HEALTH OF WOMAN. 2020.8(154): 76–82; doi 10.15574/HW.2020.154.76
Tatarchuk T. F.¹, Protsenko T. V.², Dunaevskaya V. V.¹, Tzerkovsky D. O.³, Kosei N. V.^4
1SI «Institute of pediatrics, obstetrics and ginecology named academic Elena. M. Lukyanova NAMS of Ukraine»
²Donetsk national medical University M. Gorky
³RNPC OMR NN Alexandrova, Republic of Belarus
⁴SSU «Center for Innovative Medical Technologies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Kyiv

Sclerosing lichen is one of the most common pathophysiological conditions observed in the peri-and postmenopausal periods. This problem is relevant because the clinical symptoms of the disease associated with atrophy (dryness, itching in the vagina and vulva, dyspareunia, dysuria) occur in more than 40% of patients aged over 50 years old. Nowadays the problem of maintaining health and preventing diseases caused by aging has become a central one.
An in-depth analysis and systematization of key issues related to the precancerous pathology of the vulva have been conducted in this article. The first part of the publication covers main issues of epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis and modern classification of sclerotic lichen, the second part presents the main aspects of the clinical picture, differential diagnosis and methods of disease diagnosis. The most effective and relevant treatments are under consideration in the third part of the article. Particular emphasis is made on the use of destructive techniques based on the use of laser technology and other approaches based on the use of physical factors (laser therapy, laser coagulation, cryodestruction). An important role among them is played by such an option as photodynamic therapy – a method of treatment based on the combined use of special substances (photosensitizers) and laser radiation with a certain wavelength.
The authors report that only a comprehensive approach in this pathology treatment is the key to success in combating the main symptoms of the disease, and such an approach is a solution to the issue of effective prevention of vulvar cancer. The detailed information presented in the article is relevant, it can be extremely important for gynecologists, as well as professionals involved in solving problems related to sclerotic lichen.
Keywords: sclerosing lichen, vulva, low-frequency ultrasound cavitation, photodynamic therapy.

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