Vulvar Dystrophy

Vulvar dystrophy is the abnormal growth of the skin of the vulva, in a benign but symptom-provoking manner.

There are two forms of vulvar dystrophy:

Lichen sclerosis, in which the skin of the vulva is too thin, and
Hypertrophic vulvar dystrophy, in which the skin of the vulva is growing too thick.

A third form, mixed dystrophy, is a combination of both.

Both forms are associated with vulvar itching (pruritus) and burning, not responsive to anti-fungals, antibiotics or other creams or salves. Both can cause a white discoloration of the skin.

While very experienced examiners may be able to predict which form of vulvar dystrophy is present in a patient, based on observation alone, a vulvar biopsy is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Watch a Video Demonstrating How to Perform a Vulvar Biopsy

An extra feature provided by the Brookside Associates Medical Education Division

Note to readers from the Brookside Associates:
Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology was released in 2000. There is a newer product, Military Obstetrics & Gynecology available here.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology - 2nd Edition
The Health Care of Women in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C
January 1, 2000

Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited.
The listing of any non-Federal product in this CD is not an endorsement of the product itself, but simply an acknowledgement of the source.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001

United States Special Operations Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323

*This web version is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense.

Operational Medicine 2001
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