Sure. My cysts come and go; I have one that lingers and changes sizes. They can be painful if irritated by my clothing or when they swell up, but it sounds like not as painful as yours.

My gynecologist did tell me cysts like the one I have that lingers is common and can be a response to any kind of “trauma” to the skin. She said there’s not much she knows of that I could do except have it removed, but I decided to observe it to see if it improved, which it did. I’m going to have my dermatologist look at it.

So this sounds similar to what your physician said.

The thing is it’s hard to tell if it is or isn’t caused by steroids. For the fluid-filled type of cyst I just described that I have, I don’t thinks that’s associated with steroids. I thought that acne-like lesions are more associated with steroids and even then it’s more with oral steroids than topicals (I know this because my dad is on long term oral steroids for a different condition).

Even if they are or aren’t related to the steroids or the LS, clearly they’re very painful for you. Were they able to recommend anything to help you with the pain, or do you think it would be better to talk to a dermatologist with experience in vulvar skin conditions? I can understand how it would be frustrating if they’re just saying: “It’s not this thing or the other and usually it’s not painful.” Except you’re you, and they are painful!