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New to LS and need some help

Posted , 9 users are following.

Sarah9048
Sarah9048

Hello,

I'm a 24 year old female and I recently have had burning, swelling and irritation of my vulva and anogenital area for over a month now. I believe there was some paleness of the general region but I didn't notice it myself until it was pointed out to me by the second GP. At first my GP doctor thought it was a yeast infection (so did I) so I took fluconazole and as it didn't clear clear up the doctor prescribed a treatment of that every three days for three treatments. Before I had these treatments, I had some swab tests for STIs and a yeast infection which came back negative. After the treatments I was still experiencing all the same symptoms so I saw another GP. This GP immediately told me it was LS based on my symptoms and appearance of my vulva. I had also had another episode of this pain late last year (2019) and tried a thrush treatment which was unsuccessful. During that time last year I wore a skirt most of the time and had some stinging when I went to the bathroom from some splits around the entrance to my vagina. After about two or three weeks, this healed up and was all fine on its own.

At the present moment my GP has given me the topical cream betamethasone dipropionate which I have used for almost two weeks on a daily basis. I've had no reduction of symptoms at all. The colouring of my vulva is slightly better (I think). I don't have so much burning in the anus region but I have A LOT around my clitoral region and general tingling/discomfort. I don't have abnormal discharge as far as I can tell (there's no foul smell or strange colour). There is also no scarring in my genital or anal region. I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome.

I've booked an appointment for this Tuesday to see her again as I'm at my wits' end.

Is it normal to not have any reduction in symptoms like that after two weeks of steroid treatment? I think I might have to see a gynaecologist.

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • mary20777
    mary20777 Sarah9048

    Edited

    I have had lichen sclerosis for about 4/5 years now.Any steroid cream I was given by GP caused burning and only made matters worse. I am able to manage the condition by using Dermol after every visit to the loo but have also heard that Cetreben cream works for some people. Would be interesting to hear if anyone has tried it and if so what their thoughts are on it .

    • pamela70431
      pamela70431 mary20777

      Edited

      i use it in a cycle with a lot of other creams as my body gets used to the creams too easily and i find changing them up is effective. cetreban is an excellent cream, easy to use and in my experience pretty effective.

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