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Young and...scared?

Posted , 11 users are following.

mila14992
mila14992

Hello everyone, I'm here to kind of discuss with others who have gone through this before and just desperate for advice. I'm a 16 year old female, and for years I've kind of always experienced itching down there which I never told my mom as I supposed it was normal. Being the curious teen that I am, I decided to take a look down there with a mirror and was taken back by what I saw. I've researched lichen sclerosus a lot, and although I'm scared and very embarrassed to tell my mom that I need to see a doctor about it...I'm pretty sure this is what I have. When I looked down there, I noticed white patches between my labia majora (like I said, I've researched this many times as I am very scared) on both sides starting in the beginning of my labia majora and on the end. This may sound unclear but please bare with me. You would only be able to see the white patches if you looked inside of my lips, not just by looking at my vagina. And lately, I've noticed that the left side of the inside of my lip is kind of getting smaller so I think it's time to inform my mom before it gets worst. I'm just so scared, I'm too young for all of this. Who knows for how long I've had this! I just need advice, please let me know if I will be able to catch it now and stop it from getting worse. And most of all, I just need to be able to relate to someone because as of now...I feel ashamed, embarrassed, and alone. Thank you for reading, I hope you can give some feedback!

2 likes, 48 replies

48 Replies

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  • Willie816
    Willie816 mila14992

    Posted

    Mila,

    Sorry to hear you are going through this alone. It can be frightening and overwhelming. It sounds like you can approach your mother about your suspicions and concerns.  I recommend that you go to a doctor to see what is going on. You shouldn't have to  carry this burden on your own. If you do have LS or something else there is treatment to manage. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please work through your fear and embarrassment and get help and support.

    • mila14992
      mila14992 Willie816

      Posted

      Thank you so much Willie, I no longer feel alone as everyone have been so sweet and gave me a lot of advice. It is very nice to hear from others who have LS, and have experience with it as I have no clue about it. I will most definitely get the help I need, thank you again Willie!!!!! xx
  • ChrissyC
    ChrissyC mila14992

    Posted

    Well done sweetheart for finding out as much as you have AND for the initiative to put yourself on here. Instantly you are now not alone. I know it's embarrassing but NEVER feel ashamed. You have not got this because of anything you have done or not done, it's just one of those wretched things. You must tell your mum love. There's a good chance she won't have heard of it but you've done the research and can back it up. Many family doctors are fairly ignorant about it too so you may have to push for referral to a specialist and your mum can help with that. Whilst your mum may be upset for you that you have this condition she will definately be a lot more upset at the thought of you suffering and worrying without her. Tell her as soon as possible love and you'll feel better straight away. You can then move forward together. There is lots of very sensible advice already given you here from people who are experienced with the condition AND mothers too and all our hearts go out to you but believe there IS a way forward. Xx
    • mila14992
      mila14992 ChrissyC

      Posted

      Thank you so much Chrissy, your post made me smile as of how sweet you are and how much you made me feel better!!! You're right, feeling ashamed is something I shouldn't feel as I did not get this because of something I have done...it happens. I will be telling my mom tonight once we have a chance to be alone and talk about it in privacy, as I have two younger siblings. I was thinking a gyno first and then go from there, but I will talk to my mom about it for sure. Thank you for reminding me that I am not alone in this, the support I have received from all of you has made me feel so much better about the situation and has given me much greater knowledge on it all! Thank you so much once again Chrissy, you will be hearing more from me soon!!! xx
    • ChrissyC
      ChrissyC mila14992

      Posted

      You sound such a sensible girl and the way you've responded to each individual here is exemplary. Fear is paralysing but action no matter how small helps you take control again and leads to further action. Good luck with your mum but it will be fine Xx
    • mila14992
      mila14992 ChrissyC

      Posted

      Chrissy, thank you so much..everything you have done from writing to me and boosting my spirits to giving me advice means a lot to me! I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to write back to me and read my story. You are very right, the sooner I take action...the sooner I will be able to take control of this. I did not get a chance to talk to my mom last night as I had family over, but tonight will most definitely be the night. Thank you once again for following my story and helping me through this journey, it means a lot! xx
  • ChrissyC
    ChrissyC mila14992

