Lichen Sclerosis

My DGD aged 10 has this problem. It is very rare in children. She virtually manages it herself now. When it flares up she applies the steroid cream herself and gradually reduces the dose till it clears. Unfortunately it does tend to return quite quickly. She is regularly examined by her GP as, left untreated, it can cause scarring and fusion if the labia. When it flares up she is in a great deal of pain, especially at night when she is hot. There is some suggestion that it might clear up at puberty - when I last saw her she had little breast buds so I am hoping that she might be free of it soon.

It is far more common in middle-aged women, and I believe is treated in just the same way. I do not think there is any reason to imagine it will cripple your friend for life. It is a nuisance, but not as dramatic as all that. If my wee GD can manage it successfully then I am sure your friend will be fine.

My eldest niece, in her early sixties has been diagnosed with this. She is managing it with a preparation prescribed by her doctor and it has by no means brought her life to a standstill. Please tell your friend to stay away from the Internet - I'm sure her GP will be able to address any concerns she has.

I was so scared by the changes I noticed that I asked to see a consultant gynaecologist. He was wonderfully reassuring, prescribed a cream and discharged me after a few visits, saying I should contact him in the future if I had any concerns. A couple of years later I did go back and was again reassured. I just keep using the cream - no problem.

Hello everyone - I have just this minute joined Gransnet as I did not know it existed until five minutes ago! However, I need to comment on this post regarding Lichen Sclerosus as I, too, have just been diagnosed with this dreadful disease. I am amazed that so many of the comments seem to treat this as a minor irritant - believe me, it is NOT minor. It can become very serious indeed - the labia can become "fused" and atrophy, making even urination impossible, and thence an operation (or several operations) can become necessary to be able to "pee". Personally, I have got the fused Labia Minora and my Clitoris has totally disappeared, which therefore precludes any future sexual gratification - the Vagina also becomes "fused", ergo - more surgery. This is to say nothing of the intense soreness and incessant itching present, especially when warm in bed at night, or during hot weather. The very strong Steroid Cream usually prescribed has serious side-effects and life in general can become very difficult indeed.
Granted - not all sufferers are in the same category - but I do wish that those who have not suffered badly would not try to lessen how bad it can be for others.

I was not trying to 'lessen how bad'. After my initial great fear at my physical changes (before seeing the consultant) I wanted to reassure people that there is a wide range of severity and suffering. I was simply offering my personal experience to OlderNoWiser.
That was what she asked for. Her friend's life will not necessarily be 'misery from now on'.
It can be minor, you have my sympathy that yours is not.

Hear hear! I have similar problems and it upsets me that LS does not seem to merit the same attention as say, breast cancer surgery in relation to its psychological impact on a woman if she can no longer enjoy a healthy intimate relationship with her partner.

There is a good group on Facebook I found helpful and supportive. Worth a try. I’ve had LS for many years. It doesn’t go away but I’ve learned to manage it.

Brilliant book I got on Kindle. Help I haveLichen Sclerosis. Recommend it. Good luck x

I was diognosed with Lichen Sclerosus some years ago . It causes great distress but can be managed with something like Trimovate from a GP.
However I feel I must share my recent revelation . I have recently had digestive problems , usually in the mornings. Had colonoscopies in the past - all clear thank goodness. I recently decided to stop using dairy milk and switch to a non dairy ' milk'
I have no idea if there is a connection, I have no medical qualification. All I know is my Lichen Sclerosus is at a all time low! I have never in my life suffered from food intolerance! The LS has not disappeared, but there seems to be a vast improvement! Will it last , who knows !? Not sure if dropping dairy milk is responsible or not , but feeling relived at the moment. Long may it last. I also took the advice from a post on GN that said to use Aveeno cream ' down there ' I think that has helped too. My digestive issues are also improved , so doing without dairy milk is a very small price to pay for relief. It is just a thought people may wish to give some thought to. If my LS rears its ugly head again I will have to accept that - fingers crossed it won't?If anyone with LS tries the non dairy milk and notices an improvement I would love to hear from you. I send positive thoughts to all who have to live with LS. Next time I visit my GP I will mention this and see what she thinks.