Contribution to the Treatment of Essential Pruritus and Kraurosis Vulvae

Abstract

THE HORMONAL treatment of essential pruritus, kraurosis and leukoplakia of the vulva gives a more favorable prospect for alleviating the symptoms and curing the conditions than any known form of therapy. Roentgen-ray therapy in a series of 22 patients with such degenerative disorders resulted in cure in 27 per cent and temporary relief in 23 per cent of the patients, the remaining 50 per cent being refractory to treatment. Estrogenic therapy in a group of 38 patients suffering from pruritus vulvae resulted in cure in 66 per cent of the cases (4). The local use of an ointment containing estrogen was instituted because it appeared that, when injected, only a fraction of the follicular hormone is utilized by the affected vulval tissues and the prolonged parenteral treatment and high dosage was unnecessary. This mode of topical medication was started independent of Zondek's (10) studies along the same lines and at about the same time.