I recently tried emu oil and emu-aid max and my episode ended much sooner than usual.

When I was first diagnosed I was both floored and happy because I finally had an explanation for what I’d been coping with for years thinking it was just my body being weird, or a bunch of different things going wrong. I asked so many questions when I started this journey. Now, it’s been a year and I’m symptom free 99% of the time, so I thought I’d share what worked for me.
1. Changing underwear. I stopped wearing anything remotely synthetic, but I can’t stop wearing underwear. So I went with modal cotton instead.
2. Using emuaid whenever I needed it. I can’t remember who recommended it to me…but I hope both sides of your pillow are always the perfect temp for your beautiful face!!
3. Changing my body wash. I actually switched all of my body products to this brand because I also have eczema and psoriasis, and holy cow has this made a difference all over my body. I previously used Aveeno products and this brand is so much better in my opinion.
4. A good water based lube. We tried a bunch and this is one that we keep coming back to. Because sometimes I’m 100% in, my lady bits are not.
5. We switched to a bidet and I use it exclusively with these baby washcloths to pay myself dry.

What didn’t change:
1. Laundry detergent. I already use a free and clear all or tide because of my other skin issues, so I didn’t feel this was necessary.
2. Sleeping naked. I already slept 100% naked and after reading a bunch of articles and posts it seems like that’s best.
3. I still have sex with my husband, he’s just more aware and cautious…and I’m a better communicator now when I feel like my skin is too tight or if I can tell I’m not as slick so that we use lube.

I hope this helps someone. ❤️

Went to OB today for my annual and we talked about my symptoms and my inkling of LS. When we did an exam she said it doesnt look like LS at all and she didnt think it was even worth a biopsy. I have patches around my clit, labia, perinium so I was confused by that. I have read not everyone with LS gets patches anyway?? I tear, i have lots of itchiness. My mom has LS and the doc said it can run in the family...so why are we blowing this off? The plan is to change my detergents, soaps, and use a fungal cream to try to treat this "itch and scratch flare" as she called it and see if it gets better. I just feel like she has sent me on a wild goose chase. We have a checkup in 3 months, if nothing changes can I just ask for a biopsy? Just beg her to humor me i guess.

Hey all, does anyone have any recommendations for an LS specialist anywhere in Virginia? Maybe in the Richmond, VA area? I need a second opinion and on the hunt lol.

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has been through something similar, especially anyone diagnosed with lichen sclerosus (LS) or lichen simplex chronicus (LSC), or who has seen a vulvar specialist in Canada.

In May 2025, I saw a doctor because I had a recurring tear near the vaginal entrance that would reopen almost every time I had intercourse. The doctor suspected lichen sclerosus and prescribed clobetasol (Clob) and vaginal estrogen. However, I got pregnant shortly afterward and was instructed not to use them, so I never started either treatment.

Interestingly, during pregnancy, I was doing perineal massages and the tearing completely stopped.

After giving birth vaginally, the gynecologist I saw through the public healthcare system prescribed clobetasol, without telling me how to use it or what areas to put it on??However, I wanted to wait until I could see a specialist, so I booked an appointment with a urogynecologist.

The urogynecologist felt that my symptoms were more consistent with lichen simplex chronicus rather than lichen sclerosus. She explained that she didn’t see the typical white patches associated with LS and didn’t think a biopsy would be useful. She also said she wouldn’t know which area to biopsy.

She prescribed a different topical steroid to apply to my labia majora (which isn’t usually where I have itchiness) and the sides of my perineum, as well as Imvexxy (vaginal estrogen). Since I’m breastfeeding, I told her I would prefer to wait until I’m done breastfeeding before starting the estrogen.

I went back for a follow-up because I was still experiencing itching, but she remained convinced that it wasn’t LS. She also explained that she wasn’t comfortable prescribing clobetasol because she was concerned it could cause more harm to healthy skin if LS wasn’t actually the issue.

I’m honestly feeling lost and increasingly anxious about this.

I’ve now had different gynecologists suspect lichen, while the urogynecologist, who has seen many cases, doesn’t believe I have LS. I understand that there can be overlap between these conditions, but I don’t know how to feel confident in the diagnosis when I’m still experiencing symptoms.

My current symptoms include:

Itching labia minora.
Itching around my anus, causing fissures.
A history of recurrent tearing at the vaginal entrance during intercourse.
Changes in the appearance of my vulvar anatomy since giving birth, although I’m not sure what is normal postpartum change versus something related to a skin condition.

I’ve been dealing with this for almost three years, and I’m exhausted by it and it’s causing me to be majorly depressed and scared to have intercourse with my husband. My biggest fear is that I actually have LS and that delaying appropriate treatment could allow it to progress and cause permanent architectural changes.

For anyone who has been in a similar situation:

-Has anyone been told they likely have LSC rather than LS, only to later receive an LS diagnosis, or vice versa?
-Can you have LS without the typical white patches?
-Has anyone had a specialist recommend against a biopsy because they couldn’t identify an appropriate area to sample?
-Would you seek a second opinion from a dermatologist who specializes in vulvar skin conditions, or another vulvar specialist?
Can anyone recommend a good vulvar specialist in Canada, ideally in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada if necessary?