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
[email protected]
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
Dear Susan and sufferers of Lichen Sclerosus (LS) I am post-men and have had LS for a year now but finally went to the Doctors to find out what was making me itch/burn so badly
I am trying to find the diet I should be on. There are so many contradictions. Some say Vegan. Some say Paleo. Dr. Robynne Chutkan says Veleo. Some say yes to seeds, others say no to seeds. Same for beans, meat, fruit, etc etc. These are all well-educated, well-meaning, sincere suggestions but frankly I am very confused. I am looking into the Autoimmune protocol now. They say grass fed beef ok.
Thank you Susan for the list of herbal remedies to take internally and topically. I am going to your "store" now to purchase some and will try.
Susan, any updates on LS would be so appreciated. There is no funding out there for it because it is rare (hmmmm) and very little articles written on it. Very few Doctors with knowledge of how antibiotics, steroids, hormone creams are part of the problem rather than solution. So it's very hard to get help.
Thank you for all you do Susan. And good luck to all of you out there who are suffering.
Posted by: Martha Johnson | May 17, 2018 at 07:21 AM
I have LS and have been suffering badly for a couple of years. I was given Clob and was using bioidentical hormones. I am still having hot flashes but avoiding alcohol/coffee/stress helps, as well I am using clary sage oil on my feet. I was doing baking soda soaks which did help. I have been unable to have intercourse in over a year. Raw areas are not healing. I have researching, asked a couple of medical mediums but I feel torn and am always trying this or that, and maybe not any one thing long enough as I'm unsure of what is going to work. I bought chickweed oil but that stings like OMG. I will try comfrey leaves and the red clover. Has anyone been having successes? I am getting so discouraged. Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | June 28, 2016 at 09:25 PM