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It 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 - 5:27pmThis Comment
I was at the end of my rope too, read an article online about Dr. Andrew Goldstein in DC and contacted his office out of sheer desperation. He doesn't take insureance and I had to travel there, but I bit the bullet and went to see him. He has really helped me! I couldn't have intercourse without really serious tearing and am now happily sexually active. Good luck!
April 30, 2012 - 1:33pmThis Comment
What did the doctor say?
December 19, 2012 - 2:18amThis Comment
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,
September 28, 2008 - 5:50pmThis Comment
I 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.
This Comment
You should definitely get a second opinion. It is fine to use the suggested treatment if you do have Lichen Schelorus or another similar skin condition- but the Dr diagnosing you just from an exam is not enough. You need to get a biopsy to confirm that it is LS before you commence with the appropriate treatment. If you use the LS treatments and do not have it, you could do more damage. Get as many opinions as possible and never accept LS treatments without a biopsy diagnosis and never except thrush/infection treatments without getting a swab test as these treatments can also result in skin problems. Don't give up and keep searching for answers and you will find relief. Good luck!
March 31, 2018 - 9:54pmThis Comment
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 - 10:22amThis Comment
Hello 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...
This Comment
I'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 - 12:37pmThis Comment
My 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 - 7:40pmThis Comment