Lichen Sclerosis

Q: Hi, I was wondering if I can get the information on treating Lichen Sclerosus in the vulva. Supposedly it's a condition I'll have to live with the rest of my life but I don't want it to get worse and the only treatment I can get from the medical system is a cortisone cream.

Thanks for what info you can send.

 

A: Hello, I am glad you wrote. I would not accept it is something you will have to live with all your life. My research shows at this point it is a label for a set of symptoms with no known clear causes as far as the MDs are concerned. In this case, as others like it, I hear doctors prescribe some drug and say accept it will always be there and this will only be temporary help. Perhaps the case is different for you. Aside from the label given can you describe what you are experiencing, when and how long? Also did the person who diagnosed it offer a cause and explanation why he or she thinks you will have it for life?

A wonderful nourishing herb for those with skin conditions, especially the "mysterious" ones, is deep digging burdock root. The root tincture is what is used, 1-4 dropperfuls drunk in water a day. Similarly, the roots of Dandelion and Yellow Dock help some women.

If you are postmenopausal, Motherwort tincture, 25 drops in water drunk each morning, can help bring moisture and thickness to the vaginal walls.

Topically, you could try some herb infused oils. Again which herbs are best will be for you to explore. Plantain leaf oil is soothing for most, as is Calendula flower oil. Comfrey root oil is healing to damaged tissues.

Cortisone cream is the common response by doctors to relieve symptoms, which it can do successfully, but does nothing to nourish the health of the tissue. Long term it has its own irritating effects, like thinning tissues.

Comfrey leaves can be prepared as infusions and drunk to support skin health and elasticity. The infusions can also be used topically on the skin, daily as a sitz bath if vaginal or anal tissues are involved. You may wish to try this before the oils. Or if using the oils, do so with breaks in between so air can get to your skin.

The above suggestions take steps not only to help soothe the discomfort, but add to long-term nourishment of the tissues to keep this from returning.

A final thought involves your diet and digestive health. It has been found that some dry itchy heated skin conditions respond well to increased good quality fats in the diet, and for some an increase in water. But the latter without the former may not be enough. There is also speculation that lichen sclerosis is an autoimmune response. Some have found that many autoimmune conditions abate when digestive health is increased. This can be done with the root tinctures mentioned above - burdock, yellow dock or dandelion - and yogurt or other fermented foods to help increase gut flora.

Simply, focus on the skin's overall health and all that supports it, internally, externally, with thoughts, actions, exercise, and fresh air and sun.

I am happy to dialogue with you further on it, please let me know how I can help.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hi Karen,

your reply was warming (and informative), also your prompt response was much appreciated,
thanks.

[response in below, with earlier note in italics]

Hello, I am glad you wrote. I would not accept it is something you will have to live with all your life.
Good to hear.

My research shows at this point it is a label for a set of symptoms with no known clear causes as far as the MDs are concerned. In this case, as others like it, I hear doctors prescribe some drug and say accept it will always be there and this will only be temporary help. Perhaps the case is different for you. Aside from the label given can you describe what you are experiencing, when and how long?
The short version is that for health reasons I was on a serious cleanse (Gerson) which included doing 4-8 enemas a day. I did this for about a year ( I know that many enemas and for so long isn't my best option), unfortunately about 90% of the time fecal water from the enemas would get into my vulva. The specialist say that isn't the cause of my Lichen Sc. but I disagree. About a few months after I started the enemas I started to get some itching in my vulva area. The gyno couldn't see anything so told me to do the basic stuff (cotton undies, mild soap...), about 6 months after that she finally started to see growth so she put me on the steroid, and told me what I most likely have. I saw a different gyno who took a biopsy and confirmed I had Lichen Sc.

