Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Loo53 on January 03, 2021, 10:32:24 AM

Title: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Loo53 on January 03, 2021, 10:32:24 AM
Apart from steroid creams does anyone use anything else?
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Cazikins on January 03, 2021, 01:09:17 PM
Hi Loo,
I was given Dermol lotion to wash with but other than that just Betnovate.
Cazikins
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Gilla999 on January 03, 2021, 01:44:26 PM
Sadly not, I've been given steroid cream for the last 8 years which helps a little but not much. Without meaning to sound negative it does feel like another "women's problem" that doesn't really get taken seriously or invested in.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Cazikins on January 03, 2021, 01:53:35 PM
It seems to be a "wait, watch & monitor"  between me & my G.P. I was only diagnosed with it in June this year but we also picked up tenderness around the urethra so she referred me to a gynae but the appointments not till April.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Joaniepat on January 03, 2021, 05:42:07 PM
This is lichen sclerosus awareness week, so here is a link for anyone interested.

https://lsvcukawareness.weebly.com/?fbclid=IwAR18qfvV2NsD6FYI7v047ypCD2JykOM7DFc2AOGhnlGHG1kfvVcX01AVw7w

JP x
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Loo53 on January 31, 2021, 06:50:59 AM
Thanks for your replies I mentioned this to this GP I have and he just acted like he doesn’t really know what I’m talking about. This is a cause of my UTIs as well I am sure.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Dierdre on January 31, 2021, 10:20:57 AM
I have Dermovate for flare ups, then can use twice a day for up to a month but have never needed to use that long. Also i use Ovestin everynight, my vulva specialist recommended the combination. Never use soap, i wash with Cetraben and wash my underwear on 60° but no detergent then tumble dry. I also use vagifem 5 times a week, touch wood haven't had a major lichen flare up for nearly 3 years now. Stress was the cause then. If i feel a blip the Dermovate usually sorts it in a few days now before it escalates. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: jackelburger on March 02, 2021, 07:54:07 PM
I had an appointment today with a gynaecologist after being to various GPs about suspected LS/VA for the past 18 months.   I've been prescribed the betnovate steroid cream to use nightly for 2 weeks then as needed.   Diprobase to wash with and another to use as a barrier cream.  She also prescribed Vagifem, every day for 1 week and then 5 times per week.  I'm hoping it's going to help!
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Dierdre on March 02, 2021, 09:56:40 PM
Sounds like a similar regime to mine and its working well for me. You might want to also ask for Ovestin or similar  to use externally as well as the vagifem if needed.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Winter on March 03, 2021, 10:08:09 AM
My dermatologist suspected this years ago. I got referred to a gynae, and she said it was low iron. I had an ablation, and the itching stopped.

Possibly have your serum ferritin levels checked, as it can affect the itching.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Cazikins on April 09, 2021, 04:25:30 PM
I'm having a vulvoscopy at the end of this month as I have LS & also a possible cyst so they want to check it's nothing sinister etc. For the last 4 days I've had a white discharge that seems to be coming from my vagina & urethra does anyone think this could be connected to L.S.?
I have a face/face appt with my G.P. on Monday but just asking if anyone here may have an idea of what might be going on - thanks.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Loo53 on May 10, 2021, 05:23:32 PM
I have Dermovate for flare ups, then can use twice a day for up to a month but have never needed to use that long. Also i use Ovestin everynight, my vulva specialist recommended the combination. Never use soap, i wash with Cetraben and wash my underwear on 60° but no detergent then tumble dry. I also use vagifem 5 times a week, touch wood haven't had a major lichen flare up for nearly 3 years now. Stress was the cause then. If i feel a blip the Dermovate usually sorts it in a few days now before it escalates. Hope this helps.

Definitely detergent is a big culprit that Centraben sounds a better option. I did use E45 itch cream a few days ago and so far no itching. I do try never to scratch anyway.
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: racjen on May 10, 2021, 06:23:45 PM
I was diagnosed about 10 years ago, and for most of that time all I've needed was the odd period of using Dermovate on a weekly basis and it's calmed down. I had breast cancer treatment 5 years ago, and the oral steroids they give you during chemo had the effect of completely stopping the LS in its tracks for several years. However, I'm now having a huge flare-up - I think caused by a combination of being in a sexual relationship again after years of celibacy, also the meds I'm on for depression and anxiety make me chronically constipated which really doesn't help. My LS has always been worst in the perineal area, which I think is connected with the fact that I tore there during both of my two labours; I had a look a couple of days ago and the whiteness has increased dramatically, also there's what looks like a small ulcer which is extremely painful. I'm seeing my GP tomorrow and wondering what she'll suggest, not looking forward to having to have another biopsy if that's required.....
Title: Re: Lichen sclerosis
Post by: Loo53 on May 11, 2021, 04:46:15 PM
I was diagnosed about 10 years ago, and for most of that time all I've needed was the odd period of using Dermovate on a weekly basis and it's calmed down. I had breast cancer treatment 5 years ago, and the oral steroids they give you during chemo had the effect of completely stopping the LS in its tracks for several years. However, I'm now having a huge flare-up - I think caused by a combination of being in a sexual relationship again after years of celibacy, also the meds I'm on for depression and anxiety make me chronically constipated which really doesn't help. My LS has always been worst in the perineal area, which I think is connected with the fact that I tore there during both of my two labours; I had a look a couple of days ago and the whiteness has increased dramatically, also there's what looks like a small ulcer which is extremely painful. I'm seeing my GP tomorrow and wondering what she'll suggest, not looking forward to having to have another biopsy if that's required.....

Sorry to hear this. Must be awful for you hope you get sorted soon