Assessing sexual function and vulvovaginal symptoms in young patients with vulvar dystrophy
A. G. Solopova,
E. E. Achkasov,
A. D. Makatsariya,
I. V. Khamani,
T. A. Blbulyan,
V. S. Moskvichyova https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2020.127
Abstract
Aim: to comparatively assess sexual function and intensity of vulvovaginal symptoms in patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus and mixed vulvar dystrophy.
Materials and Methods. There were examined 57 patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus and 63 patients with mixed vulvar dystrophy, with mean patient age 35.0 ± 0.6 (18–45) years. Prior to therapy, the study participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire (VSQ).
Results. Severe sexual dysfunction (FSFI score 2) was detected in 14 % of cases (n = 8) in group 1 (sclerotic lichen vulva) and 17 % (n = 11) in group 2 (mixed dystrophy). Remaining respondents had total score below the normal cut-off. The mean FSFI score for group 1 and 2 was 17.68 and 16.78, respectively. VSQ testing found that most common complaint in both groups was itching (91 and 95 %, respectively). The majority of patients also noted a deteriorated emotional state and disease-related limitations in everyday life. The maximum VSQ score was 20 corresponding to the peak negative disease impact found in 23 % and 37 % patients in group 1 (n = 13) and group 2 (n = 23), respectively. Many patients also noted lack of lubrication most likely associated with discomfort and pain during intercourse, as well as worsened relationship with partner.
Conclusion. The vulvar dystrophy negatively affects sexual function in young women. Symptoms typical to such conditions impose marked restrictions on intimate life, relationships and quality of general life. It accounts for why it is important to include questionnaires in the set of measures to assess sexual function and vulvovaginal symptoms both before and after treatment.
About the Authors
A. G. Solopova
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Antonina G. Solopova – MD, Dr Sci Med, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filatov Clinical Institute of Children’s Health
Scopus Author ID: 6505479504. Researcher ID: Q-1385-2015
2 bldg. 4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str., Moscow 119991
E. E. Achkasov
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Evgeniy E. Achkasov – MD, Dr Sci Med, Professor, Head of the Department of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Clinical Medicine
2 bldg. 4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str., Moscow 119991
A. D. Makatsariya
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexander D. Makatsariya – MD, Dr Sci Med, Academician of RAS, Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filatov Clinical Institute of Children’s Health
Scopus Author ID: 6602363216. Researcher ID: M-5660-2016
2 bldg. 4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str., Moscow 119991
I. V. Khamani
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Inessa V. Khamani – MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Filatov Clinical Institute of Children’s Health
2 bldg. 4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str., Moscow 119991
T. A. Blbulyan
Mkhitar Heratsi Yerevan State Medical University
Armenia
Armenia
Tatevik А. Blbulyan – MD, Assistant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology № 2
2 Koryun Str., Yerevan 0025
V. S. Moskvichyova
Sechenov University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Viktoriya S. Moskvichyova – MD, Clinical Resident, Department of Sports Medicine and Medical Rehabilitation, Institute of Clinical Medicine
Scopus Author ID: 57201495137. Researcher ID: H-2410-2019
2 bldg. 4, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Str., Moscow 119991
References
1. Krapf J.M., Mitchell L., Holton M.A., Goldstein A.T. Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Current Perspectives. Int J Womens Health. 2020;12:11–20. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S191200.
2. Dzhangishieva A.K., Uvarova E.V., Batyrova Z.K. Lichen sclerosus: modern view on clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment methods (analytical review). [Skleroziruyushchij lihen vul'vy: sovremennyj vzglyad na klinicheskie proyavleniya, diagnostiku i metody lecheniya (analiticheskij obzor)]. Reproduktivnoe zdorov'e detej i podrostkov. 2018;(3):34–54. (In Russ). https://doi.org/10.24411/1816-2134-2018-13003.
3. Zarochentseva N.V., Dzhidzhikhia L.K. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus: modern view on the problem. [Skleroatroficheskij lihen vul'vy: sovremennyj vzglyad na problem]. Rossijskij vestnik akusheraginekologa. 2018;18(6):41–50. (In Russ). https://doi.org/10.17116/rosakush20181806141.
4. Nair P.A. Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus. J Midlife Health. 2017;8(2):55–62. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.JMH_13_17.
5. Tran D.A., Xiaohui T., Macri C.J. et al. Lichen Sclerosus: an autoimmunopathologenic and genomic enigma with emerging genetic and immune targets. Int J Biol Sci. 2019;15(7):1429–39. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.34613.
6. Lewis F.M., Tatnall F.M., Velangi S.S. et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of lichen sclerosus, 2018. Br J Dermatol. 2018;178(4):839–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16241.
7. Bleeker M.C., Visser P.J., Overbeek L.I. et al. Lichen sclerosus: incidence and risk of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2016;25(8):1224–30. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-16-0019.
8. Major J., Brackenbury F., Gibbon K., Tomson N. The impact of vulval disease on patients’ quality of life. J Comm Nurs. 2016;30(2):40–4.
9. Solopova A.G., Achkasov E.E., Makatsariya A.D., Moskvichyova V.S., Ivanov A.E. Psycho-emotional profile of patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. [Psihoemocional'nyj portret pacientok so skleroziruyushchim lihenom vul'vy]. Akusherstvo, Ginekologia i Reprodukcia. 2020;14(2):203–10. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2020.106.
10. Vittrup G., Moerup L., Heilesen T. et al. PO-02-015 Quality of life and sexuality in Danish women with lichen sclerosus. J Sex Med. 2019;16(5 Suppl 2):S80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.03.256.
11. Jia X., Rana N., Crouss T., Whitmore K.E. Gynecological associated disorders and management. Int J Urol. 2019;26(Suppl 1):46–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/iju.13974.
12. Vieira-Baptista P., Almeida G., Bogliatto F. et al. International society for the study of vulvovaginal disease recommendations regarding female cosmetic genital surgery. J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2018;22(4):415–34. https://doi.org/10.1097/LGT.0000000000000412.
13. Rosen R., Brown C., Heiman J. et al. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000;26(2):191–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/009262300278597.
14. Gutierrez-Ontalvilla P., Botella R., Iborra M. et al. The Female Sexual Function Index to assess patients with moderate to severe vulvar lichen sclerosus. Eur J Dermatol. 2019;29(4):430–1. https://doi.org/ 10.1684/ejd.2019.3580.
15. Erekson E.A., Yip S.O., Wedderburn T.S. et al. The VSQ:a questionnaire to measure vulvovaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2013;20(9):973–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0b013e318282600b.
16. Van De Nieuwenhof H.P., Meeuwis K.A., Nieboer T.E. et al. The effect of vulvar lichen sclerosus on quality of life and sexual functioning. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol. 2010;31(4):279–84. https://doi.org/10.3109/0167482X.2010.507890.
17. Kohn J., McClatchey T., Vyas A. PD54-08 Validation of the VSQ to assess sexual function in women with vulvar lichen sclerosus and lichen planus. J Urol. 2018;199(4S):e1054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2018.02.2616.
Review
For citations:
Solopova A.G., Achkasov E.E., Makatsariya A.D., Khamani I.V., Blbulyan T.A., Moskvichyova V.S. Assessing sexual function and vulvovaginal symptoms in young patients with vulvar dystrophy. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. 2020;14(6):622-629. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2020.127
Views:
821
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Email this article 
