Lichen sclerosus is a chronic condition that will cause itching,
burning, skin changes and eventually changes to your vulvar anatomy. It now has been linked to various autoimmune disorders, including thyroid disease, vitiligo, alopecia
areata (hair loss), pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency), and diabetes mellitus. It
may make you more susceptible to yeast or bacterial infections, but
discharge is not usually a common symptom from this condition alone.
Women of any age can get this, cases as young as girls prior to puberty
have been reported. Lichen Sclerosus may have a genetic component, or it may be linked or at least worsened by low estrogen, it's not thought to be caused by infection. Looking
at the conditions of the external tissues a physician cannot always make
an accurate diagnosis, but the tissue has characteristic thin white
paper look that has been called "cigarette paper" look. So the most
accurate way to diagnoses is a biopsy
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Severe Lichen Sclerosus with Ulceration |
without a biopsy.If there is a condition that
presents itself and then clears up with treatment, that may be a
situation that wouldn't need a biopsy. But conditions that do not clear
up with treatment especially are good cases for a biopsy. One sign
physicians look for is how the condition affects you external anatomy.
For certain patients, over years of the condition, the nature of your
lichen sclerosus will change. Severe changes in the anatomy will
occur. The changes occur because of the thinning and scarring of the
tissues, and a tendency to change the anatomy of the external vaginal
and vulvar tissues by forming bridges between the lips and scaring. Over
time there can even be obscuring of the clitoris or covering over the
urethra where you urinate. This can be called a hooded clitoris and the
tissue changes can interfere with orgasm as well. This is most often
due to lichen sclerosus which is pictured above, and really is a very severe case, most are not this severe. Without treatment these
anatomy changes will both persist and progress. So if you are noticing
skin changes that seem to be persisting, please see your gyno and get an
accurate diagnosis to prevent long term complications of this
condition. You may think you have yeast or bladder infection, but it is really this condition. The treatments are usually very potent steroids that should
be managed by a gyno. You cannot be cured, but the discomfort and
dis-figuration can be managed. And now that we know of the links with other autoimmune diseases, diagnosing them properly and getting appropriate treatment may in fact may also help the lichens to be resolved.
I was diagnosed with LS after being misdiagnosed for over 3 years. I have been prescribed potent steroid creams, anti-itch creams, steroid pills, birth control and more and yet.... no relief. My vagina has become what I would assume to be permanently disfigured, sex is no longer enjoyable or possible, and I am completely miserable. The pain/ burning is so intense that I lay in bed screaming wishing I would just die. I have seen 4 different docs and they have all sais that I have the most severe case they have ever seen. I am only 29 and my symptoms only began after having my tubal ligation. Would a tubal ligation reversal alleviate any of my symptoms? Is it possible that my TL is the cause of this horrible disease? Is there any light at the end of the tunnel or am I doomed to live with this hell forever?
ReplyDeleteI would like to know the same!! I am 41 and have just been diagnosed with this 2 years after my TL. There's a great Yahoo group for LS that I suggest joining as I have as there's just reams of information you can read over about LS - my name is Clare on there if you wish to talk privately.
Deletehttps://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LichenSclerosis/info
Free treatment for those who qualify for this research project for the treatment of Lichen Sclerosus. Go to this website: www.LichenSclerosusTreatment.com
ReplyDeleteTubal ligation reversal has not been linked to improvement in lichen sclerosus in any studies I am aware of. Nor can I think of a plausible biologic reason that would make me believe tubal ligation reversal would improve lichen sclerosus either. We have been able to successfully use some new therapies. Laser treatments have helped women with a variety of vulvar and vaginal conditions and are worth considering as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't honestly think the tubal had anything to do with you getting LS. For me I found out when I was pregnant with my last child.. That was 8 yrs ago.. I have the steriod creams and anti itch creams which help but still itch.. Try not to actually itch with your nails..I tty to itch from the outside of my clothes if I must itch.. Good luck ..
ReplyDeleteIt's important to get a biopsy in atypical cases of lichen sclerosus, discuss whether you need this with your gyno.
ReplyDelete