It's now about 2 years since the itching first started, once the bacteria builds (on a daily basis) sometimes my skin acts up. My natural skin color was brown since the disease it's now pink (fortunately there is still some brown area where there wasn't an itching problem). About 1/2 and 1/2 coloring, the itching was around the inner lips and the clitoris. My inner lips look smaller than they use to be and every time I see or feel them they are always swollen. The itching is now mild and periodic, before it was severe and often. I change my underwear 2-3 times a day and rince 1-2 times a day, both those actions help keep the itching at bay. I believe sexual friction exasperates the itching (but I'm not sure as I haven't been sexual for a couple of years)

Also did the person who diagnosed it offer a cause and explanation why he or she thinks you will have it for life?
No, the specialist (gyno at the woman's health clinic, the people are very good there but are traditional) basically just said the way to manage the symptoms is to apply the cream often (gave more detailed instructions) until symptoms go away, then for the rest of my life, 2 times a week apply a small pea size quantity, and have a yearly check up. In doing so it will cause the deterioration/damage to stop, and keep my vulva skin functioning well, that has been their experience. Everyone else is saying the cream will cause thinning of the skin and by the time I'm 60 my vulva will look and feel like it's 80 or 90.

A wonderful nourishing herb for those with skin conditions, especially the "mysterious" ones, is deep digging burdock root. The root tincture is what is used, 1-4 dropperfuls drunk in water a day. Similarly, the roots of Dandelion and Yellow Dock help some women.
I might hold off on the burdock root as it seems that when I eat it it upsets my digestive system and my vulva sometimes itches a little for a very short period of time. I have dandelion tincture I will start using that

If you are postmenopausal, Motherwort tincture, 25 drops in water drunk each morning, can help bring moisture and thickness to the vaginal walls.
No not yet, but lack of moisture in my body is one long term complaints-my body is very dry and has been for 15 years. I believe it's due to a digestive problem

Topically, you could try some herb infused oils. Again which herbs are best will be for you to explore. Plantain leaf oil is soothing for most, as is Calendula flower oil. Comfrey root oil is healing to damaged tissues.
I will experiment

Cortisone cream is the common response by doctors to relieve symptoms, which it can do successfully, but does nothing to nourish the health of the tissue. Long term it has its own irritating effects, like thinning tissues.

Comfrey leaves can be prepared as infusions and drunk to support skin health and elasticity. The infusions can also be used topically on the skin, daily as a sitz bath if vaginal or anal tissues are involved. You may wish to try this before the oils. Or if using the oils, do so with breaks in between so air can get to your skin.
Good to know. How about sunlight, will periodically exposing my vulva for short periods of sunlight help. I tried it a few times it felt good, but doesn't mean it is in my best interest. I will be by myself for 5 months in the middle of the woods, with a restriction on my water use, so cleaning well and frequent sitz baths is/will be challenging.

The above suggestions take steps not only to help soothe the discomfort, but add to long-term nourishment of the tissues to keep this from returning.

A final thought involves your diet and digestive health. It has been found that some dry itchy heated skin conditions respond well to increased good quality fats in the diet, and for some an increase in water. But the latter without the former may not be enough. There is also speculation that lichen sclerosis is an autoimmune response. Some have found that many autoimmune conditions abate when digestive health is increased. This can be done with the root tinctures mentioned above - burdock, yellow dock or dandelion - and yogurt or other fermented foods to help increase gut flora.
I am working on my digestive problems. I also have a sluggish liver and I am starting to take some pills that seem to be helping ( I believe they are helping because my body bloating seems to be abating).

Simply, focus on the skin's overall health and all that supports it, internally, externally, with thoughts, actions, exercise, and fresh air and sun.

I am happy to dialogue with you further on it, please let me know how I can help.
Thanks again, and blessings to you.

 

A: You are welcome, write any time....

Yes, with the damage you did to your intestines there must be great damage to your intestinal flora. And if you feel you had digestive problems before this, it likely only got worse. An imbalance can cause overgrowth, as well, I agree with you fecal water in your vagina will cause problem, and daily for a year! Yes, please please do take Dandelion root tincture, 10-20 drops in water with each meal or about 3 times a day. And please please be kind to your digestive system function and allow it a rest. Nourish with probiotics and yogurt if possible. The Dandelion tincture can help with digestion, therefore important absorption, and nourish your liver. What is in the pills you are starting to take? If you wish to share.

I am glad you will experiment with the suggestions. And yes sun sounds good to me, but in small amounts to damaged tissue.

