Lichen Sclerosus and testosterone pellet implant plus PRP
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello, I had a naturopath implant a testosterone pellet in my butt cheek (excuse the casual term, but I want to be clear!) and it seemed to greatly reduce my LS symptoms. The pellet has a low dose of testosterone (appropriate for women), and it also has a small amount of estrogen or estradiol or something I'm not totally clear on. The amount of hormones is guaged by the practitioner.
The itching stopped and I felt like there was a lot less inflammation. I had been using a topical cream from a company called Aidance (I think they are located in Rhode Island, USA), which decreased the bacterial skin infections that seemed to come with the LS, especially when I used the steroid creams. I was able to reduce that and then stop the ointment while the pellet was in effect. The testosterone did not cause masculinizing features, but I did notice an increase in my sex drive. That made me not want to give up on finding a cure! As the pellet has worn off (it lasts about 4 or 5 months) I have felt an increase in LS symptoms again. I don't know that it reversed anything, but at least I do not see that it progressed. I started to look online, and saw that some docs (even some GYN's) have been using the pellet for this purpose.
I also had some injections of platet-rich-plasma (PRP) about 2 years ago. The injections are intended to rejuvenate the area. I had a bacterial infection after the injection, which caused the practitioner to not want to do the second treatment since it resulted in cellulitis (I needed to take antibiotics to stop the infection). It was after that that I started using the cream by Aidance and have not had bacterial problems since, but now that the testosterone has worn off, I feel like I need it (the cream) again.
So, there are a lot of factors in my case, but perhaps the testosterone pellet is of interest to others.... I'd be interested in hearing if anyone else has success with it. I live in Oregon and there are several Naturopaths who are using the T pellet here. I plan to get another one and see if it helps again. I am in my early 50's and was diagnosed about 5 years ago. Thanks for listening.
3 likes, 12 replies
cynthia40883 pat_72618
Posted
My endocrinologist for thyroid is doing these pellets, called bio te..they base amount of hormone on blood work. The amount is calculated by computer. It may include testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. The pellet goes under skin. I am going to try testosterone bio identical cream first. Most people aren't doing it for LS but to feel better in general. The staff, including the doctor, use it and in some cases, say it has changed their lives. I am afraid of pellet under the skin, or anything that I can't stop doing if I have a negative response.I am.glad to know that the testosterone helped you.Others have said this, too. Try to find out what the other hormones r in the pellet, and how they arrive at the amount needed. Thx. for sharing.BTW, Did u have any problems with the area where they inserted the pellet, does it feel uncomfortable? Also, is a naturopath a doctor or what is their training?
susan39248 cynthia40883
Posted
are you in the UK? If so , who is your endocrinologist?
thanks
pat_72618 cynthia40883
Posted
Hi Cynthia, yes, I felt like the area where the pellet was inserted was sore... my Naturopath said I was the first to have that problem in his practice, but it is a risk. It wasn't so bad that I won't try it again. I tend to be ultrasensitive to pretty much everything, so I thought maybe it was just my body being haywire as usual. As far as the amount, he did bloodwork ahead of time and then again about 2 months after it was inserted. Next time I'm going to get the specifics on how much he put in. Ususally I'm really careful about what goes in my body but I was in a state of "just do it" when I went to see him. Here in Oregon, a Naturopathic Doctor goes to a school of Naturopathic Medicine and is licensed to do much of what a primary doc does (i.e. write scripts, etc.). There are some who are very conservative and some who seem to be charlatans, but I can say that as far as depression goes, I have had one who pretty much saved me from the pitfalls of psychotropic medicine at one point in my life. I think you have to find a good one and do your research, just like any other doc. Thanks for your suggestions, I appreciate them!
cynthia40883 pat_72618
Posted
Hi Pat, TY for info. Did the pellets go in the buttocks? That is where my endocrinologist puts them,under the skin. I would be more likely to try if it would be a different location. I have some nerve damage on the skin in that area and don't want to aggravate it. I think this I'd going to be the way of the future. I also have osteoporosis, so hoping hormonal therapy will help with that,also.