    Posted

    We'll done for doing what was needed Mila. I've not been saying much as Morrell has things well in hand and things are different here in the UK to the States where I guess you are. I wouldn't have got to see a specialist as quickly here and I'm really pleased for you. I will just say that I do have an under active thyroid and have compared notes with many others who have this or other auto immune disorders. My own consultant has said she is convinced there is a link but unfortunately no one REALLY knows anything for sure. Good luck with getting some relief from your symptoms soon Xx
    • mila14992
      mila14992 ChrissyC

      Posted

      Thank you so much Chrissy, the fact that you still read my forum and come back to it means so much to me!!! It shows that you care and I can't thank you enough for that! But yes I am from the US, where it seems as no one in the US is as educated on LS as those in the UK. Thank you, I am glad I am able to get in so soon as it seems as they have a long wait! Wow, you're right...I was reading some forums last night and lot of people do have thyroid problems. I wonder how having thyroid problems or any auto immune disease could cause something so horrible down there. Thank you so much for everything Chrissy, I will inform you on my appointment soon! xx
    • Morrell1951
      Morrell1951 mila14992

      Posted

      As you may have gathered in your research, Mila, auto-immune disorders are basically the body mistakenly attacking itself as if its own cells were the enemy. So, it's not that one of these causes another, it's that if we have the sort of body that does this, it's likely to do it in more than one way. I believe there's more and more of this, in our poison and anxiety-ridden world.
    • mila14992
      mila14992 Morrell1951

      Posted

      Thank you so much Morrell for clearing that up, I understand completely now!!! I could see how LS would happen by our body attacking itself, wish it didn't...but hey, that's how life is right? Sadly
  • Chrisy
    Chrisy mila14992

    Posted

    Sorry Mila for the late reply.  Broke my foot on Wednesday and today is the first time I've had to go through all my emails with hospital appointments and all my lovely friends visiting and helping me.  I am so impressed by your tale.  Well done you for telling your Mum but firstly for diagnosing yourself.  You obviously have a sensible head.  I just wanted to wish you well for your treatment.  I hope you find how to manage your condition quickly.  The best advice I can give you is to keep everything moisturised and clean.  Wash with Epaderm or any other emollient type wash or Hydramol or double base gel (these can be prescribed by your GP but check they may be cheaper over the counter, although the GP can prescribed large jars).  Use no perfumed products at all.  After peeing and drying (pat dry do not rub), moisturise to protect the area the next time you need to pee.  I carry a tiny pot of Epaderm in a makeup bag with my sanitary products.  It is a moisturiser so non of your friends need to know what you use if for. If you can talk to them do, although I do appreciate you may not want to do this,  maybe some or even just one of them may have the same condition and not know.  A lot of the damage is caused by the area being dry which causes the itching which in turn causes damage to the area.  You are young so I would recommend trying every possible cure that you think may help, diet, cream or otherwise.  It is good to feel that you are doing something.  I wish you all the very best with this horrible medical problem.  I think I had it at a very young age too, I am now 58.  I have had a wonderful marriage, a lovely daughter, and a great sex life.  I hope that gives you hope and encouragement for your future.  Good luck x
    • mila14992
      mila14992 Chrisy

      Posted

      Hello Chrisy, thank you so much for even taking the time to reply to my forum! It means a lot to me! I am so sorry about you're foot, I hope you are feeling a lot better and I'm wishing a speedy recovery!!!! Thank you so much for that, it makes me happy that people with the same disease congratulate me on that as they know what I am going through. Thank you for that Chrisy, I have an appointment with the gyno on Wednesday so I will let everyone know how that goes then! I will be sure to look into those washes as I have been starting to notice that my soap has made it itch more than usual. I will most definitely buy epaderm soon as it seems as it is useful for multiple things..which is great! I have actually confided in one friend about it and she has been very understanding and helpful throughout this process by keeping my kind off it and encouraging me that everything will be fine. It was weird telling her about it at first though, but you're right..maybe I could be helping out some of my friends as you all have helped me! That makes a lot of sense, the dryness is the worst part of it all! Thank you so much for the advice, encouragement, and simply just for writing to me. It means so much to me Chrisy, thank you!!!! xx
    • mila14992
      mila14992 Chrisy

      Posted

      Thank you Chrisy, I will let you know how it goes tomorrow! (: Xx
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