Vulval disease from the 1800s to the new millennium.

BACKGROUND

The study of vulval disease has become important over the last few decades. Although several inflammatory dermatoses were described at the end of the 19th century, vulval involvement in these conditions was only realized some time later. Indeed, the vulva may be a site of predilection of some inflammatory dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus.

OBJECTIVE

There are now groups of interested dermatologists, gynecologists, and genitourinary physicians that have cooperated to study patients with vulval disease. Hopefully, this will increase our knowledge over the next century.

CONCLUSION

This review article examines vulval disease from an historical viewpoint and highlights important developments that have increased our understanding of the disorders that specifically affect the vulva.