The Impact of Psychosexual Counseling in Women With Lichen Sclerosus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Gitte Vittrup, Signe Westmark, Johannes Riis, Lisbeth Mørup, Tina Heilesen, Doris Jensen, Dorte Melgaard, Gitte Vittrup, Signe Westmark, Johannes Riis, Lisbeth Mørup, Tina Heilesen, Doris Jensen, Dorte Melgaard

Abstract

Introduction: Lichen sclerosus (LS) can affect sexuality and quality of life (QoL).

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of psychosexual counseling in women with LS.

Materials and methods: One hundred fifty-eight women 18 years or older, newly diagnosed with LS, and referred to North Denmark Regional Hospital from January 2018 to November 2019 were included. The women were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to usual care or an intervention group receiving usual care and up to 8 individual consultations with a specialist in sexual counseling. Spouses or partners were encouraged to participate. The women filled out the questionnaires Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index at baseline and after 6 months.

Results: The controls presented a mean score of 14.8 ± 8.7 and the intervention group presented a mean score of 12.8 ± 8.9 at FSFI. At follow-up, the controls had an FSFI score of 15.2 ± 9.2 and the intervention group revealed an FSFI score of 18.3 ± 9.5. Both groups experienced improved sexual functioning and for the intervention group the increase was significant ( p < .001).At baseline, the Dermatology Life Quality Index mean score was 8.9 ± 5.6 for the control group and 9.3 ± 6.1 for the intervention group. At follow-up, the controls revealed a score of 8.6 ± 5.5 and the intervention group a score of 6.8 ± 5.8. The intervention group reached a significantly higher degree of QoL than the controls ( p = .008).

Conclusions: Psychosexual counseling has a significant impact on sexual functioning and QoL in women with LS.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03419377.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared they have no conflicts of interest.

Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the ASCCP.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Structure and content of psychosexual counselling.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Inclusion process and flow of participants.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Effect of intervention compared with control on subscales of the FSFI questionnaire. Specific questions defining each subscale are shown to the left.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Figure shows effect of intervention compared with control on questions of the DLQI.

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Source: PubMed

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