Laser Therapy in Women With Lichenoid Disorders

Inclusion criteria * women age \>18 years * diagnosed with LD (VLS or LP histologically proven) * Clinical LS score ≥ 4 based on the score of Günthert et al. \[1\] * Normal Pap-smear within 24 months * negative clinical and microscopic evaluation of vaginal fluid * Negative test for STD (sexually transmitted diseases) pathogens (chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital mycoplasma and trichomonas) if symptomic including abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal fluid * Good German language skills * written informed consent * preceding local corticoid therapy of at least 12 weeks according to the current guideline for LD Exclusion criteria: * women with contraindications for the use of laser on the skin * pregnancy * presence of vulvar pathology (other than lichen) * any vulvar/ vaginal infection * immunocompromised women * swollen lymph nodes * genital malignant disease * allergy to topical anaesthesia * connective tissue disease * keloid formation * Patients with a legal guardian * Body Mass Index \> 35 kg/m² * History of transvaginal mesh implant (excluding sling or sacrocolpopexy mesh) * Coagulopathy * patients using anticoagulants * patients with renal, hepatic or pulmonary-cardiovascular failure * patients who have undergone any kind of organ transplantation in the last three years.