If you will be somewhere where water use is restricted, yet you have not yet found other options for relief, I invite you to consider if this trip is necessary right now. Your health and happiness are treasures. You are a beautiful loved person, please continue to give yourself the same value love and kindness, as I hear you do in your emails to me :)

much love,
Karen Joy

Comments

[Pauline Wanstall]

Seven years ago I took three doses of a broad spectrum antibiotic and ended up with the most awful itching in the vulva area. Eventually I saw my doctor and she gave me a steroid cream and said that if it stopped the itching I must have LS. I absolutely refuse to keep using a steroid and as I don't seem to have any other sypmtoms of LS at all - eg; no pain, sores, lesions etc - I am now trying plain yoghurt mixed with acidophilis powder taken from capsules and putting this on the area several times a day. I also take vitamin C tablets and have come off sugar and yeast. I get some tingling during the day and maybe once a night some itching which I avoid scratching! I don't now get the awful sensation of being pricked with needles! My husband had a yeast infection for years and got rid of it in the end by avoiding sugar and yeast and using yoghurt to relieve the itching. Has anyone else tried this? I would also like to know if this is a yeast infection could it last for years untreated.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1079435779]

I have been diagnosed with this disease. It's totally self-defeating, but I refuse to give in to the illness! I'm exploring every option to find a cure for this. I'm also praying for a miracle. What is the missing link? What's lacking in the body that causes the outbreak? I have discovered a few things that seem to be related with this disease.
1. Hypothyroidism
2. Post-menopause
3. Pre-menopause (age 45-55)
4. Vitamin D deficiency
So what does this tell us? What do we need to supplement in our diets, vitamins, minerals to replace what has been lost? I don't have the answers. Surely there must be a study on this horrible affliction.
I am trying to deal with the diagnosis. I only now have begun to experience the severe, seering, burning spots and the unbearable itching. Seems like nothing relieves it, really. I took a steroid shot for a bronchial condition and it helped my symptoms for one day, but they are slowly coming back. I'm using Emu oil, Estrace, Testosterone Cream and Clobetasol Ointment. I've experimented with Epsom salt soaks (which, surprisingly, seems to sooth it some), Oatmeal baths (good) and washing gently with Neutrogena soap. I guess I need to use only one treatment at a time in order to discover what may be causing irritation, which I've noticed between my butt cheeks. Though this may be caused by the excessive moisture from the creams. Regardless, I won't give up. I'm going to the Vulvar Clinic at UAMS/Little Rock next month. Hopefully, by then, I will be better and we can explore a deeper study into the causes of this appalling disorder. Thank you guys for listening and feel free to reply and make comments.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1079435779]

I just read a post on another site from a sufferer who used real aloe plant gel, refrigerated. She is nearly symptom free now. It obviously worked for her, maybe it could work for you.

[Smitty]

My 5 year old daughter has LS which I believe is a result of intense itching for the past 4 years. The Dr says that the itch is a result of no estrogen in her body. She used topical estrogen cream and the itch subsided but the LS symptoms got much worse. Now she is on topical steroid but I am really interested in natural remedies esp for the itch since I know it will probably come back after she stops the steroids. The ideas above seem helpful but I'm concerned about using Burdock, for example, for such a young child. Also, does anyone know more about if emu oil could be used safely on a 5 year old? Do you apply topically?

The other concern I have is that the skin around her anus is becoming discolored - almost grey - and she is complaining of it hurting. I don't see this as a symptom of LS anywhere. Ever heard of this?

I can see why this is mis-diagnosed as sexual abuse - it is so scary.

[sue]

could you tell me is vasoline helpful or harmful to use on a daly basis?

Thanks so much

[Elizabeth Smith]

hi i have been diagnosed with LS an i just dont seen to get any releif its really hard for me as the intense symptoms are so bad it driving me crazy.The worst is i cant take tablets or herbal as i suffer from anxitety problems which i have areal problem taking herbal an other medications so how do i get help.I feel sorry for other people that have this horrible condition.I was reading this web site thought u might be able ro give me some advice i hope so thank you very much.

[Momma Day]

Hello everyone,
I suffer from this disease as well and am not having much luck with the long term management. I find the steriodal cream to be a nuisance and not very effective.

