Clinical Presentation of Clitorodynia Associated with Clitoral Adhesions and Keratin Pearls
Authors: Krapf J , Mautz T , Lorenzini S , Holloway J , Goldstein A 
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Clitoral adhesions occur when the clitoral prepuce adheres to the glans clitoris. This can lead to accumulation of desquamated epithelial cells under the prepuce, resulting in the formation of smegmatic pseudocysts and keratin pearls. A keratin pearl is a focus of central keratinization within concentric layers of squamous cells. Presence of these firm, millimeter-sized masses can lead to clitoral pain (similar to a grain of sand in the eye). Although keratin pearls have been described in the literature, there is little known about their clinical presentation or association with female sexual dysfunction (FSD).

Objective

Explore the clinical presentation of clitoral pain associated with clitoral adhesions and keratin pearls related to concomitant genitopelvic pain conditions and sexual dysfunction.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted in two metropolitan gynecology clinics specializing in vulvar pain between January 2018 and September 2021. Patients presenting with clitoral pain (clitorodynia) were identified in the electronic medical record through a search of physician-entered diagnoses and confirmed by review of the clinical notes. Adult patients with documented clitoral pain as well as clitoral adhesions (clitoral phimosis) and keratin pearls noted on exam were included in the study. FSD was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Data was presented in means and percentages.

Results

Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Average age at presentation was 35 years (range 19-73 years). Self-reported ethnicity of the study population was 73% White, 5% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 2% Black, with no response from 15% of participants. Vulvar lichen sclerosus was noted in 17% (7/41) of patients, with an average age of 46 years (range 24-73 years). Seventy-six percent (31/41) of patients also had the diagnosis of overactive (hypertonic) pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (PFD), 25% (8/31) had pudendal neuralgia and 10% (3/31) had interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Forty-six percent (19/41) of patients had provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) associated with a hormonal factor (hormonal contraceptive use, postpartum/breastfeeding, perimenopause, or menopause). Recurrent vulvar candidiasis or tinea cruris was noted in 5% of patients. Four patients (10%) presented with clitoral pain alone and were not found to have other identified genitopelvic pain conditions. Baseline FSFI and FSDS-R data were available in 35 patients. Mean FSFI score was 13.25, with 91% of patients meeting criteria for FSD (total FSFI score &lt; 26.55). Mean scores for FSFI domains were: desire (2.4), arousal (2.1), lubrication (2.5), orgasm (2.0), satisfaction (2.5), and pain (1.6). Mean FSDS-R score was 29.42, with 89% of patients meeting criteria for FSD (FSDS-R score ³11).

Conclusions

Clitoral pain associated with clitoral adhesions and keratin pearls occurs in women of all ages. Clitoral adhesions are not confined to patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus. A vast majority of patients with clitoral adhesions and keratin pearls have additional chronic vulvar pain conditions, most commonly overactive PFD, pudendal neuralgia, or hormonally-associated PVD. Clitoral pain with clitoral adhesions and keratin pearls is associated with FSD and sexual distress. Clitorodynia and clitoral phimosis should be identified in the clinical evaluation of genitopelvic pain.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Consultant for Good Clean Love and Mahana Therapeutics; part-time employee of Dare Bioscience. Received research funding from Dare Science, SST, Endoceutics, The Cellular Medicine Association, and Ipsen for other projects. He is a consultant for Ipsen, SST, and AMAG