Can someone please tell me if my symptoms sound like LS?
I’ve been dealing with these small painful Papercut looking cuts on my vulva and vaginal area For a while now .whenever I go to the doctor they just told me that I have a yeast infection but I know this is not what i am dealing with. I had an STD panel test and and herpes test and everything came back negative. I also have intense itching burning tingling that interferes with every day life . I can’t have sex and it’s hurting my relationship with my husband.it feels as if my skin is thinning. And it’s leaving me scarred. Sometimes my skin peelsdown there. And just recently I started bleeding a little bit from my vagina somewhat watery but I’m still breast-feeding my baby and I haven’t got my period back since I gave birth About 19 months ago. So I might just be getting my period back.
Hi Molly,
some of the symptoms you describe, the burning, itching could be symptoms of LS. The bleeding does not. Do you have a vulvar specialist, clinic or a dermatologist near you that is knowledgeable in LS? The first gyn I went to kept telling me I had fungal nfection and was treating for that for about three months until I had surgery for something else and the urologist did a biopsy. Once I found out it was LS I found a vulvar specialist and have been going to her ever since. She has gotten the symptoms under control and I have been stable for a little over three years. A lot of docs are not knowledgeable about LS or how to treat it. My suggestion would be to try to find a specialist and go see them for a second opinion. You know your body better then any doc and if you don't feel this is a yeast infection and it has been going on for awhile you need to find someone who can help you. If it is LS and you find a knowledgeable doc, it can be controlled. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
I'm not a doctor and not an expert but that sounds like LS. It sounds exactly like what I have and I have been diagnosed with it. I've read on this forum that many women were wrongly diagnosed with yeast infections before doctors realized it was LS. Apparently many doctors don't even know very much about this conditon?? Can you try a different doctor or go back and ask them to verify whether or not it is LS? Good luck!
Hi Molly, I'm sorry to say this, but you are correct in that you have LS.
You are experiencing a 'flare' up and also many of the other symptoms of LS. What some women and doctors alike don't realise is that often when you are in a flare with LS you will see white discharge, it looks almost like milk, which is actually very different to the discharge you have with thrush. The paper cuts your describe are classic LS, I often get them in the crack of my butt, and they are very painful.
Ideally, you need to find a Vulva Clinic near where you live. If that is not possible a gynecologist or dermatologist. But, more importantly, you need to know that they have experience with LS. You need to become well informed and if you click on the 'lichen sclerosus' at the top of the page you will see hundreds of threads from other women with LS. Read them and learn about this condition. There is also a link to a lecture from a doctor Goldstein on LS which is definitely worth looking at.
Hi, actually bleeding is rare, but it is a symptom of LS for some women because the skin becomes quite thin and can tear, hence the bleeding.
Ouch, that must be very sore. Suggest you go back to your doctor and ask to be referred to Gynae Consultant. Are you in the UK? Try your Practice Nurse or even your Health Visitor for help if your GP doesnt help.
Thank you for responding. The bleeding was just my period finally returning after I was pregnant and 18 months of breastfeeding. Interestingly it feels like the period somewhat releaved my symptoms.
Thank you for responding. I do see the white milky liquid. I also get the terrible paper cuts around my butt( a real pain in the ass). Thanks for the advise. I’ve been bathing in baking soda and putting neosporn on the cuts.
Hi, did you ever figure put What was causing the peeling and fissures? This sounds exactly like my symptoms. I am 21 months postpartum currently and has my period return at 18 months as well. My doctor is saying my symptoms are due to breastfeeding.