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Suggest Treatment For Mild Vulvar Atrophy
Question: I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosis about a month ago. I was prescribed a steroid cream. The extreme itchiness and soreness have gone, but the vulva area looks completely different...the labia minora are almost completely gone.
How much tissue is typically lost? What could disappear next?
I'm 59 and a bit freaked out. Have Gyno appointment follow-up in two months. Can't wait that long...
Thanks.
How much tissue is typically lost? What could disappear next?
I'm 59 and a bit freaked out. Have Gyno appointment follow-up in two months. Can't wait that long...
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Mild vulvar atrophy may be there.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
In Lichen sclerosis the whole vulva and/or anal skin may become white and be more fragile than normal. The fragile skin may become damaged, inflamed, raw, and prone to painful splitting and cracking. It may become painful to have sex.
The vulva may shrink (atrophy). In some cases the changes of the vulval skin may make the entrance to the vagina narrower.
Noe that you have started using steroid ointment and itching is much better further damage to the skin is not likely. Do take care to keep the skin well moisturized. Use a single application of steroid ointment at night for four weeks, followed by alternate nights for four weeks and then twice a week for four weeks. The skin may take about three months of treatment to look and feel better.
Avoid bubble baths, scented soap, detergents, perfumes, etc, to the genital skin (vulva). These may irritate the skin and make symptoms worse. Lubricants are useful during sex if having sex is painful.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Mild vulvar atrophy may be there.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
In Lichen sclerosis the whole vulva and/or anal skin may become white and be more fragile than normal. The fragile skin may become damaged, inflamed, raw, and prone to painful splitting and cracking. It may become painful to have sex.
The vulva may shrink (atrophy). In some cases the changes of the vulval skin may make the entrance to the vagina narrower.
Noe that you have started using steroid ointment and itching is much better further damage to the skin is not likely. Do take care to keep the skin well moisturized. Use a single application of steroid ointment at night for four weeks, followed by alternate nights for four weeks and then twice a week for four weeks. The skin may take about three months of treatment to look and feel better.
Avoid bubble baths, scented soap, detergents, perfumes, etc, to the genital skin (vulva). These may irritate the skin and make symptoms worse. Lubricants are useful during sex if having sex is painful.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply.
The atrophying of the labia has occurred since I was diagnosed and started using the steroid cream, and it's happened very quickly. The labia are almost gone, and shrink daily. Is this normal?
Once they're gone, then what? Will the steroid treatment stop this progression?
Thanks again.
The atrophying of the labia has occurred since I was diagnosed and started using the steroid cream, and it's happened very quickly. The labia are almost gone, and shrink daily. Is this normal?
Once they're gone, then what? Will the steroid treatment stop this progression?
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
The shrinking of labia will stop in 2-3 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The atrophy occurs till the disease is progressing. Since the symptoms are improving the atrophy will also stop in next 2-3 weeks.
The gradual shrinking will stop however it will take a few months to regain the normal shape of the labia. The steroid treatment will stop the progressive atrophy of labia.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
The shrinking of labia will stop in 2-3 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The atrophy occurs till the disease is progressing. Since the symptoms are improving the atrophy will also stop in next 2-3 weeks.
The gradual shrinking will stop however it will take a few months to regain the normal shape of the labia. The steroid treatment will stop the progressive atrophy of labia.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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