Is the whitening of the genitals necessarily a white spot on the external genitalia? Six steps for timely diagnosis

Vulvar leukoplakia is a familiar gynecological disease and one of the diseases that we should pay full attention to. Especially, we should know the symptoms, detect and treat them early.

Types of white spots on the external genitalia

1. Proliferative vulvar leukoplakia: Generally occurs in women aged 30-60. The surface color is mostly dark red or pink, mixed with clearly defined white patches, generally without atrophy or adhesion. The main symptom is itching of the external genitalia, which exacerbates pain after injury. The affected skin is as thick as leather, with wrinkles and protrusions, and scales that change like eczema. The scope of the lesion varies, mainly affecting the labia majora, labial sulcus, foreskin of the penis, and posterior commissure, and is mostly symmetrical.

2. Cured lichen type vulvar leukoplakia: visible age, mostly seen in women around 40 years old. The main symptom is itching in the affected area, but it is generally milder than proliferative diseases and has difficulty reproducing in the late stage. The lesion involves the skin of the vulva, mucosa, and perianal skin. In addition to whitening, thinning, and drying of the skin and mucous membranes, which are prone to rupture, loss of elasticity, atrophy of the penis, adhesion to the foreskin, and disappearance of a flat labia minora. In the late stage, thin wrinkles on the skin contract like cigarette paper, and the vaginal opening contracts and narrows, only the fingertips.

3. Mixed vulvar leukoplakia: mainly manifested as areas near thin vulvar leukoplakia, or localized skin thickening or protrusion within its range.

Symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia

1. Vulvar leukoplakia: The common symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia are leukoplakia in the affected area of the external genitalia, local pigmentation reduction, and general leukoplakia on the labia majora and labia minora. The skin color of the external genitalia is mostly purple red or light red, with gray white or gray blue colors

2. Pruritus of the external genitalia: Pruritus of the external genitalia is one of the symptoms of leukoplakia, especially at night. The degree of itching is related to season, menstrual period, climate change, diet, environment, emotions, etc. Pruritus is usually intermittent, and patients continue to scratch due to unbearable itching, making the disease more severe.

3. Vulvar pain: Patients with vulvar leukoplakia experience vulvar pain, mainly caused by scratches that cause local collapse, dryness, collapse, and secondary infection of the vulva. Patients generally experience local burning pain, especially sensitivity to the penis, labia minora, and other conditions.

4. Vulvar atrophy: Patients with vulvar leukoplakia can also experience vulvar atrophy, which can be quite harmful. Mild atrophy of the vulva can be seen, with severe cases of atrophy and adhesions of the clitoris and labia minora, followed by joint tightening, resulting in a narrow vaginal opening and loss of elasticity, and even affecting urination and sexual activity.