---
title: "Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Age Distribution: What Changed"
description: "Learn how vulvar lichen sclerosus is viewed by age, why it’s not just postmenopausal, and when persistent vulvar itching needs an exam."
url: "https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/vulvar-lichen-sclerosus-age-distribution-what-changed"
---

# Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Age Distribution: What Changed

> Learn how vulvar lichen sclerosus is viewed by age, why it’s not just postmenopausal, and when persistent vulvar itching needs an exam.

## What has changed about the perceived age distribution of vulvar lichen sclerosus?

What’s changed is the way vulvar lichen sclerosus is thought about by age. Here at Alloy, our information says it’s still most commonly diagnosed in postmenopausal women, but it can occur at any age. So the newer view is that it isn’t just an older, postmenopausal condition.

That matters because persistent vulvar itching in perimenopause or menopause can look like GSM or vaginal atrophy at first. As Dr. Corinne Menn explains in this chapter, if itching keeps going despite vaginal estrogen, it needs a careful vulvar exam to check for lichen sclerosus: [Lichen sclerosus vs. GSM: recognizing persistent vulvar itching](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRUrIfaA8_U&t=2587s).

For a quick written overview, our article on [vaginal itching and menopause](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/vaginal-itching-and-menopause) notes that lichen sclerosus is most commonly diagnosed after menopause, though it can happen in women of any age.

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This answer was created using the following resources:

- [Lichen Sclerosis: An Underdiagnosed Condition in Women of Color | Dr. Sameena Rahman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2m4PHD4IG0)
- [Treating Lichen Sclerosis and Hormonal Changes | Dr. Rachel Rubin - Understanding Lichen Sclerosus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFqs33WFg7E)
- [Is This Perimenopause? What You Need To Know | Dr. Corinne Menn - Lichen Sclerosus vs. GSM: Recognizing Persistent Vulvar Itching](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRUrIfaA8_U)
- [Your Menopause Questions Answered | Dr. Sharon Malone - Lichen Sclerosus and Estrogen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRXWN3UbNw)
- [Alloy | Kelly Casperson](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/ask-the-expert-dr-kelly-casperson-on-vaginal-and-sexual-health-in-menopause)
- [Vaginal Itching & Menopause | Menopause Treatment | Alloy](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/vaginal-itching-and-menopause)

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