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Lichen postpartum?

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Valsilph
Valsilph

Hoping some more knowledgeable people can shed some light on my situation.

Gave birth 5 weeks ago, I’m 27 and have never had any previous issues “down there”. After the birth I was looking daily with a mirror to check on healing and first I noticed soreness around the clitoris area (I have found tons of womenonline saying they also had this postpartum), then noticedthere was a tiny bit of kinda crusty whiteness around the edges of the clitoris. I thought infection so went to the doc.

Gyno says it’s lichen? And I should add, since giving birth my vagina opening looksreally different. I did have second degree tearing and some stitches so I think it’s normal that it might look a bit different but not sure how much. The inner labia look smaller sort of shrunk andthe wholeopening looks kind of pulled in. Again don’t know how much of this is from birth or if it is LS. I remember the area looking super different before the birth, the labialooked different. Wouldthey reallyfuse/shrinks so quickly as literally a few days? 

Does anyone think an event like birth could cause a flare up of LS if I had this before but it just wasn’t doing anything?

I should add I have had no itching or irritation, beyond needing a scratch occasionally nothing I would say unusual. Plus women say it’s normal to be a bit itchier down there then before whilestitches are healing up etc.

Now the area looks red, possibly a bit inflamed?? And very dry but again, postpartum and I’m breastfeeding which I know makes things dry and weird down there.

Unsure if related but since the birth I’ve also had numerous cysts or pimples down there from the front to back, docs say ingrown hairs but idk. They’ve all gone away after aweek or so.

Any thoughts? My gyno wasn’t very helpful but did give me a referral to the hospital for further consultation and biopsy. He said I probably could t takethe steriod cream while breast feeding...

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • beverly52803
    beverly52803 Valsilph

    Posted

    I have no experience with LS and childbirth, but if you google lichen sclerosus during pregnancy and childbirth I think you will find it very informative.
  • karen23320
    karen23320 Valsilph

    Posted

    Did gyno just do a visual or an LS biopsy? There are alot of things that can pop up after childbirth- I would get bacterial vaginosis each time as the PH of everything gets thrown off. 

    The pimples could hv been ingrown hairs or LS, the architectural changes can happen very quickly, ( in a matter od days/ weeks) but your body just went through a major trauma ( birth) , so it will look different. 

    Trauma like that can cause a flare up of LS if you had it prior but did not know it. 

    I would see the specialist and ask for a definitive biopsy for LS before trying any treatment. 

    And as the Clob  steroid is 9000x stronger than hydrocortisone and does soak in through the skin, this entering the bloodstream, I would NOT try it while nursing. 

    Congratulations on your baby! ❤️

    • Valsilph
      Valsilph karen23320

      Posted

      It’s possible I had it prior and did not know. 

      I haven’t had a biopsy but aren’t sure if I should. I mean they cut out a small piece of your skin down there right? I’m not sure if adding more trauma to the area would be any help. And what else could it be? I have white patches on clitoris, changed labia, and the skin is dry and sensitive. 

    • karen23320
      karen23320 Valsilph

      Posted

      I would have the biopsy done to get a definitive diagnosis. I don’t believe in visual accuracy unless you hv all the classic symptoms- white figure eight, shiny white skin, raised white patches, itchiness on labia, perineum, painful clit, atrophy,  etc. 

      Believe it or not, my Dr said my having the biopsy ( 6 spots) may hv led to my faster healing- I am currently in remission, since the trauma to the skin caused the white blood cells to swarm the area to start healing the biopsy sites. I was in terrible shape before the biopsy, and 3 months later am in remission. 

      Of course I hv changed my diet- no wheat, or sugar, and low oxalate. 

      I am about to try a 3- week total elimination of all gluten, dairy and sugar to try and determine where the weak link is in my immune system. 

      You do what you believe is best for you and we are here for you. 

  • stephanies2826
    stephanies2826 Valsilph

    Posted

    hello I know I am a few years late but I was wondering if there has been anything new with what you have going on? The exact same thing is happening to me after I gave birth and I had a c section & I was only 28. The whiteness and the pain during and my main thing. I am still breastfeeding too so I was sad to see I cant use the cream during. My vulvar appt isnt until January

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