hue, with white dusting, peeling epidermis. Against this background, there is a regression of the vaginal canal, urethra. The lips completely cover the inner tissues of the vagina.
Diagnosis of vulvar kraurosis
Diagnosis of vulvar kraurosis consists in carrying out such measures as:
gynecological examination;
laboratory examination;
instrumental examination.
When examining a patient in a gynecological chair, it is possible to diagnose kraurosis in almost 100% of cases. The general picture of the genitals, the edematous appearance of small and large lips, the presence of wounds indicates the development of kraurosis. For a complete anamnesis, as well as diagnostics of the vulvar mucosa, colposcopy is also performed.
Diagnosis of the disease, subject to the presence of the third stage of the disease, when complete exhaustion and molpharmation of the vulva tissues occurs, is not required. However, to confirm the exact diagnosis, a full examination is carried out at the first two stages of kraurosis in order to exclude other diseases: vulvitis, vaginitis, neurodermatitis, etc.
Laboratory examinations for kraurosis include tests to detect blood sugar, an immunogram, as well as the detection of a mucosal virus.
When diagnosing the vulva, a biopsy procedure and further histological examination are mandatory. With the latter method, complete atrophy of the vulva, vaginal walls, loss of elasticity, inflammatory process, infection of the organ is easily detected.
Treatment of vulvar kraurosis
Treatment of the vulva in this disease consists in a thorough comprehensive recovery of the entire patient’s body. Medications are prescribed to maintain the nervous system, improve blood flow in organs. In addition to general treatment, local healing is also necessary for the regression of itching of the skin, burning, tingling, restoration of the keratinized layer of the small and large lips of the vagina, oxygen saturation of the genitals.
Local treatment of the disease includes the use of hormonal ointments. These include:
corticosteroids;
estrogen;
progesterone;
androgen.
Preparations based on hormonal substances are used in the genital area to relieve itching and burning, regression of swelling and redness of the epithelium, as well as to restore blood microcirculation in tissues.
Corticosteroids are used alone or in conjunction with antibacterial drugs to cure infection or prevent it from entering.
Antihistamine medications are also recommended for kraurosis. These include:
diazoline;
tavegil;
suprastin;
aminazine.
Their action is aimed at reducing allergic manifestations in the genital area, as well as at the general normalization of the patient’s body.
Vulvar kraurosis: treatment of girls of childbearing age consists in taking progesterene ointment (cream) during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Vulvar kraurosis, treatment of women during menopause: it is recommended to take estriol or synestrol, after — the use of the drug norcolut or oxyprogesterone capronate. Medications should be administered orally.
Vulvar kraurosis: treatment is associated with various therapies:
laser;
reflexology;
photodynamic;
radiotherapy.
The use of vitamin complexes of group B, A, E, PP, is also a mandatory measure for the treatment of the vulva.
In the absence of positive dynamics and regression of the disease in modern gynecology , the following methods of treatment are used:
ablation of organ tissues by laser;
reduction of vulvar muscle tone by denervation;
removal of regressive tissues;
vulvectomy.
Prevention of the disease and further prognosis of vulva disease
Further prognosis and prevention in kraurosis consists in a long, complex recovery, because a relapse of the disease is possible. But a complete cure for kraurosis is impossible. The development of disorders of the internal genital organs, the presence of abrasions and wounds leads to permanent infection, as a result of which the transformation of kraurosis into a malignant tumor may occur.
Preventive methods for kraurosis are aimed at daily activities, both external and internal, include:
proper nutrition is fractional, mainly of a vegetable—protein nature, as well as the use of fermented milk products;
the right choice of underwear — it should be elastic, breathable, not restricting movement;
psychological balance — absence of depression, stress, discontent, etc.;
proper hygiene of external organs — special soaps and gels for use in intimate hygiene.
Constant monitoring by a gynecologist is mandatory for kraurosis. It is also necessary to perform vulvoscopy, colposcopy to control the disease every 6 months.
