Burning Sensations

Hi Jessica,

I understand what you're describing. I had the friction type burning- like little cuts had been made during intercourse over the last few years since my diagnosis of LS. After a while, It put me off so I didn't want to do it as the discomfort/pain outweighed the enjoyment. Then recently when we tried again it was so painful we had to give up as penetration was way to painful (sorry if tmi). I've since been back to gp and re referred back to gynae. Appointment not til June though. Thinking I would like to try oestrogen but it's never been mentioned to me. I'm 45 and peri menopausal 😏

I haven't used Clob or any other creams in over a year. The clob healed me in the beginning but then it ended up being the cause of a vicious cycle of flare ups and yeast infections. So now I do baking soda soaks when my symptoms are acting up. The main way I keep my LS under control is through diet. When I have intercourse I have not had to use extra lubricant, just natural. If I have eaten something that is on my bad list and have intercourse, I will get tearing and friction burn. Usually if I do a baking soda soak after sex I heal right up. It is important to find what is causing your body to flare, that is the only way I have found normalcy and escape from medicines.

In my opinion only being new to this for two years now, the more clob you use the worse it gets. You really need to be careful with the amount of steroid cream you use.

Try taking a break and use good old Vaseline.

Jessica, I don't know your age, but if you are menopausal your issue may be lack of estrogen. I eventually developed vaginal atrophy years after menopause. It was recommended that I use hormone cream for the AV over 3 years ago but as it wasn't causing any serious problems I chose to avoid hormones due to breast cancer in my immediate family. Unfortunately low estrogen may have been the reason that I developed LS which was diagnosed last spring. There seems to be no hard and fast cause of LS and both genders get it and at various stages of their lives. However, my gyn's theory was that my LS was due to lack of estrogen. I now use a very small amount of hormone cream nightly for the AV and a medium strength steroid ointment as needed for the LS.

I would discuss the possibilty of atrophy with your gyn. You don't want to be overusing the steroid when it may in fact be estrogen that you require.

Hello Jessica, I am a male who has been dealing with LS for almost 8 years, I use Clob which I apply either every other, or every third day. For sexual purposes however, I need to apply more regularly - even twice a day on occasions. If you can, pre-empt activity and apply the Clob in the morning if sex is a possibility for later the same day can be beneficial.

There are two essentials I have learned from these Women's Health / LS Forums - i.) it is of minimal benefit merely applying Clob (or whatever steroid ointment suits your skin best) - as Starlight8 highlighted in a comprehensive list She posted - the skin HAS TO BE regularly stretched to maintain elasticity and suppleness. I do this when I apply the Clob by using gentle massage motions and by deliberate movement of the skin in different directions ..

ii.) I am now using a combination of things that I apply to all of my genital skin, I am now using liquid Coconut Oil, and a tip Nancy KB gave on mixing Aloe Vera Gel with Essential Turmeric Oil - I would try "Nancy's Mix" first. Get a clean airtight container and add 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel (you can get 99% pure) - start with a mix of two SMALL drops of the Essential Turmeric Oil - mix well together. You can apply this to your entire genital region using a light coating, and again use a massage and gentle stretch motion to apply it. You can step up the mix if you get no adverse reactions to using a 4 drop mix, then try this a few times - then a 6 drop mix. Obviously, stick with the mix that has the greater beneficial impact.

The smell of the two mixed together is wonderful, and in itself, can put you in the right frame of mind to face anything, in itself.

So for sex, I would try the Clob earlier that day - then try a light coat of the "Mix" or the Coconut Oil immediately prior if you can ......

Wee, wouldn't there be an issue of transference of the steroid to the other person if you were using it the same day of having sex? My doc says steroids are good for unhealthy skin but not for healthy skin.