Labia Minora Shrinking!!

Hi there. What you see as shrinkage is the outer labia fusing to the inner labia just looks as if the valley between is not as deep also near the clit the front labia begin to join at the top edge. This is the very beginning of fusing. It happens very slowly and if you were not examining down there you wouldn't know about it.

I suggest that you find the link on this website for Professor Goldsteins lecture it will help your understanding. Good luck.

Hi Nettie- I have been reading Kournal articles anout atrophy and lavoal

Fising and yhere are so many questions that Dr. Do NOT have the answers to. Mthe first article said that treatment usinf steroids can halt the progress of atrophy and fusing, but what’s gone is gone. 

2nd arricle said “ Topical ultrapotent steroid is an effective treatment for vulvar lichen sclerosus, giving relief of symptoms in most and completely reversing the skin changes in approximately one fifth of patients.”

“ completely reversing? “- maybe in terms of fusing, but once labia have shrunk, disintegrated, re- absorbed, disappeared, whatever you call it, I don’t imagine them re- generating....

Sorry for all the misspellings, rapidly  texting on my tiny smartphone! 😜🙄

Hi all of you, what a discussion! I can relate to every single one of you! I’m 48 with diagnosed LS for 15+ years. My anatomy down there, rain or shine, stress or no stress, steroid cream or not, hasnt seemed to care and continues to change over the years. It’s only once the progression of LS got really advanced ( Pearly white skineverywhere, fusing over the top and sides, slightly shiny, dry skin,  everything flattening out and disappearing on me, occasionally itching and easily breakable skin) that I found this group!  for those of us who are more advanced, I believe we can help slow down the condition and in some cases reverse some of the symptoms.  And for those who are recently diagnosed or have just started early stages, there is a great deal you can do to put the condition into remission. For me, clobetasol kept the white and itching at bay for years in my early 30s,  but has stopped working as it is the strongest steroid cream on the market and you can’t get any stronger, thus I am  now only using it about once a month, when in desperation, as an experiment with the hope that it does something. I personally do not believe it helps slow down atrophy/shrinkage, nor does it any longer return the skin to flesh tone, but for some I believe it works quite well  but only if used in very small doses and very cautiously, and don’t forget to wash your hands if you do use them. Based on our different DNA and environmental reasons, we are all here with different experiences and different reactions to different ingredients and products. As for the atrophy, yes this is a part of the condition and all we can do is everything we possibly can to wholesomely take care of our bodies and our mental state  to put the condition into remission and stop or slow down the atrophy.  I truly believe that diet (no sugar or most diary, natural ingredients like essential oils and carrier oils, low humidity down there, vitamins like D3, magnesium, A,B, zinc and using pH balancers like borax and bicarbonate or baking soda) - really help.  Some people believe that atrophy is temporary and can be reversed with estrogen cream or Hydrating oils, I refuse to believe that we’re stuck with this and there’s nothing we can do. I believe there is a lot we can do. Hang in there and stay in this group with us!

Hi ladies. Thank you for all your input. As I guessed despite currently going through menopause I do think there is a combination here of meno and LS. Not tried any of the bicarb or borax yet, not sure if you can get borax here in the UK? I have never used clob not even for the maintenance. Just don't want to. My gut feeling was that clob wouldn't stop shrinkage and some of you share my sentiment re this. Think I will use the bicarb spray and cut out what dairy I have, don't have that much as dont like milk based products. Dont eat many sweet things so that can go. Maybe I can slow this down. Fingers crossed. Thank you all of you. I read about Tumeric oil being good for things. Have Tumeric powder in the cupboard. Mixed a bit with coconut oil and applied over a sore area pretty much instant relief! Bit messy and you smell a bit like an Indian takeaway but it worked :-) dark knickers needed here as does stain a little lol! Good luck to all you lovely ladies. X

Hello Nettie,

I am 56 and I have also noticed shrinkage of my clitoris and like you no fusing, also still have sex.

First diagnosed April this year in the UK and told to use Betnovate and Vaseline and get on with it.

This site saved my sanity, Lovely Ladies and great advice. Especially Nancy and Guppy.

I have tried lots of different things ,some with not great success as some made me very sore indeed.

As we are all aware LS seems to play cat and mouse with us all and is individual.

To date most success is less baths and when I do I use Bicarb and lavender essential oil.

Spray after peeing again a spritz of Lavender and bicarb.

Wash still in Derm 500 or use aqueous cream no soap ever or even feminine hygiene washes as they are a killer.

I also now live in Spain and  have purchased SYNALAR over the counter and this has been so beneficial to me.

Cotton knickers and commando as much as I can, I also use a soft muslin cloth to pat dry after washing.

Diet contains no dairy and sugar is at a bare minimum as that is working progress. No alcohol and plenty of fresh food nothing pre cooked and packaged that are full of hidden additives.

I take magnesium, zinc, vitamin B and D.

I am on low dosage oestrogen but looking for a natural alternative out here and high dose antihistamine due to asthma and hay fever.

more recently I have added honey, Bee Pollen and propolis.

I seem to be improving slowly , but I take nothing for granted with LS and treat it with caution now as like yourself and most other ladies I want to not let it be who I am but learn to adapt to it,

Hope this helps good luck xx