steroid use

You use the cream, Dermovate, when you have active sores etc, not as a preventive. Use Emu oil or coconut oil as a lubricant between flares. Hope this helps.

Hi lora, I was told by my specialist to still use the steroid cream, dermavate or one with a lesser strength at least twice a week when your LS is in remission to prevent it returning. It's great to use oils between but not to rely on as a preventative.. i would ask your GP/specialist if not sure.

Hi. Sorry to disagree with Pollyanne but I am currently using the Dermovate ointment once a day for four weeks, then once every other day for four weeks and then once a week for four weeks on doctor's orders but like you had no active signs of LS. This was because during an exmination for something else the doctor found fusing had occurred and she prescribed the treatment as above. I am returning to her when I have completed this course of treatment but she did say as I left her office last time that I would probably end up having to use the ointment every day. When I challenged her about thinning skin she said that was the least of my problems under the circumstances. I must emphasis again I had no discomfort, itching, swelling or splits at the time but I did already have a diagnosis of LS. When I was originally diagnosed with LS I refused to use the Dermovate as I had 'no symptoms' ........I am still not sure now if the fusing I now have would have not occurred if I had followed the treatment prescibed originally. I now use a mikxture of coconut oil and tea tree oil regularly after toilet visits and Bicarb baths after reading advice on this site. Hope this helps.

Hi Lora101. I'm four weeks in and was told use Dermovate morning and night for three weeks then twice a week for maintenance only. It has worked but I find the twice weekly is not enough for me. I use a very small amount every other day and that's what suits me. I also use coconut oil after every loo visit and wash down there with Aquasol cream. So far so good. Intercourse is impossible so have been advised to use vaginal dilators twice a day to encourage vag to become supple and healthy again. It's all about finding what works for you. Have to say the advice on here from other women across the world is a godsend..... All on here will try to help. They're all lovely and will give encouragement so keep asking and keep popping in regularly. Hang in there x

Hi Lora,

i can see you have received lots of advice. As I mentioned earlier I have had LS for years. I only use steroid cream when I have a flare up. Constant use can contribute to thinning of the skin in this area which leads to tears, possible fusing and more problems. Other suggestions to keep the area protected are listed on this site. Try them and see what works for you. 

This is info from Internet site Dermnet NZ:

What treatment is available for labial adhesions? 

Treatment depends on the cause of the fusion. It does not always require specific treatment. 

Intravaginal oestrogen cream, most often prescribed after menopause

Manual division by gently stretching the two sides until they separate

Topical corticosteroids to control inflammation **

Regularly stretching the opening using fingers, vaginal dilators or regular sexual intercourse 

Surgery to remove scar tissue (Fenton procedure) 

Surgery to bring out uninvolved vaginal tissue to the skin surface (perineoplasty).

** please note. Steroid use for Inflamation. If none don't use unless otherwise instructed. Steroids are like magic. They help for lots of issues that may stem from Inflamation. They can be a blessing. However, Oral steroid should not be used for LS. They have lots of important side effects and no medical proof that oral intake is effective for LS. 

Ladies, please don't assume every word from your doctor is gospel. Not all doctors are created equal. There are some good research articles on LS but they are written in medical terms. Look them up and pass them to your MD if unsure of how you are progressing.

You use the cream twice a week and you must rub the cream in gently for 90 seconds so that the cream will penetrate the deepest skin layer. I  use it regularly even when I have no breakout.

You are all talking about cream - isn't the ointment better?