ask: I was just prescribed clobetasol propionate cream for vulvar dystrophy. The doctor did not mention anything about sex.
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Hi, brimarie95:
It looks like your post was cut off, so I'm not sure what your question was. Please feel free to repost your question.
One of our Experts has posted some information on vulvodynia and there are more resources here.
If you're experiencing pain or discomfort, you might find some helpful information in Dr. Caroline Pukall's discussion (audio).
Again, please feel free to repost your question so that we can help you find the information you're looking for.
June 23, 2008 - 7:50pmThis Comment
I read your post, and assumed you were asking if it is OK to have sex while using the new cream that you were prescribed? Is that your question?
According to MedlinePlus Drub Information on Clobetasol the following information could be related to sexual intercourse and using this product:
1. "Do not let clobetasol get into your eyes, nose, or mouth, and do not swallow it". I would interpret this as being cautious about oral sex when using this product (I am not a doctor, just my cautionary interpretation), however a pharmacist or your doctor can you tell you about the length of time after applying the cream that you would need to abstain from oral sex.
2. "Clobetasol can be absorbed into your body if used in large amounts and can cause harmful effects". Again, many ways to interpret this, but if you used a large amount of cream and had skin-to-skin contact with another person, you may want to check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Let us know if this was more along the line of your question, and we can ask one of our experts for you. I have to assume any medication given to a female for her genitalia would be suitable for intercourse, as long as it is not painful. (Shows you I am assuming that your question is referring to possible harmful effects for your partner and not yourself...let me know if I interpreted your question incorrectly)!
June 24, 2008 - 3:15pmThank you so much. That was exactly my question and concerns. So now I would just need to know if unprotected sex is OK and the amount of time I would need to wait before oral sex or if it should be done at all. I am using a small amount of cream three times per day for the next few weeks or longer.
Thank you so much for your response.
June 24, 2008 - 7:00pmMy thought is that you should practice safe, protected sex, to avoid further infection or potential problems for your partner. Definitely talk to your doctor about this and what you should expect. You can be your own best advocate.
:)
June 24, 2008 - 7:40pmI'm glad some of your questions were answered!
I think a quick phone call to your doctor's office, even to talk with one of the nurses who could answer your question about vaginal and oral sex while using the cream, would be optimal.
As far as protected sex, even a condom "only covers what it covers", but does sound like a good idea for protection.
As far as protected oral sex, have you heard of a dental dam? They are latex, just like condoms, but flat and used for oral sex on a woman. You can buy them online (best brand, in my opinion, is Sheer Glyde), and can be bought at: www.condomania.com (they are about $12 for a pack of 4).
Can you let us know what your doctor/nurse said about vaginal and oral sex, while using Clobetasol, as this information will help other women, too! They may say with the small amount of cream that you are using (how much, exactly?), that you don't need to worry about protected sex...but let us know either way! I'm sure they get this question from other women; it makes sense to ask!
Thanks!!
June 26, 2008 - 12:37pmI have been diagnosed by my Gyno last week for Lichen Sclerosis. So I have some concerns. Does anyone here know anything about LS?
And is it normal for my Gyno to get test result in the office for something that is suppose to be rare, in not even 5 mins?
She didn't even do a biopsy, she just looked and q-tip swiped. My symptoms are very mild! Hardly not itching, barely no redness, no lesions, and no blood though, I do get little cuts on my perineum after sex and that is what made me go have a check up in the first place. Though nothing was so bad that I could not have sex or other activities.
She put me on Clobetasol for 90 days once a day, then come in for a check up and reduce Clobetasol to 3 times per week. I have been on the treatment for 7 days now and though any itching I had went away immediatley, I see redness spreading and a slight burning feeling now! Is this normal for Clobetasol to do this for a first time use? Could I have used to much?
Should I get a second opinion?
Kind Regards,
September 24, 2008 - 9:34pmA girl in need of answers.
Hey girl in need of answers. How smart of you to question your doctor. It's a great start toward advocating for yourself. The National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says "doctors CAN diagnose an advanced case by looking at the skin. However, early or mild disease often requires a biopsy (removal and examination of a small sample of affected skin). Because other diseases of the genitalia can look like lichen sclerosus, a biopsy is advised whenever the appearance of the skin is not typical of lichen sclerosus."
I found this fact page very informative and highly recommend it.
And Clobetasol may cause side effects and include itching, burning, or irritation on the area of skin where clobetasol is applied. I would contact your doctor to let her know about what you're experiencing. You can find more information about Clobetasol information. Are you experiencing any other side effects?
I have also forwarded your question to a very highly regarded nurse who has experience in this area. And hope to have further information for you in a few days.
September 25, 2008 - 10:22amHello Tina T,
Thank you so much for your reply, it is much appreciated!
I have set up an appointment with a dermatologist for a second opinion and will see my Dr. again in 90 days to see how the Clobetasol is working. I will say though, before I started on the Clobetasol (7 days ago) my symptoms were next to nothing except after sex I would have slight tearing. But three days ago I looked to see more redness on my vulva caused by the Clobetasol! I'm thinking that I was putting to much on and not rubbing it in enough. So for the past 2 days I have been using a tiny amount and rubbing it in well.
My Dr. said not to have sex for two weeks while first starting the treatment and I haven't! I do feel that my perineum is not so susceptible to tearing as I have tested a little bit over the past week but not with intercourse, just on my own.
She also said that any irritation after having sex and tearing will go away with treatment and sex will be normal, like it was before I started having symptoms.
Also, what do you know or think about collagen treatment for the vulva? I did a search on collagen and sites came up right away on treating Lichen sclerosis with collagen! Here is a link, let me know what you think.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 2/abstract
Kind Regards,
September 26, 2008 - 6:33amThat girl in need...
Hi Girl in Need,
You're doing all the right things. Lichen Sclerosis (LS) is one of those conditions that can be diagnosed by looking at the skin and confirmed with a biopsy. It's good to treat aggressively at first, to give your skin a chance to heal and recover. Once it's back to "normal" you'll want to prevent it. Some specialists recommend applying a milder steroid cream once each week to keep the symptoms at bay.
Unfortunately, there are many theories about how and why this occurs, but we don't know for sure. The key is to keep the symptoms from returning because the itching, scratching, and cracks can lead to more pain and difficulty controlling it.
Good luck,
NurseBarb
www.NurseBarb.com
September 28, 2008 - 5:50pmIt is confirmed through a biopsy that i have vulvar lichen planus. I am at the end of my rope. i would like to go to a dr who knows more on the disease. I live in NJ can you suggest any physcians?
October 8, 2008 - 5:27pm