Dreadful LS Shock and Awe Moment

Women's health
1

I was just diagnosed 6 weeks ago with LS and in fact I am going back to the gynecologists’ today for a check up. Shock is an understatement as I’m trying to grasp straws on what happened for this to occur. I am post menopause and for the past 7 years on Vagifem pessaries to help with the vaginal dryness. I was told to wear panty liners and I did for the last seven years. I started to notice a burn and sting with tingling and I felt a “ring of fire” that I couldn’t get away from. I went to my female GP and she indicated all looked okay down under but she will prescribed a steroid cream. A week later I went back as that made the burning worse. The ring of fire is now visible and it looks like a red and raw line on both sides of the labia minora. Long Story short, I finally got in to see a female gynecologist and at first sight, she instantly said it was LS and said lets try the steroid ointment instead of the cream and also to apply an estrogen cream to the entire vaginal surface while I still use the vagifem pessary every 4 days.

Unfortunately, I am finding no relief and I could be facing a biopsy of the area today. Also to note, I smell like a yeast factory. I look back and I blame myself for the continual usage of those panty liners so they would whisk away moisture from the pessaries. Well, the liners did their job as I have no moisture left. I also have to say that if this was brought on by STRESS, then perhaps I am not the only one during these Covid times who is experiencing such a shock n awe with this LS.

2

Sorry to hear you’re having such a bad time. if the biopsy confirms it’s LS then the steroid ointment is the way to go, but to soothe the stinging, i was told (by female gynae) to apply plenty of emollient immediately after the ointment. E.g Epaderm or Epimax emollient. it may help you to feel much more comfortable.

3

Hi,

Just wanted to chime in that I have found that just about anything I try using gives me that burning terrible sensation at first while my body adjusts to it. I was told steroid ointment, and to use emlloients in between but the emollients ALWAYS bother me and make me burn. I just stick to the minimum which is using the steroid ointment in the right places in affected areas, and after a week or so of feeling like I might not be able to bear it any longer, my body seemed to adjust and was no longer stinging or burning when applying the ointment. So if you can bear it I would suggest trying to push through the short term pain and see if it gets better in a week or so. Although a lot of people talk about natural remedies, I really do think the steroids are the only thing that works long term for prevention and treatment.