I need some advice please.

Posted , 8 users are following.

Thank you for you time. I have had a spot in my vulva for quite a while that get itchy from time to time. I'm post menapause. I have gone to several GP's who just gave me creams and sent me off. I believe the cream thinned the skin. Also developed discharge and dryness which they told me was normal for my age.

After a while I asked if I could go and see a gynae. I finally went to be told I have vulva thrush. 6 weeks of taking antifungal tablets and the thrush was gone. Mind you all my swabs were coming back normal. She told me everything looked fine so I went on my merry way. Until I tryed to have sex with my husband and it split.rang the gynae and was asked to go and see her.

The day come and she used a a it spray to see if the where any abnormal changes. Thank got none. She noticed a band on the fourchette ( entrance ) which was tight.

She told me that I don't have obvious changes for LS at this time but because it can change over time there is a possibility that it could be the early signs. It could also be VA . I walked out of there not knowing what I have to do . Went to my doctor and she said the same. I don't know if I should go to a dermatologist or I have an appointment in February at a female hospital and check with them. Those this turn to cancer? Please her anyone very worried .

2 likes, 40 replies

40 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Rose, from what you have said it does sound  like Lichen Sclerosus, and so you will need to  find a Vulva Clinic, where doctors are used to seeing and treating Lichen Sclerosus.   Unfortunately too many doctors that don't understand this condition still feel it is okay to give advice when it is often not the right advice, it is a problem. 

    Uncomfortable and sometimes painful sex, culminating in splits in the vagina are classic LS, and so as I said, it is important you find someone as soon as you can.

    There is no need to be worried about cancer, it is incredibly rare, but you will need to have a checkup, at the very least yearly, to make sure everything looks fine.  If you go to the newbies thread at the top of the page you will find a link in there to a Webinar by Dr Goldstein who is knowledgeable with regard to LS.  It lasts an hour, and you will need pen and paper to make notes.  Also if you read a lot of the other posts on this site you will see that this condition is manageable with the correct treatment. 

      

    • Posted

      Thank you so much . At the moment the gynae has given me vagefem and I us coconut oil and sometime vit e oil. I was reading about bicarbonate soda bath!!! Those that help? I'm beside myself don't really know what to do next. I need to see the gynae in 3 months time. I also have an appointment with a female hospital in February or do I go and see a dermatologist . Thank you for listening.

    • Posted

      If you weren't given a strong steroid ointment, maybe it would be good to see a dermatologist. Trouble is LS sometimes falls into a gap between dermatology and gynaecology, depending on the specific doctors. That tight band at the fourchette is classic LS. In some cases it can progress very rapidly. Don't have painful sex, the trauma to the area will only make it worse. Cancer is not a concern once you're under treatment.
  • Posted

    Hi im in the same boat as you and 2 of my docs dont agree.i really am leaning towards mine being ls.Does it caus you any urinary symptoms,burning etc?no its not supposed to turn into cancer
    • Posted

      No I can't say I have problems with urinating. I just have painful sex and split.
    • Posted

      I'm know trying coconut oil and Vit B rub it into the area and message it. I've ordered dilators and see it that will soften that band. I've read in a forum that they help and on line.
  • Posted

    I think you need to go back and get answer to questions. Even if you make a list you need to walk out knowing what the next step is. It could be anything, everything or nothing that a simple procedure will fix. Good luck
  • Posted

    Hi Rosedee, I started with itching in my anus area. I noticed a change of colour in my vulvar area while cleaning myself up for an exam and thought it was vitiligo. I did experience some mild itching in the vaginal area. My GP thought it was lichen planus and she referred me to a gyne that I see for another condition. The gyne I went to said that by looking at it he was confident it was LS but it wasn't his specialty. He then referred me on to a vulvar clinic. He told me that if he couldn't get me in there he would send me to a dermatologist. Sometimes when they can't make a positive diagnosis by sight alone they will do a punch biopsy - which is frightening to think about. (The procedure is described on the mayo clinic website.) The first gyne told me to purchase corticosteroid cream from the pharmacy and apply that daily to the entire area until I got in to see my LS gyne. If you suspect that you may have LS you could try this while you wait to see a specialist. While LS is precancerous I believe that it is rare it will turn to that if you are being treated. Personally, if your symptoms are minor, I would wait to go to the female hospital but my 1st gyne said this is a skin disorder and a dermatologist has the training and qualifications to treat it.
    • Posted

