Lichen Sclerosus cured - but it took work.
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I started having symptoms of LS when I was 23 years old (from what I can remember). It got progressively worse until I was finally diagnosed at 26. I did a ton of research and started seeing two alternative doctors about it. The symptoms gradually disappeared, and I have been symptom free for about 6 months. Based on all my research, it seems like the underlying cause varies from person to person, but I will briefly summarize what I believe were contributing factors in my case.
1.) Uncomfortable sex and/or sexual abuse. There is evidence that sexual abuse can cause LS, although I'm not sure if it causes or exacerbates the problem. Either way, my symptoms got a lot worse when I was in a relationship with a man who I was not very attracted to. My only advice (really, whether you have LS or not) is to not have sex if you have symptoms, or if you simply do not want to. The friction physically damages the skin.
2.) Underlying inflammation, which can be caused by the following factors:
a) infection. I had a bad one for a long time. At this point the LS symptoms were quite bad - lots of itching and pain, and shiny white patches. After getting a million tests done, I finally gave up on western doctors, went to see an alternative guy, and he gave me an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral herb (it was a strong herb). The symptoms started to clear up immediately, and I mean by the next day. I suspect it was a fungal infection because symptoms worsened several months earlier when I was on a round of antibiotics (antibiotics alone will kill the bacteria that keeps fungus and yeast at bay, permitting fungal overgrowth). Anyways, that helped, but the symptoms were still not completely gone. There were other contributing factors...
b) Allergies. I got my alternative guy to test literally everything I ate on a regular basis, and it turned out I was sensitive or allergic to many foods. Dairy was the big one, and when I cut it out, I noticed the symptoms mostly disappeared. At that point, I was sometimes asymptomatic but sometimes it still flared up a bit, which still drove me crazy, so I pressed on.
c) Deficiencies. I had major deficiencies in iodine (this one was important.. I'll discuss it in my next point), vitamin E, zinc, vitamin B12, and I suspect several other things. I took supplements for a short period of time and majorly changed my diet. Now everything I eat is organic, and almost nothing is processed. I eat almost no restaurant food. Just a very natural diet - like how your grandmother would eat. It is a lot of work, but wow did it make a difference. The foods I noticed to be particularly helpful for LS are kale, swiss chard (both blanched to get rid of the oxalic acid), and bison/elk/organic beef. I also eat tons of yams and sweet potatoes. The pain and itching is completely gone. The only symptom I now have is mild follicalitis on one side which only comes up occasionally, and I'm not sure that is even related to the LS.
3.) One more thing. There seems to be a strong link between LS and hormones. As I said above, iodine was an important factor because I had subclinical hypothyroidism (this is very common). The problem is, when your thyroid gland isn't functioning properly, it throws your sex hormones out of whack. So if you are always tired and/or cold, then there is a good chance iodine supplementation might restore some hormonal balance. On top of the iodine, i also tried a couple herbs for hormone issues - black cohosh tea and raspberry leaf tea - and found they both seemed to help with the LS and other symptoms I had.
From all of this, if I could recommend anything, it would be this: first off, examine ALL your symptoms. Chances are, if there is something else going on, it is probably related and might give you a clue as to the underlying cause. Second, FIND AN ALTERNATIVE DOCTOR! The truth is, a western doctor cannot help you with this problem. I found that the naturopaths trained in North America were just as useless. The only two guys that I found who were able to help me had no formal credentials and practiced techniques that allowed them to 'get inside' my body and really figure out what was wrong. One did Muscle Response Testing and the other is simply able to 'feel' what is wrong when giving acupressure. Although these types of practitioners are less common in North America, I guarantee if you start asking around, you will find someone. If not, try going to some herb stores in your local Chinatown district, and they can often point you in the right direction.
I hope this helps! I was so hopeless when I first found out I had LS, but am now so happy I persevered in finding a solution. good luck to all who read this!
34 likes, 322 replies
era41962 FixedUp
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I apply it in the morning and night.
