Does this look like lichen Sclerosus??

That almost looks like ringworm. Try an OTC antifungal and if that doesnt make it go away go see your gp. Everything will be fine 😃

The redness around it I think is razor burn. I've had the lighter skin since around june. My mom has vitiligo, unsure if that could be it

unfortunately with anything dermatological- it usually requires a biopsy, or at the very least an dr looking at it, since so many things look alike. To the point that specialists cant tell the difference, by eye, with 100% certainty. If it were me, I would go see someone for a proper diagnosis. it can save you sooooo much headache and anxiety. and even if it does end up being LS- if caught early (which it looks like it would be quite early) it's a very manageable condition. 😃

really? it is a manageable condition? everything I've read online has scared me to death!

may i ask what yours looks like?

No it i'snt really bothering me in anyway. I get occational itching, but i feel that only happens when the hair starts growing back. Nothing intense, doesnt hurt to touch.

im seening my gyn tomorrow. what kind of symtoms do you have? I dont really have any apart from the lighter skin. Occatioanl itching, but i think that is just from shaving.

Hi my symptoms were itching but that has stopped following use of steroid cream. Im just really sore around bum and it hurts every time I do a pooh its bloomin excruciating!! Other than that the skin around the labia s really pale and just so sensitive in vulva area. Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Apart from the steroid cream I would be interested to know if a short course of steroid tablets would help, maybe you could ask for me as my next gyne appt has not yet come through. Can I just add, I have completely changed my diet for the past two weeks, sugar and gluten free and I am taking a pro biotic, together with additional vitamins which I am hoping well give me some improvement. Good luck x

were you having intense constant itching? I do not really have any itching. just the lighter skin.

Brit, it's possible to have no itching. I never have had any. Eventually I developed a sort of buzzing feeling. That's why you need to be diagnosed by a doc who has experience with it. I was diagnosed by sight, no biopsy needed, but some want a biopsy.

Re shaving, I have no idea why you would want to, but at this point I would definitely stop. It's good you are seeing a gyn, but even some of those apparently aren't that familiar with the disease. You might want to research LS before hand just so you have some idea what to ask.

How old are you? Many, but not all of us are post menopause.

No not really, just felt really sensitive and sore. Im post menopausal so thought it was just thinning of the skin and dryness which is common, although im on HRT so wasnt really sure what is was at first. The problem is docs dont have too much experience of it, thats why it took so long for my docs to diagnose.

I've already researched it and it has scared me to death, i'm 26.

Brit, I'm not going to pretend it isn't disconcerting, but it seems possible to be able to control it. However, each journey seems to be an individual one which requires searching for a good doctor and the right treatment for you. Unfortunately neither is easy, but it is possible to luck out.

Most of us are older but there are some young women here as well. I'm not sure if it presents itself differently according to the age of the person, but it would be interesting to know. I was told by my gyn and have read that it is thought that estrogen plays a role although a small amount of men also get it so I'm not sure if in their case male hormones play a role.

Since I was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago it has gone from "thought to be auto-immune" to now be auto-immune. If that is the case there are many AI diseases that are basically a mystery. Bodies attack themselves with no explanation why.

Good luck at your appointment. Let us know how you make out.

thank you for the information!Does it progressively get worse? or does the proper treatment halt it?

from what my doctor has told me - who is a specialist with LS...it will be with me for the rest of my life - I am 68 and was diagnosed 3 years ago...I will be on medication - Clobestasol and Estrace (for hormones that I need to not be dry) this is not something that can be cured - just kept in check......he has patients in their 90's that have been "safely" using med's for years...I really never take an aspirin for anything BUT feel if this is what it takes to be comfortable THEN that is what I will do...

I would go with vickie's info. She's had it twice as long as I have. I'm still trying to find the right treatment. Things worked fine initially, then didn't. Found a great gyn who specialized in vulval skin disorders by happenstance, then she left so I am left with no gyn.

Am trying a dermatologist now, but feel it is no substitute for a gyn.

I also go away during the winter so have no doc to see during that time.

Yes, if it is LS you don't cure it, you control it. But that is true of about 80 AI diseases. Best to keep that in mind. Life goes on!

i think what i meant to ask is will it look worse and worse as the time goes on? even if treatment is working properly? or should it remain the same? if that makes any since.

from what I have been told there can "flare ups"....I have maybe had one in three years...the key is to follow the instructions your doctor gives u and to stay on the medications...as usual, most people figure...."well, I have been doing good so I will ease up on med's" - and that is when the "situation" can change....as I mentioned before I am NOT someone to just take any drug on a doctors say so - I did my research and decided that I went to a specialist in the field and IF this is what he has SEEN over the past 25 years then that is what I will do....and SO far - it has worked for me...my "V' looks normal but I realize as I get older it will continue to get thinner - as long I feel ok - then all if good....I will continue to see him now once a year (was every 3 months, then 6 months, now a year) and listen to my body and HIM....

Hi, can I just ask what are the meds you are taking as you sound very positive which is encouraging. I am at the beginning of this what feels like a nightmare and have just started Betnovate cream which has helped so far. I am 57 so appreciate things will change but am feeling less like a woman everyday since discovering this horrible condition!

A horrible "condition" is when someone tells u - u have "C".....this condition can be controlled...I use "Estrace (a hormone cream for dryness and helps to keep me moist) and Clobestasol (which is a steroid for the LS)....I live outside Philadelphia and my doctor has been treating LS for over 25 years....after using these 2 med's for less than 3 months I feel and IT looks a lot better.....this is a "condition" that has to be treated individually as everyone has a different story as to what works best for them...in order words - there is no right or wrong BUT what works best for that patient...NEVER give up...just try something new...and be glad no one is telling u - u have "C'....