      Sorry I made a mistake in my message. It was cortisone cream he suggested not corticosteriod - two COMPLETELY different things. My apologies if I created any confusion for you .
  • Posted

    Hi Rosedee, I started with itching in my anus area. I noticed a change of colour in my vulvar area while cleaning myself up for an exam and thought it was vitiligo. I did experience some mild itching in the vaginal area. My GP thought it was lichen planus and she referred me to a gyne that I see for another condition. The gyne I went to said that by looking at it he was confident it was LS but it wasn't his specialty. He then referred me on to a vulvar clinic. He told me that if he couldn't get me in there he would send me to a dermatologist. Sometimes when they can't make a positive diagnosis by sight alone they will do a punch biopsy - which is frightening to think about. (The procedure is described on the mayo clinic website.) The first gyne told me to purchase corticosteroid cream from the pharmacy and apply that daily to the entire area until I got in to see my LS gyne. If you suspect that you may have LS you could try this while you wait to see a specialist. While LS is precancerous I believe that it is rare it will turn to that if you are being treated. Personally, if your symptoms are minor, I would wait to go to the female hospital but my 1st gyne said this is a skin disorder and a dermatologist has the training and qualifications to treat it.
  • Posted

    Hi Rosedee,

    It sounds very much like LS to me.  Narrowing of the vagina sounds familiar. I would encourage you to find a doctor that can truly help you with a correct diagnoses.  

    Meanwhile - I suggest to try baking soda baths (1/3 cup) and baking soda rinses after bathroom visits (three pinches in a Perin bottle) and for moisturizing coconut oil.  

    Perhaps start gentle dilation, to keep the area open.   I have found it to be very beneficial.

    You probably already read about diet: no sugar is high on the list, no alcohol, probably limited dairy.  (my LS gets triggered by eating cheese for instance)  You might feel better with a gluten free diet. Perhaps good to start trying some things.  

    Good insight from Dr. Goldstein on this website as well.  It makes that you become familiar with LS.  The more you know the better you will do, also at doctor's visits.  

    Wishing you well.  

    • Posted

      Does alcohol caus a burning sensation?ive ben getting that lately when i drink
    • Posted

      Ive ben using a and d ointment,hydrocortisone 1 percent ointment as needed,sitz baths..all sound ok?.no diagnosis yet..2 docs that dont agree. My sitz baths have just ben clear wam water,for some reason they tell me that instead of the baking soda..i also dab with clear water after urination.
    • Posted

      One more thing..i have the jar of virgin organic voconut oil..does that help the irritation alot..alsio have rectal itch and irritation.they see nothing in that area,but something is causing it..egads
    • Posted

      Thank you for your help. It great to hear feed back. I already use coconut oil and helps very much. Never used baking soda. Will try. I was so very stressed that it was cancer.
    • Posted

      Sorry rose that i asked so many questions,hope you dont mind.
    • Posted

      Not at all we are all in the some boat.

      I too cannot get an answer from both my gynae who specialises in this field and my GP. I still only get that it's possibility that it could be early stages. But have no obvious changes. So not to pain at this stage. They will keep an eye on it.

    • Posted

      It has been a long time since I drank any alcohol.  It somehow is a 'relative' from sugar.   
    • Posted

      Lee, the baking soda is added to the water.  Not used seperately.  Rinsing with clear water is also good of course, but some baking soda in the water, is my experience, makes the fusing 'melt away'.  
    • Posted

      Coconut is anti bacterial and anti fungus.  People with Rosesea are helped with it as well.  For LS it also serves as moisturizer and lubricant.  

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