For those of you who are suffering from intense itching, usually at night, keeping you awake and have not yet been biopsied, I found that pouring witch hazel (undiluted and diluted) over the area while sitting over a bath and then bathing in the water was my only short term cure.

The itching is very intense. I used a large bottle of witch hazel everyday. I also added sea salt (himalayan) to my baths to help with the fissures I had developed (the skin around your anus becomes very thing and hemorrhoids and fissures are very common and very painful).

My lichen sclerosus came on after the birth of my third child and I think is somehow related to my hormones, breastfeeding, etc. I had the same thing as a teenager but had spontaneous cure. I am just praying for the same cure again.

Keep posting your tips and successes. I am convinced this is an immune system disease.

D

Also be aware of the colour of our butt.
Eventually your bottom turns white(transparent).

If there is any additional colour change or anything else unusual report immediately to your specialist as there is an increased risk of cancer. This also means pap smears recommended every 6 months.

[Diane Marie]

I was diagnosed with Lichens several years ago. I am using clobetisol and the itching has gotten worse. I am going thru menopause and have an overactive thyroid. Do you think this is the reason why it is worse? My gyno gave me progesterone cream that you insert internally. That also does nothing. I have not had sex in several years but I am pretty sure I would not be able to stand it. It is such a horrible thing to experience. I feel for all ladies who have this condition

[Laura Sandoval]

I also have been suffering with Lichens sclerosis and have found that using Neem oil 3 times a day along with green tea extract has restored my anatomy. I spoke with Dr. Wong (go to Dr. Wong's Store on-line for his phone number). Dr. Wong told me that except for osteoporosis any other condition ending in "sis" can also be treated with enzymes. I purchased then and continue to purchase from his store the Zymessence and this has also helped control the LS.

In 2001 (after taking several biopsys in the previous years) my Gynecologist in a letter told me that I might have LS, but I was not treated for it until late 2008 when I had a flare up. I used the Clobetasol and other prescription drugs she recommended. They did not work. Then I started using the Neem Oil, Green Tea Extract and the Zymessence and I only had 2 flare ups in 2009.

When I went back to the Gynecologist in Oct 2009, she was surprised to see that my condition was improved. I told her everything I just wrote about above and she wrote in my medical record that I now only had a mild case of LS. She was also curious about which enzymes were in the Zymessence. I gave her back right then and there almost a full tube of Clobetasol (that was horrible) and some of the other medicine she had prescribed as it had only worked temporarily.

I know all of us who are suffering with this are looking for anything that makes us comfortable during the flareups - but we are also hopeful to find something that will take it away for ever.

Some of you might want to try these 3 options that I mentioned, they are working for me. I will continue to look for other natural products and I will try the ones written about in earlier comments.

Good luck to us all.

Lauris

[KC]

I have been diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus but my symptoms were not the irritating itching, but very painful intercourse which always ended in bleeding. No one else on here mentioned this part. Does anyone else suffer this way and have you found anything to help? My doctor gave me 2 shots of kenalog in the genital area and suggested a dilator every day for 30 days. Any other suggestions????

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hello friend excellent post about Lichen Sclerosis thanks for sharing!! I'm very interesting in this post

[Noita]

I am taking Essiac orally and Emu Oil topically for
Lichen Sclerosis.
Does anyone know of any problems taking these for LS?

[Beams]

Hi there, I have had LS et atrophicus diagnosed last year. Prior to that I had been suffering for at least another 2 years. I am post-menopausal.

these last four months I have concentrated on 1..avoiding stressful situations 2: ..a regimen of good vitamin supplements, particularly Omega 3, plenty of fresh fruits.. . 3: cotton only undies 4: a handshower with plenty of water and NO soaps 5: If there is any soreness I use a film of cortisone, but mostly an antiseptic emollient cream or nothing at all. Lastly, I have gone back to hormone patches.

The last two months I have reverted to one shower and one change of undies a day as against two or three before. I have no itching and soreness is infrequent.

I certainly cannot say I am getting better, but I am certainly not worse, and LS is no longer the focus of my days as it was when it was real bad.

Now that I have read your posts here, I intend to experiment as per your advice. I too do not accept that it is with me for life. I will keep at it until I get rid of it.