What are the specific symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia?

The symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia are not obvious in the early stage. If it is not properly cared for, it is more likely to cause the disease to worsen. Understanding the symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia is helpful for the treatment of vulvar leukoplakia. So what are the symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia ? The following is a detailed answer from relevant experts.

Stage I hyperplastic type: The main symptom is vulvar itching. Some patients experience severe itching, which worsens at night. Scratching often causes redness, swelling, and ulceration, and may cause burning and other discomfort.

Stage II hyperplastic type: Based on the symptoms of stage I, keratinization and hyperplasia appear in the affected area, and mild hypopigmentation appears locally on the vulvar skin (usually on the inner side of the labia majora and minora), in the form of dots or small white papules, with a frosty white surface.

Stage III hyperplastic type: severe hyperplasia of skin keratinization, repeated shedding of the keratin layer, or scratching causing vulvar irritation, edema, fissures, ulceration and erosion. There may be itching accompanied by pain. Patients feel that the symptoms are severe, but this type of patient has a rapid treatment effect. Within one course of treatment, about 85% of patients have basically eliminated their symptoms.

Typical symptoms of atrophic vulvar leukoplakia at different stages

Stage I atrophic type: The main symptoms are not obvious. Some patients have mild itching. No white lesions appear, and the vulva has atrophy that is not easily visible to the naked eye.

Stage II atrophic type: Typical symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia are mild visible atrophy of the vulva, usually starting from the labia majora, minora, and clitoris. The elasticity of the labia majora and minora is reduced, and the surface wrinkles are reduced or absent. Vulvar itching is relatively mild. Due to atrophy, there may be dryness of the vulva and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Localized hypopigmentation of the vulvar skin occurs in multiple spots or flakes.

Stage III atrophic type: symptoms are severe. The labia majora of the vulva are flat, the labia minora disappear, and the clitoris shrinks or becomes adherent. The urethral opening shrinks, and in severe cases, urinary incontinence occurs. The vaginal opening shrinks, and sexual life becomes difficult. Some patients also have anal leukoplakia and atrophy, causing the skin around the anus to have no wrinkles, reduced elasticity, and anal fissures during defecation. About 50% of patients have large areas of hypopigmentation on the vulvar skin. These are all symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia.

The above is an introduction to the symptoms of vulvar leukoplakia. If you experience the above symptoms, you must go to the hospital for timely treatment. If you want to know more about external causes of leukoplakia, please consult an online expert.