Does this look like lichen sclerosus? ***MNHQ adding CW for sensitive images***

[Sia8899]

I posted last week about having vulva pain/burning/redness/swelling for 4+ months. I have changed everything that comes into contact with my vulva and wash with just water, the only thing that helps is having cold showers and avoiding heat. Lots of people suggested LS but I hadn’t seen any white patches, after further investigation I’ve found some.

I know no one can diagnose over MN, but I’d really really appreciate some opinions from people who have it, such as “maybe, mine looked like that” or “maybe not, mine didn’t look like that”. The photos I’ve seen online look very advanced where the clitoris and lips are barely visible but I assume it doesn’t start like that. The other sorest area on me is where the vulva skin meets the outer lips but this is just red not white.

My GP and the thrush clinic haven’t mentioned the lighter patches, although I did have to do a bit of pulling to see them. (I’m currently being seen by a thrush/sexual health clinic but all swabs including thrush are negative). I don’t think the clinic can refer, so would I need to go back to my GP and ask for a dermatologist referral? I think I’ll go private if I can as I’m at my wit’s end with the pain, am I right in thinking I’d still need a GP referral and can’t book directly?

A couple of things about the photos -

• Blood warning - I was on my period and didn’t want to wipe too hard so there may be a tiny amount of visible blood
• The bits below my clitoris that look like tears have been there for years and never hurt so either they’re normal/not related to my current problem or they’ve been a painless symptom (also I’m 32, regular periods and a hormone blood test a month ago was normal so I don’t think it’s skin thinning from peri).

Thank you all so much for your help, I wouldn’t have considered LS or checked myself again if the ladies on the last thread hadn’t mentioned it xx

Really hard to say but it could be. Has your GP not mentioned LS? I had it mildly but more on the vulva, skin where the vulva meets the thighs.

I was diagnosed with vaginal dermatitis after many years of soreness etc. I still suffer but can kind of manage if. I wonder if being referred to a dermatology specialist / dept might help.

No, my GP has only seen me once and said it sounded like thrush, gave me treatment and said to go to the thrush/GUM clinic if no improvement. I’ve been examined twice there and no mention of LS either. I’m also having a bit of irritation where the outer lips join the thighs, did you have white patches there or Just redness?

Yes, that's how mine started. My gp gave me a triple action cream that contains a steroid, anti thrush and antibiotic to get it under control then I use a steroid cream daily

Thank you ❤️ so your GP diagnosed and you didn’t go to a dermatologist or need a biopsy?

Genital psoriasis?

Yes. Gp diagnosed. She said she knew what it was as soon as she saw it. The cream that she prescribed works a treat.

Hi op, my LS started off with small white patches and those are now almost gone because of the cream I use. Just how bad LS is at the time of diagnosis does depend a lot on how quickly it’s diagnosed. Mine has never really got worse but when I have a flare up I can scratch myself until I bleed.

I hope things improve for you soon

Sorry just to add that I was officially diagnosed by a consultant dermatologist where I live in the Middle East but every Dr I saw whilst going through the system along the way recognised it for what it was. I had to see the Consultant though to have the clob ointment prescribed.

After 3 plus years of thinking I had an STI and too scared to go to the clinic. I finally went a few months ago. As soon as the gp looked she mentioned LS and told me to go to my GP.
I was prescribed a 1% hydrocortisone cream.. Hasn't helped and I have a dermatology appt in a few weeks.

This weekend I have been in agony and tearful with this.