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

Finally some treatment, a little late

Posted , 5 users are following.

sarb73328
sarb73328

2 months ago I posted that I had had a vague diagnosis of 'possibly LS' from my GP and gynae.

I was not prescribed anything and told to come back if it became 'bothersome'. I have seen my GP today and she apologized for not having picked up on a highlit area in the letter to her from the gynae which suggested steroid cream! So theoretically I could have been on this for approx 4 months already which is infuriating. She has prescribed Betnovate and for me to come back in 4 weeks for a review and then possibly a stronger steroid. She was interested in the use of borax and did not dismiss it. She confirmed that my inner labia have partially fused as well as the valleys either side of my clitoris and that this has appeared to have progressed over the last few months since she first saw me back in March. Which of course, I knew. I had a lot of stress last year with caring for my mother and I am sure that is what progressed my symptoms from 4 years ago.

I talked to my GP about the psychological effect of having to witness an intimate part of your body 'deforming' and that my sex life is suffering with my husband now feeling it to be a 'medical' area! (I have to stress here that he is very understanding and still interested). And I told her this was not acknowledged enough by doctors. Of course, this being the UK's failing NHS, her response was this is due to lack of resources to address all the issues brought about by all diseases. I can see her point. 

So it seems we need each other on these forums, if only to offload our worries. I know I am finding it a comfort of sorts to be able to do this. 

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • plainchocolate
    plainchocolate sarb73328

    Posted

    Hi I was diagnosed with L.S back in June of this year. I saw a male doctor and he knew what it was just by my symptoms. He was brilliant. He examined me, took a swab because I thought it was thrush. He then put me on medication straight away. I have been using Betnovate , I am now into a kind of routine. Hoping I can keep it at bay.here's hoping. Good luck we need to support each other x

    • sarb73328
      sarb73328 plainchocolate

      Posted

      Thanks plainchocolate, it's encouraging to read a more positive post. We all need that. Be interesting to compare Betnovate results. 

    • sarb73328
      sarb73328 plainchocolate

      Posted

      Hi again, plainchocolate - I have been using betnovate now for 3 weeks and although it does not sting or burn in any way, my skin has turned very red. Did you have this reaction when you started using it? I cannot get an appointment with my GP until December, so will not have an examination until then, although I have booked a telephone call with her. Thanks - Sarb
  • donna43932
    donna43932 sarb73328

    Posted

    Had the same problem LS , fused Libya ,couldn't get a pap , 1st get your hormones checked I went threw bodylogics mds they are in Irvine ,she ended up putting me on the lowest dose of estriol  which I love ?? makes me feel like a 20 year old and by the way I'm 46 and had been going threw it for 3 years , but back to what I was saying my gynecologist threw bodylogics prescribed me the estriol also suggested the O-shot which I've had two of them and she also prescribed me clobetasol which is a steroid and I use it 2 times a week and the estrol once a week and I'm on a multivitamin,fish oil ,probiotic,and a combo vitamin d with k which I get threw them and recently going vegan plant based really helped got a new boyfriend and now able to have sex again for the first time in 3 years occasionally soar from sex after but nothing serious,😊

    • sarb73328
      sarb73328 donna43932

      Posted

      This is a really positive post Donna. Thanks. I am 64 and in the UK and don't think we have easy access to the o shot but I have read about it. 

  • Bridge_of_Sighs
    Bridge_of_Sighs sarb73328

    Posted

    Misdiagnosis and ignorance are all too common. Pretty shocking for a condition that is more common than anyone realises. I have just had my doc. check-up, I finally found a brilliant one who is a specialist in dermatology, she's open, curious and really clued up. When the NHS works well it's brilliant!

    My doctor did say that she sees it so often, she thinks that most post menopausal women will get it to some degree, at some point, and was really angry at the general ignorance about it.

    I had the same conversation with my doctor as you. I also contacted the Pharmacists governing body and offered to do CPD talks, thinking that itching and painful sex might take someone to a pharmacist first. Nothing. Total lack of interest, not even a polite 'no thank you.' Now, when I see a woman pharmacist I ask for a private conversation and tell them about LS. The younger ones seem to be the most receptive, two have said they'll go away and look it up.

    Talk, talk, talk. I told a friend and when she had itching she knew to go to her doctor immediately, she's caught it early and is in remission.

    Sorry I'm in a rush so this is a bit garbled. Thank goodness for this website, otherwise we'd be so alone...

Back to top

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.