A cross-sectional study on female genital dermatoses of non-venereal and non-infectious etiology

Abstract

: Various dermatological disorders, including sexually or nonsexually transmitted infections and non-venereal disorders, are present on the genitalia. As with epidemiology, the etiology and pathogenesis of many diseases of the female genitalia are not well understood. In the literature review, we found a paucity of studies on non-venereal dermatoses affecting female genitalia in India. The current study was conducted to estimate the frequency and the clinical pattern of non-infectious, non-venereal dermatoses affecting female genitalia.A cross-sectional study on female genital dermatoses of non-venereal and non-infectious etiologyA total of 48 adult female participants with only non-infectious, non-venereal genital dermatoses attending a tertiary care hospital were enrolled. Cases with a venereal or infectious cause were excluded. A detailed history, including demographic data and complaints related to genital lesions, was elicited. Examination of the genitalia and extra-genital area were done. Relevant investigations were done. The diagnosis was established. Analysis was done using MS Excel 13.: The majority of participants were middle-aged with a mean age of 44.2 ± 9.5 years. The most common non-venereal genital dermatoses were Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, a premalignant conditions (27.1%), followed by pigmentary condition (25.0%), papulo-squamous dermatosis (25.0%), vesiculo-bullous conditions (8.3%), physiological conditions (6.3%), benign conditions (6.3%), and malignant conditions (2.0%). 82.2% of participants had dermatosis over the genitalia only. Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus was the most common dermatoses involving only genitalia.Thirteen different dermatoses were observed involving female genitalia. Although there seems to be some lack of knowledge about genital dermatoses, shyness, and apprehension to seek healthcare facilities in society, females are still concerned about the aesthetics of the genitalia as fifty percent of cases presented with the pigmentary changes of genitalia.