Clinical and epidemiological study of non-venereal genital diseases in females

Background: Dermatoses which are not sexually transmitted are referred to as non-venereal dermatoses of external genitalia. Venereal and non-venereal dermatoses tend to be confused and it is associated with guilt feeling in affected patients. The aim of the study was to study the incidence of non-venereal lesions of the genitalia and to know the incidence of non-venereal lesions of the genitalia in association with dermatoses of other parts of the body. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, clinical and observational study in 250 female patients attending dermatovenereology OPD of Vydehi Hospital, Bengaluru with non-venereal genital lesions for a period of 18 months. cases having venereal diseases were excluded from the study. Results: The study included 250 female patients with non-venereal genital lesions. Twenty-five different types of non-venereal dermatoses were observed. Inflammatory disorders were most common accounting for 128 patients (51.2%). Among inflammatory disorders lichen simplex chronicus was seen most followed by lichen sclerosus. Candidiasis was found to be more common among infections and infestations. Vitiligo was the commonest pigmentary disorder seen in our study. Other cases noted include epidermal inclusion cyst, Bartholin cyst and fibroepithelial stromal polyp. Pre malignant conditions like Bowenoid papulosis and malignant lesions like squamous cell carcinoma are also seen. Conclusions: This study helps in understanding the importance of diagnosis of non-venereal dermatoses and to differentiate it from venereal causes.