Genital vitiligo: what it is, how to tell it apart and how it is treated

Finding a white patch in the intimate area can be worrying, and many people feel too embarrassed to ask about it. So let us start with the most important facts: genital vitiligo is common, it is not an infection, it cannot be passed on to a partner and it does not affect fertility. It does deserve a proper diagnosis, though – a few other conditions can look similar and need different treatment.

What genital vitiligo looks like

Vitiligo causes clearly outlined, milky-white patches where the skin has lost its pigment. In the intimate area it may appear on the vulva, the penis or scrotum, around the anus, in the groin creases or on the inner thighs, and hair growing in a patch may turn white. Genital patches sometimes appear on their own, and sometimes together with patches on the hands, around the mouth or elsewhere. The skin in the patch looks and feels completely normal apart from the colour.

Is it vitiligo or something else?

This is the main reason to see a GP, a sexual health clinic or a dermatologist. Several conditions can cause pale skin in the genital area:

• Lichen sclerosus – the most important one to rule out. It typically causes itching or soreness, the skin may look shiny, thin or wrinkled ("porcelain-like"), and it can lead to small tears and scarring. It needs specific treatment and regular follow-up. Vitiligo, by contrast, does not itch, hurt or change the skin's texture.
• Pale marks after inflammation – for example after eczema, an infection or irritation.
• Fungal infections – usually with redness, scaling or itching.

Sometimes the two conditions can even appear together, so a doctor may want to examine the skin closely or, occasionally, take a small sample. Please do not self-treat until you know what it is.

How genital vitiligo is treated in the UK

Skin in the intimate area is thin and absorbs creams easily, so treatment is gentler than on the rest of the body. The British Association of Dermatologists guideline suggests that, for sensitive areas such as the genitals, a steroid cream is used intermittently rather than continuously, and that it may be alternated with tacrolimus ointment. Your doctor will decide the strength, how often to apply it and for how long.

• Light therapy: genital skin is thin and not used to light. During hospital phototherapy men's genitals are shielded as standard, and for women the decision is made individually. Do not use a home UVB lamp on the genital area unless a dermatologist has specifically advised it and shown you how.
• Cosmetics: do not apply gels, self-tanners or camouflage products to mucous membranes or inside the genital area.
• Everything else: if you also have vitiligo elsewhere – hands, face or neck – those areas can be treated in the usual way, including home 311 nm light therapy. Our day-by-day treatment plan explains the routine.

Supporting the body from the inside is the same for every area: a varied diet, enough sleep, managing stress and, if you wish, a daily supplement such as Vitistop Tablets – they contain copper, which contributes to normal skin pigmentation.

Everyday intimate care

• Gentle washing. Use plain water or a mild, fragrance-free wash; avoid scented products, douches and harsh soaps.
• Less friction. Choose soft, breathable cotton underwear and avoid very tight clothing that rubs. Friction and small injuries can trigger new patches in people with vitiligo (the Koebner phenomenon).
• Hair removal. Shaving cuts and waxing can irritate the skin. Trimming is the gentlest option; if you shave, use a sharp blade and a gel.
• Moisture. A simple, fragrance-free emollient can help if the skin feels dry.

Sex, relationships and wellbeing

Vitiligo does not affect sexual function or fertility and cannot be passed on through sex. Still, many people feel self-conscious about patches in the intimate area. It often helps to explain to a partner, simply, that it is a pigment condition – not an infection – and that it is not painful. If vitiligo is affecting your mood or confidence, tell your GP; support is available, and talking to others who live with vitiligo can make a real difference.

Frequently asked questions

Vitiligo on other parts of the body

Sources: NHS – Vitiligo; Eleftheriadou V. et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with vitiligo 2021, Br J Dermatol 2022; NICE TA1140 – ruxolitinib cream for non-segmental vitiligo (March 2026); DermNet – Vitiligo.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Vitiligo should be diagnosed by a GP or dermatologist, and any new or changing skin patch is worth showing to a doctor. Our products support skin care alongside the treatment your doctor recommends.