I use borax solution every night, and sometimes the peroxide 3% for rinse.
But the oil made all the difference.
Gr8shpr era41962
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When I use borax I have seen amazing results. I just tend to get lazy when my symptoms are under control.
I have been using tea tree oil on my very stubborn rashes. one of these rashes (between breasts) has been present nearly one year! But the tea tree seems to be helping it heal.
I would like to use essential oil mix somehow on my vulva but afraid to do so. I do find olive oil extremely helpful and will try that mixed with cinnamon essential oil. Thanks
sammiey FixedUp
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8990anna FixedUp
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kelli247 FixedUp
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Thank you for your post. I was diagnosed with LS around a year ago and managed to be symptom free with diet change but am now pregnant and have the worst flare up since being diagnosed. My clitoral hood is now gushing over my clitoris and I have the bruising around my clitoris but have no symptoms of the LS anywhere else. I’m feeling so incredibly sad and would really appreciate any more info you have or how you found and alternative doctor - what your diet change was, how long it took you to bring the LS into remission.
Thank you thank you,
KL
Lijesm FixedUp
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Since Oct 2017 I have been seeing a homoeopath who went through my history and has prescribed many remedies, These get changed or dosage change according to our monthly meetings and state of health. The other thing is since January this year I have been following a ketogenic way of eating. I have noticed that my LS hasn't flared up and I've not used clob in two weeks. Let's hope I've hit the nail on the head.
marika94269 FixedUp
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Girls! I'm so so grateful for this sight Thank God ! I was diagnosed a few months ago I'm I just turned 59 And Definitely Want those herbs or what ever works for this I also have diabetes,high blood pressure Try to Juice ,Do wheatgrass shots and eat as healthy as possibly but get stressed like all of us go for the Dark CHOCOLATE! I also know that an Alkalized Body is vital So Baking soda /ACV very important for us!
I do ACV DAILY for my diabetes drops my glucose right away
I use a straw(to not have acid eat away at enamel on my teeth) and mix with a little water .
Girls Don't be scared Just be grateful we can fix this I also know that I have like most of you have sexual issues So purging and working on those Wounds within us DOES help our inner bodies Heal!
maria20912 marika94269
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CASnewydd FixedUp
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CAN YOU TELL ME MORE REGARDING IODINE - IS IT A SUPPLEMENT & DO YOU TAKE THIS AS WELL AS MEDICATION GIVEN FOR YOUR THYROID? I AM TAKING THYROXIDINE 0.125 mg x 1 daily.
THANK YOU.
Nancy_K_B FixedUp
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HI all, I found this message from 7 years ago and thought it was so well written up with great suggestions. Perhaps her healing experiences will help some of us here..
siouxzen FixedUp
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i have hypothyroidism and LS the dentist found some on the roof of my mouth any advice you can give me would be appreciated i am going to see an alternative doctor did you do the AIP diet?
candice89658 FixedUp
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Hi , I'm older woman who was told I LS in 2017 to discover i have had it for now 12 /13 years , I have lost some of my female parts .. Do you think some of what you posted may help ..
I'm experiencing thin skin, tearing and my opening is so tiny I'm scared ..
Sensing bladder issues , or maybe uti ..
Any suggestion s be helpful ..
Thank you , Candice
sara58260 FixedUp
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Hi @FixedUp
Just wanted to write and say thank you for sharing your medical and health journey with us. This post literally helped me get on track towards feeling the best I have felt in many years. So thank you! For everyone who reads this, its so powerful to share our stories you never know who it might help.
I had been struggling with recurring UTI's and yeast infections stubbornly for about 3 years and treating these infections with tradtional allophatic medication. It got better at the moment but sooner or later it would return and it only got worse over time.
When I decided to focus 100% on my health and getting it to the best shape I have been in, regardless of the sacrifices - things started to change.
Please go and see a proffessional for your conditions. You more likely have underlying causes that need to be treated beyond LS.