pat_72618 cynthia40883
Posted
cynthia40883 susan39248
Posted
Hi Susan, sorry, I just saw this. No I am in Naples Florida. Here is an idea for you. The name.of The company is called bioTE. GOOGLE IT, and try to contact them. They make the hormone pellets and hold seminars to teach doctors about the health benefits and how to administer.I found a number for them 1-888-545-1069.I did call but they said they haven't reached your are yet. You can call them, maybe they know another company in.your area..With research, you may find some company yourself or a doctor who is trained in this. Certainly, I would think.there are doctors in your area who do this. Good luck, dear.
susan39248 pat_72618
Posted
thank you so much for sharing this. I am post-menopause but I think my symptoms started around about the time my periods stopped or possibly a few years earlier. I noticed little lumpy bits on my labia, no other symptoms for a while then itching but not around the labia. I never got it looked at and it was only last year, about 5 yrs since last period that I went to the Dr about Gynae issues, that I got the LS diagnosis. I mention that because I am about to start using Red Clover, which is a traditional menopause remedy, helps with hormonal issues, has been through clinical trials. Also, I have low dose pregnenolone which I have so far not tried. So, fascinated to hear about the testosterone pellet. I wonder if anyone does that in the UK?
Thanks again :-)
pat_72618 susan39248
Posted
Hi Susan, I am pretty sure that I read about docs in the UK trying this approach. I don't think that anyone would claim to have extensive evidence to support its use for this purpose, but I think that people have noticed that testosterone has improved the LS situation for some people and since the T pellet is relatively new and LS is sort of rare, perhaps it is worth a try. I can only speak for myself, but I am a health care professional and the few things I've been able to find are encouraging to me, in conjunction with the fact that it seemed to help in my case.
I have not tried Red Clover, but would be willing to. I had early menopause and like you, did not notice the changes until it (LS) had probably been with me for a whie. I'm not sure about the UK, but I believe I saw something online about a UK doc using it or studying it. If not, come to Oregon... it costs about $250 and if they had your records ahead of time, they could probably do it for you. Or, perhaps there has got to be a provider in western Europe who is doing it. If they aren't yet, they will soon. So many people here are using it for increased muscle mass, sex drive, bone health, etc. I think long term studies are needed, but there are a lot of books about it now. Again, not sure if it would help LS for everyone, but for me I think it has been a positive thing for the short time I had it. I can let you all know if I feel the same way after I get my next pellet!
susan39248 pat_72618
Posted
It is all very encouraging. It would be great to hear back about how you get on after your next pellet. I did a quick Google search and came across a Dr in London who is using bioidentical and got side-tracked. I will have another look around.
Good luck :-)
pat_72618 susan39248
Posted
HI, that is cool... I imagine the bioidentical hormones might be the same thing except that I think the point of the pellet is to give you a tiny dose each day. I know some people get hormone shots and maybe skin patches? I wil definitely post when I get my next pellet... I can't get another appointment till May, but I'm hoping they have a cancellation before that. I'm feeling quite dramatically worse as the weeks go by now that it has worn off.
cynthia40883 pat_72618
Posted
pat_72618 cynthia40883
Posted
Hi, the one I use is the Terrasil Anti-Bacterial Skin Repair Ointment Maximum Strength. There are some simiar ingredients to the Femmesil but not exactly the same. The Terrasil was the one that came up when I searched under conditions on their site under Lichen Sclerosus. It is pricey... I get the 50g tube... I just ordered 3 and the third was free. They usually have that deal or others that might work better for some. I don't want to sound like an ad for this company b.c I have no association with them, but when I have called them they were helpful and I really feel like they have a quality operation, top shelf ingredients, and they don't gauge you on the shipping fees either. I'm actually pretty anxious to get it back on my skin now that my pellet has run out. I'm happy to answer any other questions.