Female lichen sclerosus genitalis: discomfort and adaptation

Female genitalis lichen sclerosus (FGLS) occurs on skin and mucous membranes and shows inflammatory lesions, chronic atrophic, itching and pain. These physical damages produce a decline in sex and a resulting relational couple discomfort.

We describe the discomfort and the relationship between physical and psychological damage.

A random sample, between 35-55 years (average 44.55, SD 6.00) includes 2 groups of 55 subjects: - the first with LSAG diagnosis since 24 months - the latter with controls. We evaluated personality by the MMPI-2, discomfort by short SF-36, couple relationship by ISS, coping by Cope and resilience by CR-RISC scales. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 14 version. P-values <0.05, 95% confidence limits, t, F, W and P tests and two by two table, compare two rates and Cohort/RTC were employed.

Discomfort makes same personality factors changed. 50 FGLS recorded higher scores than 50 controls in MMIP-2, ISS and CD-RISC scales, lower in ISF-36 and COPE scale. Statistical tests show a valid significance (p<0.00001), a 94.3% of exposed with outcome, an etiological fraction in exposed of 96,15% and a 26 risk / prevalence ratio.

The psychological distress arises as a result of somatic damage and reduces expression and thought of self. Lesion and pain produce depression, anxiety, negative emotionality and decline of sex. High values of t, F and W tests indicate a good validity of results.

The psychological distress grows from somatic damages and, in progressive way, it reduce expressions and thoughts of ego in increasingly tight limits: through successive stages, it involves social relations, couple relationships and individual identity.