Any woman can develop Lichen Sclerosus. Don’t wait until it’s too late – We are here to help!
What Causes Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen Sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that can affect any part of the body, but most commonly affects the vulva (vaginal lips) and skin around the anus in women. Lichen Sclerosus can affect females from pre-pubescent to post-menopausal, and anyone in between. The cause of lichen sclerosus is unknown, however, it has been proposed to be an auto-immune condition (your own immune system attacking itself).
How Do I Know if I Have Lichen Sclerosus?
It is very common to be unaware of whether or not you have Lichen Sclerosus. Unfortunately, many gynecologists and primary care physicians do not know what this condition is or how to diagnose the condition. The average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is 2.5 years! If you have chronic itching, pain with intercourse and have repeatedly been told that you have a yeast infection, yet you do not respond to typical yeast treatment, there is a good chance you have Lichen Sclerosus.
You might notice a change in the appearance in the skin of your vulva or may start to experience some of the symptoms described below. Usually the skin appears “spotted or patchy white,” the skin can appear shiny. Over time the skin becomes thin with a “crinkled” appearance. You may also notice scarring around the lips of the vagina or over the clitoris. If you are noticing any of these changes or new symptoms, it is very important to see your gynecologist for an exam.
What it Treats
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort with sexual intercourse to severe itching, tearing and blistering of the skin, causing significant pain and decreased sensation. Over time, the lips of the vagina can become scarred and fused together.
Procedure Time
Actual procedure time 30 minutes or less (total office time approximately 90 min).
How is Lichen Sclerosus Diagnosed?
First, it is very important that you see your gynecologist if you are having new symptoms or suspect you may have lichen sclerosus. The diagnosis is often suspected by the appearance of the skin, however, a skin biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Women with lichen sclerosus are more likely to develop vulvar cancer, thus it is very important that your physician monitors the area and performs a biopsy on any changing/suspicious lesions. Furthermore, if you do not treat lichen sclerosus, the condition can continue to worsen, causing permanent scarring of the vulva and introits (entry to the vagina), which can make sexual intercourse extremely painful, if not impossible.
Even if you are not currently experiencing symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus, but have been diagnosed in the past, you want to seek treatment to prevent long term complications.
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Why Choose Us to Treat Your Lichen Sclerosus?
Amy Brenner, MD & Associates is truly a “one stop women’s shop.” We specialize in gynecology and gynecologic surgery, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and approaching women’s care from a holistic, functional, and natural approach. Not only are we able to provide Lichen Sclerosus treatment in Cincinnati, but we can also manage any other female concerns you may have. Please note: This treatment is a self-pay service and is not covered by insurance.
Lichen Sclerosus Treatment FAQs:
What Are the Treatment Options?
Until recently, the only effective treatment for Lichen Sclerosus was very strong topical steroids. These medications must be applied on a daily basis until the tissue improves, then decreased to several times a week for maintenance. Chronic steroid use can cause skin thinning and tearing, allergic reactions, and cause chronic yeast infections. Thankfully, a better treatment option is now available called PRP, or platelet rich plasma.
What is PRP and How Does It Treat Lichen Sclerosus?
A small amount of blood is drawn from your arm. Using a centrifuge, the platelets are isolated from the rest of the blood products to create platelet rich plasma, or PRP. The platelets are then “activated” to release at least eight growth factors that would normally be used to heal injured tissue. These growth factors work like magic to increase collagen, improve blood flow, and heal soft tissue. This technology has been used for over 10 years in wound healing and orthopedic surgery, and now is being utilized in healing the tissue impacted by Lichen Sclerosus.
What is Our Proprietary Treatment Protocol for Lichen Sclerosus?
Due to the large number of women who see us from all over the country to treat lichen sclerosus, we have developed a protocol to improve effectiveness of the therapy. Our proprietary protocol includes external Co2 laser, PRP injections, surgical release of scar/adhesive tissue (when indicated) and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.
For women with scarring of the labia or clitoris, our surgeons are able to release the scar tissue to restore normal anatomy. This procedure can be performed in the comfort of our AAASF accredited procedure room under IV sedation.
Many women with lichen sclerosus will benefit from Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy to improve blood flow to the genital tissue and to treat thinning of the vulvar and vaginal tissue related to aging.
Why Patients Love Us
Lichen Sclerosus
“Go see Dr. Amy! She can help you with lichens sclerosus! I was struggling without her treatments. She gave me my life back!”
-Anonymous.
HealthiHer™ Podcast
#41 Lichen Sclerosus Patient Experience
A special guest talks living with Lichen Sclerosus talks about the impact it has had on her stress levels and intimacy.
Continued…
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Videos
Treatment Options for Lichen Sclerosus
Benefits of the O-Shot
Your Health, Comfort, and Confidence Matter
If you’ve been struggling with discomfort, itching, or pain and haven’t found answers, our expert team at Amy Brenner MD & Associates is here to help. We specialize in diagnosing and treating Lichen Sclerosus with a holistic, compassionate approach so you can reclaim your comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
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