lichen sclerosus - please help.
Posted , 10 users are following.
This is extremely difficult for me because I am an incredibly private person and I feel extremely embarrassed.
For a number of years, I have been suffering from a problem with dryness and redness in my vaginal area. At the time, I was in a long term relationship and I felt comfortable with my partner and didn’t realise the extent of the problem. I am 26 years old and have recently started a new relationship with a really lovely guy. However, I just feel so embarrassed and scared to take any of my clothes off or get intimate with him because of the issues that I have down below.
I also feel soo scared to go to the doctor because I just feel embarrassed and do not want to show my private areas to anyone else.
I am extremely dry down below and it can also be incredibly itchy. The skin is red and scaly and I will often itch the skin which caus
es it to flake off. 
I have done lots of research over the last few weeks and think it could be lichen sclerosus.
However, I do not have any white or red raised patches etc. It is literally just red and scaly. I have attached for pictures for your reference. I don’t look too dry because I have today purchased a steroid cream which has been applied but my vagina looks wrinkly etc which isn’t normal at 26 years old.
I have just purchased Emuaid online and hope that will be delivered in the next few days.
Please can someone give me some advice and let me know whether this does look like lichen sclerosus? I feel so embarrassed and ashamed and it’s affecting my mental health quite a lot right now.
thank you very very much for your support and understanding x
0 likes, 13 replies
natalie95180
Posted
sarah24152 natalie95180
Edited
Hi Natalie,
You've taken the first step by posting in this forum - firstly try and get some moisturiser, I use Cetraben ointment but lots of people use Coconut Oil which you may already have.
Secondly - speak to your GP or ask to speak to a nurse at the practice- you need a diagnosis please don't try and self diagnose you are too important. The Eve Appeal are great to talk to also. Try and put your embarrassment to one side - you have to. The sooner you can talk to someone and be examined the closer you will be to feeling better. Stress makes everything worse. Any examination will be quick - i don't think you ever get used to it but it's vital for your health, mental and physical and sexual.
Well done for starting to take control - good luck.
I'm sure you'll get lots more practical advice - everyone here can empathise.
Until you see someone you may also be worrying about something you don't have.
IF it is LS then support is here.
natalie95180 sarah24152
Edited
Thank you very much for your words of encouragement and support.
It is undoubtedly a stressful time but i am wxtremely grateful i have found this forum with supportive people.
brigitte_27336 natalie95180
Posted
Hi Natalie, good for you!!! you did right by reaching out to us....so yes its never easy to talk about our privates.. but the more you do it the better you will get...you will get answers and get the meds you need....so juste to say....you look alot like me at your age. im now 47 and i do have LS but at your age i also had eczema.. and it did ressemble what you have....but the thing is im no doctor so you need to get checked by the doctor. The scratching does not help but i know its hard to contrôle....try to moisturise and get your appointement keep us posted....we are with you!!!
natalie95180 brigitte_27336
Posted
Thank you for your message and the support.
it really means alot to me.
If it is LS, does the medication etc make the redness and the dryness better or does it solely just prevent the itching?
i should not have left the symptoms for so long without dealing with it!
Sarah9048 natalie95180
Posted
Hi Natalie,
I just wanted to offer some support as I'm in the process of going to a gyno and I'm on steroid treatment at the moment and we're around the same age. The cream helps with the inflammation/dryness too as it restores the skin around the vulva. I would definitely get a biopsy for the diagnosis, it's really not so bad as they've seen it all before! I'm 24 (almost 25) by the way.
I hope all goes well for you.
donna60875 natalie95180
Posted
hi hun i was diagnosed a few years back mine does look like yours and sometimes it looks red a shiney when its flared up so like your on a everyday bases and red and shiney on bad if you get what i mean ,
natalie95180 donna60875
Posted
hey donna,
thanks very much. i would say that it is honestly like the pictures every single day and the redness and dryness does not surpass or alleviate.
are your symptoms any better since your diagnosis ? x
fiona08095 natalie95180
Posted
Hi Natalie - good on you for reaching out. It is very comforting to have such a wonderful forum to share our problem with and learn from others experiences regarding such a personal problem. Before i found this forum i felt very alone as it seemed that it is a rare disease - "an unspoken about disease" but I was very surprised just how many people are suffering. I have used Emuaid as well as the steroid ointment to keep it in check now for the past two and a half years. Thank goodness for Emuaid - it is wonderful and most certainly helps. I wouldn't live without it. I hope you manage to see tour doctor quickly as you need to get this under control quickly. Don't be embarrassed just think of your body in biological terms and talk objectively about it to him/her - that is their job. It makes it easier to discuss these personal matters when done this way. All the best and keep us posted.
TheSpaceDust natalie95180
Posted
i can relate to the part about having anxiety and feeling embarrassed about going to the doctors for things involving your private parts. Trust me you will feel so much better about things once you get checked out and from then it because easier. You will feel even better when you get treatment that will help with the problems your experiencing. And always remember, doctors have seen it all before and more.
natalie95180
Edited
Hi everyone,
I plucked up the courage to contact the doctor today and I had a telephone conversation as face to face appointments are not taking place just now due to the ongoing pandemic.
From what I described over the phone to the doctor, she is not convinced that I have LS and thinks it could be perhaps psoriasis.
Of course, she advises that she cannot diagnose me without just simply speaking to me over the phone.
I’m not sure what the difference is between LS and psoriasis.
I have been prescribed an ointment to use when showering and I have also been given a cream. I am advised not to use the cream for another week incSe I have a reaction to the ointment to be used in the shower.
brigitte_27336 natalie95180
Posted
Natalie....im so happy that you got a consultation even over the phone...at least you can start treating it and its another step in the right direction.... Dont you feel better now that youve made some steps ahead...keep your sisterhood posted on your progress...its a great start.
sarah24152 natalie95180
Posted
Totally agree with brigitte - a great start.
Follow the advice from BAD ( British Association of Dermatologists) concerning vulval skin issues and care advice. Most ( i think) benefit from no soap, no tight clothing, no underwear at night ( during the day also if you can ) they're not just specific to LS. Monitor any changes and don't be afraid to call again,and again if you're not happy - lots of LS sufferers are misdiagnosed for years - so be vigilant.
Hope you have a better weekend and your skin issues improve with what you've been given.