Sexual discomfort and trauma - this one is real! Past and present. Let go of any relationships that does not add to your feelings of safety, security and love. Understand the trauma you have endured and caused. Accept, forgive and love yourself.
Infection & Inflammation - UTI, Yeast Infection, Anemia, Fatigue and contraceptive implant Nexplanon. I have worked with Allopathic, Ayurvedic and now recently Traditional Chinese Medicine. I cannot recommend TCM enough for chronic conditions. Please be aware that healing is holistic and its not only about treating your symptoms, but treating ALL of you and truly understand why you are in the health condition you are. Illness is a language of your body, listen to it. Nexplanon is known to irritate mucus membranes and cause thinning of your skin over time, get it removed if you can, its also not great for your hormonal balance.
Diet - you can isolate food groups and test how your body is reacting to certain foods and just eliminate them, if only for a time period. I am on a Keto diet, low oxalate, no coffee and alcohol. As I started to isolate food groups and test my sensitivity, my body showed to be very sensitive when I listened. It makes sense, that if you constantly put your body under stress with various inflammatory foods then you will not feel good and it may exercerbate health conditions. Certain food groups do make condtions like Lichen Sclerosus flare up more, in my case Spinach and Strawberries where huge ones.
Allergies - Pollen and in particular birch and grass may have cross-allergies with certain foods. I found this to be true in my case.
Mental & Emotional Health - Yes this is very important at all times. Take stress management seriously. Get support through your family and friends. Get therapy if needed.
Family History - Do you have autoimmune diseases in your family?
So all-in-all I have not felt this good for many years. Thanks to this post I understood what my condition was and how to seek proper help. Getting food, sleep and water in order. Cleaning up your diet will contribute to a high percentage of your recovery. TCM Dr. prescribed me with 8 different herbs to drink as a tea two times a day. I still got months to heal but it instantly relieved me of my symptoms.
Wish you all health and happiness on the journey.
Irishlady FixedUp
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I've just been diagnosed 4 weeks ago and am in the middle of 1sr therapy of steroid topical application. Symptoms were gone but couldn't believe it when I got a burning sensation back again yesterday and today and its inflamed and there looks to be a haemorrhoid (which I do suffer from occasionally so its not unusual). What I can't believe is that I am having an episode of both these things while I am applying steroidal cream twice a day.
Going back over this thread before, I had made up some of the hydrogen peroxide (in my case 5%) and saline solution and it does give relief for a short time and I'll keep using it until this flare up disappears.
I am waiting on an appointment for a gyny (in Ireland, it doesn't come too quick) but I feel there has been massive shrinkage in the last 4 weeks.
I have been taking collagen powder to combat very painful joints and muscles as I am finished peri menopause and am full menopause now. I googled can collagen cause a flare up and there maybe a connection between overproduction of collagen and LS. However the doctor doesn't think that supplements should cause it but in my case I have it narrowed down to this and possibly too frequent of urination with too aggressive wiping after.
I hope I am not the statistic of those who don't respond to steroid treatment.
Anyone else still active on this disucssion?
TamBo1113 Irishlady
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Hey I'm new on here..and am at the start of addressing the problem.
I'm personally trying to avoid steroid creams. Been keeping it calm with Organic apple cider vinegar, I have a spray and a diluted pot in the bathroom for post peeing. I went through early menopause many moons ago. This seems to have hit me post toxic relationship which ended a year ago. I was fine during!!
Gr8shpr Irishlady
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Steroid ointment seems to have not helped me at all, but I of course cannot see inside. My OBGYN seemed concerned when i last saw her. I had stopped the clobetasol for about 6 months. She told me mine is not LS but instead is Lichen planus because it had gone up inside the vagina. So i will continue using it.
My immunity was really down in Feb and I had a discouraging flare.
It is back to watching my diet more closely.
In fact, I had a "treat" recently and binged on Pringle's. Immediately began burning in my genital area! Wow that was nearly immediate!