AbbVie and the French-speaking patient group Psoriasis-Contact are launching a campaign on 29 October, World Psoriasis Day, to break the taboo around genital psoriasis and encourage patients to speak openly about it.
Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects 2% to 3% of the Belgian population. Studies suggest that up to 63% of people with psoriasis experience genital symptoms at some point in their lives.
Yet almost half of those affected have never discussed the problem with their doctor. In Belgium, it takes an average of two and a half years for the condition to be diagnosed.
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Symptoms such as itching, redness, burning and pain can easily be mistaken for irritation, thrush or a sexually transmitted infection. Dermatologist Lisa Goldberg said an accurate diagnosis was essential to ensure patients received the right treatment.
Under European guidelines, genital involvement alone is enough for psoriasis to be classified as moderate to severe. This can justify the use of systemic treatment.
The condition can also have a serious impact on self-confidence, sexual desire and relationships. Sexologist Laurane Wattecamps said shame often caused more harm than the pain itself, adding that people with genital psoriasis could still have a full and satisfying intimate life.
The campaign, called C’est la gêne, includes posters and leaflets in waiting rooms, as well as a dedicated website with information about the disease. A podcast featuring dermatologists, sexologists and patients discussing the illness and intimacy is also available on major audio platforms.
The organisers said patients’ need for information and support remained largely unmet, and that the taboo surrounding this form of psoriasis had become a real societal issue.
Psoriasis-Contact, a volunteer-run non-profit organisation, has been active in Brussels and Wallonia for the past 10 years.
