I read and re-read many of your suggestions and for the last 4 days I have had some relief with the following suggestions: 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar in bath and soak for 15min. It has cut down on itching and I'm less inflammed.
Zinc oxide seems to work on decreasing redness and itching ( applying 2x a day) However is it OK to use continually on vaginal tissue?
Also applying cold water after each time I urinate. Started Essiac tea but too soon to access.Thanks, Moira, N.Y.
Replied By Betty (North Dakota) on 02/06/2015
I was just recently diagnosed with Lichen Schlerosus. Fortunately, caught it very early because I was itching for a couple of weeks, thought it was a yeast infection and treated it that way but still made an appointment with my OBGYN. He immediately diagnosed it as LS. I was surprised because nothing had changed in my life, not even my soap, but he said it happens often post-menopausal because of a general thinning of the tissues around the vaginal area due to drop in estrogen, etc. (Of course, this doesn't explain those who have it pre-menopause). However, this list has served me greatly because I believe in tackling the symptoms somewhat aggressively early with a little western medicine (the steroid cream) and then figuring out how to holistically stop the cause internally. Based upon this list (thank you very much) I drink red clover tea twice a day (which supplements the immune system and provides a little estrogen to the post-menopausal body), eliminated sugar and dairy (which I had started to do anyway prior to this event), take Black Seed Oil (which supports the immune system and provides a whole host of other amazing benefits, take a probiotic to replenish the good bacteria, take a teaspoon of Carlsson's lemon-flavored Cod Liver Oil (also a host of amazing benefits for women) and eating whole organic foods (no processed foods). I also use organic coconut oil as a regular lubricant in between the steroid treatments and take a daily sitz bath infused with organic apple cider vinegar (with the mother). I have been feeling much better and it's just been the third day. In addition, I got rid of my regular panty liners and got organic chlorine and plastic free cotton ones from the health food store. I believe we are subjecting our bodies to so many chemicals in an unregulated fashion...at some point the body is going to rebel. While the OBGYN said this condition is relatively common, you have to ask yourself why? It makes no sense to me but I'm going to treat the symptoms and my system and have faith it will clear up. At the end of the day, the body tells us we have an issue with what we are doing. If we listen and address both the symptoms and the suspected cause we are only going to benefit ourselves in the long run.Replied By Carrie (Ca) on 01/22/2016
Itched for months and finally was diagnosed with LS. I used steroid cream to get the itch, sores and bruising down. Now I'm just using zinc oxide diaper cream every few days and have not had to use the steroid cream again. I'm also squatting far forward to urinate straight down without it touching my genitals, as a precaution.
I am going to start using legal CBD oil as I read LS could be autoimmune and CBD is being used in autoimmune issues. Also, after reading here, I'm going to start gluten-free too.
I'm doing well with just the zinc oxide for now, but I really don't want this to get worse as I've already had some fusion and scarring and I'm pre-menaposal (45 years old). I'm with a wonderful supportive guy, so anything I can try, I'm going to give it a whirl! Will check in on CBD and gluten-free process as I experiment.
Replied By Te Ao Marie (New Zealand) on 06/08/2016
I have had this condition for years since I was a young girl - I was also a molested child and went on to become a raped teenager, I have been given every medical treatment under the sun and nothing has worked for me I am in my early fifties now. I have been experimenting with Kawakawa, batheing in it and T-tree oil both have been useful in soothing the area, my itch drives me crazy at night, . I see I need to change my diet, which am going to do right now, thats the sugar, wheat, gluten, dairy. I have only recently started using apple cider vinegar in my bath water, gosh this sight is a dream come true for me... thanks so much for this information.