Lichen sclerosus, or more? Regretting avoiding the doctor for so long

[beargryllshasabigrope]

Does anyone have any experience of lichen sclerosus that could help to put my mind at rest?

I've had an itchy area on my labia majora for a long time now. A few years probably. I've stupidly buried my head in the sand and avoided seeing a doctor out of both embarrassment and lack of time to even think about it too much with very young children. But trusty doctor google has really put the fear of god in me about it being possibly cancer. I know it's a big old leap, but I'm super worried now. Going to make a doctors appointment tomorrow. Would a nurse practitioner be ok or is it best to see a gp? My surgery only has male doctors which doesn't fill my heart with joy but if needs must... I feel like a complete twat for leaving it for so long.

Little bump for the morning crowd...

I was the same as you and I convinced myself it was cancer- it was lichen sclerosis . The doctor did a biopsy and I was given cream, it cleared up quickly and I only have to use the cream once in a blue moon now.

Thank you for replying. I have scared myself silly about cancer. The thing that's worrying me is that I don't have any tell tale white patches, just a couple of red spot like areas and a bit of swelling (but that could be from having a mega itch session last night. I know.. I know..). If this isn't a TMI post then I don't know what is!

Nor did I! Go to the doctor, mine referred to the hospital but told me he was pretty certain it was lichen schlerosis and it was. They did a biopsy just to be sure.

You need to see GP.

LS is rare. It shows with a white area not red.
Cancer only affects 5% of women with long term LS.

It could be anything from long term thrush , to eczema to an STI.

Thank you. I have an appointment on Thursday so hopefully I'll get some answers then. I would have thought thrush would spread rather than stay in the same area, and my dodgy patch has been in the same area since it started.

Can I ask how you got on OP? I have what I thought was recurrent thrush because it seems to come and go. But like you, I'm now traumatised by Dr Google. Hope it went ok for you!

I went for a GP appointment today and I mentioned possible pale patches of skin and the doctor didn't want to examine me, she's sent me to the GUM clinic instead and I can't get an appointment until 6/6 :(

I had to rearrange my appointment due to childcare falling through, I'm booked in for next Tuesday.

Seems odd that your gp wouldn't check. Hopefully you have more luck at the sexual health clinic