1. Community
  2. Women's health
  3. Lichen Sclerosus

Confused and nervous

Posted , 6 users are following.

tammie41349
tammie41349

I went to the urologist and she diagnosed me with LS (of at least that's what she thinks it is). I don't have many of the other symptoms that everyone talks about. I keep hearing how bad the itching is. I have very little if any. Most of my problem is the narrowing of the vagina which makes sex extremely painful and almost impossible. I'm 52 and in menopause so I also have a lot of dryness. I'm on the Premarin cream now but haven't noticed much difference.i am scheduled for a biopsy in a few weeks and I'm really nervous about it for some reason. Just hoping it's not too painful. Hopefully I can get more info and will feel better about everything. Thanks in advance for any tips or info that may help

Best Wishes

Tammie

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Next
  • Wlparadise
    Wlparadise tammie41349

    Posted

    The biopsy is a snip that does hurt. Week or so to heal. The narrowing and atrophy can be reversed by the Mona Lisa Touch treatment laser. Depending on the insurance you have it might be covered as a medical condition. If not costs about $2100. But you will be getting back to normal. There is also a vaginal dialator kit. Amazon has a few to choose from. Get/ do BOTH.
    • tammie41349
      tammie41349 Wlparadise

      Posted

      Thankfully my husband doesn't have a high sex drive do not sure if I'd do the surgery but I might at least try the dialator. I'll just be glad when the biopsy is over and I can know what type of treatment they recommend. Does the LS get worse over time?

    • Wlparadise
      Wlparadise tammie41349

      Posted

      I am close to your age and physical symptoms. My MD is a specialty gynecologist. Professor too. Says the operation to open up isn't permanent and will refuse without the rest. Aquaphor is a recommendation for moist. Do check out the Mona Lisa Touch treatments for LS. Changed my structure 180.

    • Neldog
      Neldog Wlparadise

      Posted

      Hi, I am curious, how did it change your structure?   Did it reverse the fusing?    I understood it rejuvenated mucus producing  tissue.     Does it do more than this?       

       

    • tammie41349
      tammie41349 Neldog

      Posted

      I'm not sure what fusing means but because my estrogen level is so low and with the LS my vagina has actually gotten smaller and sex is extremely painful and really almost impossible. I bleed during and after and sore for days. Not a good experience... I'm on the Premarin cream now and that is supposed to help with the estrogen levels but I haven't noticed any difference yet. I've only been on it about a month

    • Neldog
      Neldog tammie41349

      Posted

      Sorry tammie, i was asking questions about the mona lisa treatment  which Wiparadise was writing about.

      fusing is what happens with the tissues on the outside, my inner lips were stuck to my outer ones, so i looked like a doll, with no crinkly bits.

      not sure the ls would make your vagina smaller, i think that is down to atrophy caused by lack of estrogen.  The ls can cause scarring on the outside, which  doesnt stretch, so it effectively closes the entrance to the vagina.       

      I had an op to rectify this  a couple of months ago.   A plymouth procedure, performed at plymouth.       It took about 5 weeks to heal, but am pretty sure its all ok now.  Not actually tried having sex yet though.....  Husband has been away working for the past 8 weeks.     When he left, i was still stitched up and reduced to sitting on a rubber ring!

      x

    • cheryl33619
      cheryl33619 tammie41349

      Posted

      I was told that it depends on the person if it gets worse or not for me I have virtually no symptoms just a slight bit of itching and I'm on hormone cream and that's it I do not take steroids I do the borax bath

    • tammie41349
      tammie41349 Neldog

      Posted

      Oh ok! I think that is exactly what's going on with me. I hope the procedure you had helps you .

    • Wlparadise
      Wlparadise Neldog

      Posted

      It is a laser that causes micro tears under the dermis causing the collagen to be stimulated and reactivate. A ltitle estrogen and aquaphor are recommended during time between visits. Still need the dialators to open up little by little. Supposed to use 2x day 2p mins.
  • Wero
    Wero tammie41349

    Posted

    Hello Tammie, try not to worry too much, this condition is manageable and you are one of may.

    The biopsy reminds me of the dentist and having a tooth extraction. I found the initial injection the worst but over in seconds. A little sore after but heals quickly.

    I think treatment depends upon where you live in the world. I am in the same position as you. Fusing has caused the skin to tighten and penatrative sex became impossible. Like you I am also menopausal.

    I am in the UK and received a dilator from my Dermatology nurse. It is helping but not yet completely solved my issues. I have been offered surgery but am holding fire. I also use Bicarbonate of soda which helps.

    There are lots of different options if you read through here but you need to get your diagnosis first and see what treatment/advice you are given.

    In the mean time I would definitely start good moisturising. Make sure you use something like coconut oil, not perfumed or containing parrabens.

    Good luck keep positive.

    • tammie41349
      tammie41349 Wero

      Posted

      Thank you so much for all the info. At least I feel a little better about the biopsy now. The coconut oil... is that just for outside the vagina or can you use in internally too? I will definitely try that.

      Thank you

    • Wero
      Wero tammie41349

      Posted

      The coconut oil is natural and can be used both in an out. It is a fantastic lubricant as well as a moisturiser. Just make sure you get the 100% coconut oil. It comes in a solid form but instantly turns to oil with warmth.
  • cheryl33619
    cheryl33619 tammie41349

    Posted

    You are a good candidate for Mona Lisa touch it restores your vagina and make sets good again find someone in your town that does it that you trust it is basically CO2 laser that is performed in a few minutes and it restores all your skin and makes you new again I have been diagnosed with ls as well but I have no itching no white spots no sores no lesions no anything the only thing I have is atrophy another words it hurts to have sex so I have plan on getting the Mona Lisa touch in July
    • eileen59440
      eileen59440 cheryl33619

      Posted

      cheryl33619 - this is something i have been wondering about since joining this group a few weeks ago.  newly diagnosed with ls - symptoms were itching and kind of like pinching feeling.  i'm currently on triamincilone ointment twice a day and it's helping a little.  my question is can a person without itching and pinching still have ls.  in the past have been diagnosed with vaginal stenosis with little relief during intercourse.  doctor said there was no sense in another surgery because i would just get more scar tissue which complicates matters.  so could i have had ls for many years which was never diagnosed and just got worse and worse?

    • Wlparadise
      Wlparadise eileen59440

      Posted

      Surgery is a bad idea according to my Specialized gynecologist surgeon. She says no. Itching could be yeast infection or LS. Your doctor hopefully can tell the difference. LS was historically mistaken and treated as yeast in the past. Recent yrs has been recognized usually by biopsy. What you are using is a synthetic steroid for itch and your symptoms. Not all drugs work for everyone. I can't tolorate steroids, raging red rash. Check out the Mona Lisa Touch treatments for the vaginal stenosis.

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.