Serum Levels of Sex Hormones in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus, and the Effect of Topical Testosterone

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic cutaneous disorder of unknown cause that most commonly occurs on the vulva in postmenopausal women. Earlier investigations suggested that the affected tissue is reversibly atrophic and that it has normal metabolic potential. The present study was designed to determine whether levels of sex steroid hormones in serum are altered in this disease and how they are affected by topical testosterone, a recognized form of therapy.