I was diagnosed a year ago even though I'm 62 and have had LS most of my life. The gynae prescribed Clobetasol cream and Premarin cream in a gradually diminishing schedule. I inserted doses of the Premarin vaginally as directed and experienced side effects equivalent to those I'd had with an oral birth control pill. She had suggested the estrogen would help renew the vulva, but as I was skeptical, (I had no HRT after menopause) I decided to stop using the Premarin.
A year has gone by an I'm very happy with what the Clobetasol has accomplished. I went back to a site called Living with Lichen Sclerosus, which I hadn't looked at all year. Dee describes the use of Clobetasol the same as Dr. Goldstein, with warm baths to pre-soften the skin.
She used the estrogen in the same way as Clobetasol, pea-sized amounts massaged in well EXTERNALLY ONLY. She says she's had some very positive effects but they took three years. So, I'm up for trying this. When I was starting out I was very confused by the schedule and some nights was applying both creams and worrying about what was happening between them. Now that I'm using Clob only Mondays and Thursdays, I can easily use estrogen as many of the other days as I want.
I looked up what Dee says about 'bio-identical' estrogen prepared by a compounding pharmacy on Quackwatch and I've decided Premarin will do just fine. External causes no side effects – to the point where it's used for little boys with prepuces that won't retract.
Hi Morrell,
glad you brought this up. I am going to my PCP tomorrow and am hoping she will listen to me about the topical estrogen. I have heard of a few people having good luck with it.
Living with LS is a good site, one of the first I read after being diagnosed and always go back and reread information. Dee offers good info. I am curious to hear from more women using the estrogen and what benefits they have experienced or not experienced. I think as with everything, the benefits will differ from person to person. And I cant imagine it would hurt to try. The last Dr. I saw said she did not know of the use of estrogen with LS. My typical problem with Drs. My PCP is actually going to make time for me (havent been able to get apt with her for 2 years ugh.) she is always willing to look up info if she is unsure about it. So am hopeful she will listen to me.
Hi Morrell
I had the same side effects as you with Oestrogen tablets inserted into my Vagina (aged 69 - no HRT following menapause). The GP poo-pooed it, but I know my own body. She then prescribed an oestrogen cream officially for insertion, but she knows that I only use it topically on the damaged skin of my vulva and incidentally also on the birth cleft, which started splitting due to LS. It has helped immensely with both. I don't bother with soaking and lots of massaging for the oestrogen on my own theory that it is intended to work to repair the surface of the skin, whereas Clob is intended to work on the deepest layer of the skin.
Good point. Thanks for making one thing a bit simpler!