22 years old and having to deal with this

Hi I'm 20 years old, and have had this for nearly a year. I was properly diagnosed in October, but have been using dermovate since July. I found it helped my symptoms within a few weeks but I still had frequent flare ups, until about a month ago when I kind of felt OK down there for a while. But I still have the flare ups quite regularly, but it seems to be improving. For the grooming, I don't do anything as I've found it to be so painful and uncomfortable to do anything, thankfully my boyfriend is very understanding and doesn't mind. The only problem is through the summer, last summer I tried shaving abit and that's what made me never do it again. 

Hi Cassie

So sorry you have this diagnosis.  I presume you have the Dermovate ointment to use.  And I also assume you are washing with aqueous cream.  fter a while they give you Zerobase to wash with, but I didn't get on with that too well.  They also give you Doublegel  gel which is a moisturising gel you use morning and night.  Initially you have to use the Dermovate for a few weeks every day.  They then wean you off it, seeing how often you get 'flare ups'.  I can't seem to get off it which is very worrying. Going back to specialist next month.

It is very bad luck to get this at such a young age.  Hopefulluy, it will settle down and you have to look after it to make sure you don't get flare ups.  Don't have sex until its completely better and then use lubricant.  Some here recommend Coconut oil.  

Dont use any perfumed products there.  And try to wear skirts and dresses.  No tight clothes or trousers.  I know its impossible, but you have to change your lifestyle a bit.  Hopefully yours is minor.

Keep in touch.  Thinking of you.

Regards.

Jan

Hi

I was about your age when I was diagnoised. It is tuff. I am now 29 and my LS has been under control for a few years.

My first flare up I think lasted for a few months before the steriods had it under control. It takes time but please do as the dr said with regards to the steriod dermovate.

I use a bikini trimmer down there, it keeps the hair short a bonus for creams! But also I find it mkre hygenic for me. I dont wash with any soaps other than on the odd occassion eperderm enointment.

I use diprobase ointment after going to the loo, this is a fantasting moisturse. I keep a small pot on me at all times..my dermie said the ones who moisturse do the best.

If your having problems with sex I can recommend using a vibrator once the LS has calmed down. It helps stretch you back up. Also use so much lube for sex. It is a god send!

It will take time but trust me you can mange this and live a lovely life.

Forgot to mention.  Try cutting as much sugar out of diet as possible.  I am doing this now as I also get constant thrush which is connected to LS.

This is really difficult to do for me, as I am a sugar addict!  Get some probiotic yogurt.  Are you in States or UK?

hi cassie i have had it a few years now. this site is very help full so read all you can to help cure it. i have started with problems with my gut now since i have had this. best cure is a stress free life, but we all have stress at some point in our life.  i've not had sex for a while this has helped with the healing progress.  thou at the moment i have not got a partner he found it hard to deal with so it came to an happy end for me. 

Hi Cass, glad to see you here and share your experience/struggle with LS. with all of us.  It's no easy thing to live with, but very possible to live a good life. 

For me bicarbonate baths and rinses kept all calmed down there; then apply coconut oil or emu oil, whatever feels comfortable, to moisturize.  Plus a strict diet - sugar being the most important to leave out as much as possible.  (For me also gluten free, dairy free, alcohol and caffeine free)  

I also keep dilating, as sampleremix mentioned, as LS wants to narrow the vulva area. 

The above next to the smallest amount of globetasol/steroid.  

I encourage you to read and learn as much as you can about this disease.

This site has been so helpful to me.  Wouldn't have made it without the support of the people on this forum.

Wishing you well. 

Wishing you well.     

Hi Cass

Think of it this way.  I have only recently been diagnosed at the age of 60!  I have suffered my whole adut life with this without a real diagnosis.  I thought  I kept having thrush but in reality it was combined with LS!  Sex has always been a problem.  It is only now that I am getting proper treatment.  It isn't under control yet, but I am working hard at it.  

Keep finding what works best for your body.  Never give up on having a normal life.  You just have to look after yourself in that area, a wholel lot more.  Don't over use the Dermovate as this causes thinning of the skin.  Use only a very small amount and try weaning off this when it is under control.  

Do you live in the U.S. it seems to me that there is less knowledge and support here I live in California and I have had no luck with my doctors I have had to do my own research I wish there was a support group for us to meet and talk and trade what works for us but I have found it ok now to live with I jave changed how I live a little but it is much better now im at the point were my husband doesn't notice but I do like my doctor said unless its really bad a guy isnt going to notice

To keep it under control I am gluten free I take wheatgrass everyday I took pro biotic for a year to heal my stomach and take now on occasion I wipe clean every time I use the restroom then apply aloe vera gel the purest you can find and at night I apply 45,000 iu vitamin E oil I am 29 and I have been diagnosed a little over a year now at first it was do depressing and hard now its not that bad I hope this helps wish I could be there for you