Opinion

June 1, 2023

Lichen sclerosus associated with incontinence – urine as a possible trigger

Women who suffer from urinary incontinence may have a higher risk of genital lichen sclerosus. This is indicated by study results from England. Lisa Kirby from the University of Nottingham investigated whether there is a connection between incontinence and lichen sclerosus in women as well as in men. The study included 126 women with lichen sclerosus and compared them with a group of women with other diseases of the vulva. The rate of urinary incontinence was examined. The data suggest that women with incontinence are up to three times more likely to develop lichen sclerosus (Kirby et al. Br J Dermatol 2021; 185, 1063-1065).