Lichen Sclerosus and Genital herpes
Posted , 5 users are following.
hey everyone,
My name is Meghan and I am 22 years old. At the beginning of 2018 I was diagnosed with type 1 genital herpes. I've been with the same boyfriend for 2 1/2 years and did not contract herpes from him so the virus was dormant for a while in my system. I had my first outbreak 2 months after I was diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus. When I was first disgnosed I began using the topical steroid but my pain worsened and my gyno wouldnt give me any answers so i stopped using it. My fusing hasn't progressed drastically but I would obviously like to use the steroid cream but am so afraid of having another outbreak because of it. I'm not even sure if thats what caused it but my gyno mentioned the cortiosteroid is an immunosuppressant so it would make sense. I just switched gynos so hopefully he can make some sense of this for me but my worry's got the best of me and I'm Just wondering if anyone on here is living with both conditions? I feel so hopeless and scared 😦
0 likes, 5 replies
mary_lou60460 megmacd311
Posted
Hi Meghan,
Im quite a bit older then you, im 54 and was diagnosed with LS when i was 33. I had found out i had an underactive thyroid, also i had a hysterectomy. My first symptoms were itching and white patches. The steriod cream did its job and for 13 years i had very few flare ups and minimal fusing. Sex was fine and no pain.
This past January i contracted HSV2 from my husband. Initially i thought i was having a flare up from my LS, used the steriod cream and omg the pain was unbearable! So i washed best i could and made a doctor appointment for the next day. Imagine my surprise when i was told it was HSV 2. I was devestated. My Out break was the worst pain ive ever had, and did have some complications. So now if i feel itchy or sore, i am not sure if its LS or an OB. Since symptoms are similar. I can honestly say ive never gotten an OB from the Clob cream. I do use coconut oil or olive oil there as a barrier and moisturizer.
It can be a bit tricky knowing if its LS or not, what i usually do is use the Clob first and if pain increases or there is no improvement i take a dose of anti virals.
I hope your new gyno can advise you
further, but the first year after initial OB you tend to have more. My main trigger for an OB was sex.
Good luck and i hope i was able to answer a few questions for you.
megmacd311 mary_lou60460
Posted
Thank you so much for your response, Ive been having such a hard time finding anything on the two together. It puts my mind at ease knowing you have type 2 and can still use the clob. That was my biggest fear that id have to choose which one to treat. I do get nervous when i get a little tear from sex that its gonna turn into an ob because it feels similar. I will be away for the next two months and I cant be on any meds so fingers crossed I dont have an outbreak or itll be a long, painful few weeks.
julia2017 megmacd311
Posted
make sure you get a biopsy while broke out; because I had a Gynecologist tell me herpes and it turned out to be LS all along.
Guppy007 megmacd311
Posted
Hi meg, I think I would try to get an appointment at a Vulva clinic if you can as sometimes people with LS get diagnosed with herpes, and obviously you need to know for sure what you have.
You really need to see someone that really understand LS and herpes which is why I suggested a Vulva clinic. Also, they can explain how to use the steroid cream and why it is useful.
megmacd311 Guppy007
Posted
@julia2017 when i had an outbreak in march it was biopsied and results came back as HSV1. my boyfriend was also tested and came back positive from it. I Havent been biopsied for lichen sclerosus yet. My appointment isnt until March 20th as I will be away for a few months. The fusing hasnt progressed much this year so hoping it wont until my appointment atleast cause i cant use medicine where I will be away.