M. Sideri et al., TOPICAL TESTOSTERONE IN THE TREATMENT OF VULVAR LICHEN-SCLEROSUS, International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics, 46(1), 1994, pp. 53-56
Objectives: Comparison between 2% testosterone propionate and petrolat
um ointment in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus in a randomize
d, double-blind, controlled clinical study. Methods: Fifty-eight conse
cutive patients with histologically confirmed vulvar lichen sclerosus
were enrolled. They underwent a 1-year period of topical treatment wit
h either medication, with clinical evaluations of symptoms and gross a
ppearance at 2-month intervals, followed by histological evaluation at
the end of the treatment period. Statistical analysis was performed a
ccording to the chi-squared test and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. Re
sults: A substantial improvement in symptoms was achieved in 20 (66.6%
) patients in the testosterone group and in 21 (75%) patients in the p
lacebo group. No statistical differences were observed between the two
groups. Gross changes were observed in a few cases and no case demons
trated histologic modifications. Conclusions: Petrolatum ointment is a
s effective as 2% testosterone in the treatment of vulvar lichen scler
osus.