Will sex ALWAYS hurt??

Nicole - I sympathise and nobody can tell you whether or not you will have a normal sex life again or not.  I trust you are seeing a gynae?  I am lucky in that I managed to get to my 50's before developing LS.  All I can advise (if you are seeing a gynae - and if you aren't, I suggest you do so asap) is to try and keep the opening to your vag lubricated and stretched.  Mine keeps trying to adhere itself together - it feels as though I've cut myself - and I have to apply oil and gently tear it apart again.  It hurts.  Unfortunately, I only started doing this after it had sealed some distance and I think I have left it too late.  However, if my LS symptoms every die down completely, there is a small op. to increase the opening.  Don't give up hope.  It may take a while but LS can stop as quickly as it started.  The important thing is to try and stay healthy and not to allow yourself to dwell on the problem - something which comes with a lot of practise!

 

Nicole, I had LS from the age of 22. I was with a sexually demanding husband, so I often had sex while my perineum had an open tear or I had a yeast infection. But there were lots of times when things were cleared up and sex was good. I had a baby at 30 and one at 34, no problems. It seems that LS tends to clear up during pregnancy. In my late thirties and forties after a long period of no sex in the bad marriage I left him and then I had my hottest period ever. Years of great sex.

Just don't try to have sex when you're already sore. There are things you wouldn't think of doing with your mouth if your lip was split and you had a raging rash there.

Nicole, firstly, you need to make sure that you are seeing a specialist that understands LS, as many do not!!  Look for a Vulva clinic, where LS is seen often, as it is imperative at such a young age that you are receiving the correct treatment from the start.   Meanwhile, avoid sex when you are sore, or cut, as that will only exacerbate the problem, (there are other things that you can do in the bedroom whilst you are healing)   Google  "The Mona Lisa Touch"  which is something some women are actively trying and posting about on this site, it is something I am quietly waiting the results on... as it may be something I may try myself next year.  Try not to stress too much, as stress is bad for LS.

Hi Nicole, I just wanted to give you some sort of hope. I think I had this when I was in my early twenties. At different times in my life I have had remissions. I have had times when I have had sex with my husband every night for weeks with no adverse effects and other times when sex has been painful but always it has been worth it. Now we have no sex life but we have a great marriage. I think this is because I was determined not to let this condition rule my life. Don't worry about the future. Concentrate on today and the now. There will be times when you will be down and other times when you will be happy and things will be great. I also had a great pregnancy and despite a ceasarian birth caused by other problems, I had great sex for a few years after. I also felt that pregnancy caused a remission. Remission also occurred at other times although I couldn't tell you why. Just live day by day and remember to moisturise and keep clean. Use the clobetasol or whatever treatment you are prescribed when your condition dictates. Try not to worry. xxx

Hi Nicole. I have LS too and am 19. I have a great boyfriend who's really supportive and I have had LS symptoms for a long time now but docs and myself did not realise. Initiially sex was ok then suddenly I could not have it at all without my vagina being ripped! It was horrible but I bought dilators and I used them every night and then we were back to having normal and great sex. At the moment now I've gone backwards a bit as I had my period and we didn't see eachother for a week and I didn't use the dilators. So I think my vagina has tightened up again. So my advice is frequent use of the dilators, I'm going to try use them in the morning quickly like brushing my teeth! So I get into the habit and get rid of the bad sex! There is hope and I think as we are younger we can control it more than others. You will not have a sexless relationship. Just message me if you ever want to talk! 

Kasia