Testosterone maintenance therapy. Effects on vulvar lichen sclerosus treated with clobetasol propionate.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the possible effects of topical testosterone as maintenance therapy after clobetasol propionate treatment.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty-two patients with biopsy-proven vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), after 24 weeks of treatment with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream, were randomly distributed into two groups of 16 each and treated for a further length of time (24 weeks) with testosterone 2% ointment or a cream-based preparation (placebo). The patients were examined before and after treatment for symptoms, gross aspects and histologic features.

RESULTS

With clobetasol propionate all patients had a marked improvement (P < .001) in both clinical and histologic parameters. After clobetasol propionate therapy, the 16 testosterone-treated patients had significant worsening of their symptoms (P < .05%) and no evident changes in gross aspects (P = NS). The placebo-treated group had good symptomatic control of their disease, with no significant changes in symptoms or gross aspects (P = NS).

CONCLUSION

After the good results obtained with clobetasol propionate, treatment with testosterone appeared to have a negative effect, while a regularly provided emollient cream was useful in symptom control.