Abstract
There have been considerable advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of pruritus in recent years. The purpose of this review was to highlight itch entities in women, and in particular pruritic vulvar dermatoses that women experience among different age groups. Unique temporal shifts may contribute to the etiology of many of these conditions. These changes lead to cyclical changes in the skin's basic composition. Specifically, estrogen receptors have been detected on keratinocytes that respond to rising and falling levels of estrogen. These receptors lead to changes in skin hydration, collagen content, and in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans that form the skin barrier. In addition, hormonal pH changes associated with the menstrual cycle may be an important factor in the aggravation of itch as increasing pH is known to activate the proteinase-activated receptor-2, a well-known itch mediator. Common pruritic conditions in women that will be discussed include atopic and irritant dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, infectious vulvovaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, squamous cell carcinoma, lichen simplex chronicus, and neuropathic itch. We also examine pruritic conditions associated with pregnancy including pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy. Finally, acceptable and contraindicated antipruritic agents in pregnancy are examined.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 157-167 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Dermatologic Therapy |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- female itch
- itch
- pruritus
- vulvovaginal itch
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Cite this
Female-specific pruritus from childhood to postmenopause : Clinical features, hormonal factors, and treatment considerations. / Rimoin, Lauren P.; Kwatra, Shawn G.; Yosipovitch, Gil.
In: Dermatologic Therapy, Vol. 26, No. 2, 01.03.2013, p. 157-167.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Female-specific pruritus from childhood to postmenopause
T2 - Clinical features, hormonal factors, and treatment considerations
AU - Rimoin, Lauren P.
AU - Kwatra, Shawn G.
AU - Yosipovitch, Gil
PY - 2013/3/1
Y1 - 2013/3/1
N2 - There have been considerable advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of pruritus in recent years. The purpose of this review was to highlight itch entities in women, and in particular pruritic vulvar dermatoses that women experience among different age groups. Unique temporal shifts may contribute to the etiology of many of these conditions. These changes lead to cyclical changes in the skin's basic composition. Specifically, estrogen receptors have been detected on keratinocytes that respond to rising and falling levels of estrogen. These receptors lead to changes in skin hydration, collagen content, and in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans that form the skin barrier. In addition, hormonal pH changes associated with the menstrual cycle may be an important factor in the aggravation of itch as increasing pH is known to activate the proteinase-activated receptor-2, a well-known itch mediator. Common pruritic conditions in women that will be discussed include atopic and irritant dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, infectious vulvovaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, squamous cell carcinoma, lichen simplex chronicus, and neuropathic itch. We also examine pruritic conditions associated with pregnancy including pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy. Finally, acceptable and contraindicated antipruritic agents in pregnancy are examined.
AB - There have been considerable advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of pruritus in recent years. The purpose of this review was to highlight itch entities in women, and in particular pruritic vulvar dermatoses that women experience among different age groups. Unique temporal shifts may contribute to the etiology of many of these conditions. These changes lead to cyclical changes in the skin's basic composition. Specifically, estrogen receptors have been detected on keratinocytes that respond to rising and falling levels of estrogen. These receptors lead to changes in skin hydration, collagen content, and in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans that form the skin barrier. In addition, hormonal pH changes associated with the menstrual cycle may be an important factor in the aggravation of itch as increasing pH is known to activate the proteinase-activated receptor-2, a well-known itch mediator. Common pruritic conditions in women that will be discussed include atopic and irritant dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, infectious vulvovaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, squamous cell carcinoma, lichen simplex chronicus, and neuropathic itch. We also examine pruritic conditions associated with pregnancy including pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy. Finally, acceptable and contraindicated antipruritic agents in pregnancy are examined.
KW - female itch
KW - itch
KW - pruritus
KW - vulvovaginal itch
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84875850328&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84875850328&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/dth.12034
DO - 10.1111/dth.12034
M3 - Article
C2 - 23551372
AN - SCOPUS:84875850328
VL - 26
SP - 157
EP - 167
JO - Dermatologic Therapy
JF - Dermatologic Therapy
SN - 1396-0296
IS - 2
ER -