Ask the doctor: What is causing my vaginal itching?

Q. I have itching near my vagina, which my doctor says is due to lichen sclerosus. What can you tell me about this condition?

A. In women, lichen sclerosus (LS) is a skin condition that most often occurs around the vulva and anus. It causes the skin in these areas to become thin, whitened, and sometimes wrinkled. Many women have itching or a dull ache, while others have no symptoms.

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