Lichen Sclerosus: Any other women dealing with this disease?

Hi @willows - I just had (on 2/8/24) laser ablation surgery (using 'plasmajet technology') after a biopsy of 2 areas in January 2024 showed I have VIN II/III (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia), a pre-cancerous condition,

I was diagnosed with Lichen sclerosus (LS) about 40 years ago, and have been following it ever since, using Chlobetasol propionate 0.05% (in the past few years, as it was recommended over the previous testosterone cream).

I am scared/concerned, but at least feel better that I am being seen by a gynecologic oncologist referred by my also excellent OB/GYN in the UPMC (Pittsburgh PA) system.

I am doing MUCH reading on it, only on academic/professional/governmental (NIH) sites, as much as I can access them as I am not a medical professional. But here on MayoClinicConnect is where I have found - thank goodness! (for a lot of my health concerns!) MUCH helpful, respectful and well-moderated information.

If I can provide more info - from my own experience - please let me know. I am awaiting the results of the 4 ("punch") biopsies taken before the Dr. applied the laser ablation in the operating room last Thursday.

Fingers crossed! But even then, this latest iteration of the LS journey to pre-cancerous VIN must be followed every 6 months for 5 years, with at first 2 check-ins post-surgery - one in one week (with the Dr's PA) and one in 2 weeks after (with the GynOnc MD herself).

Even though it's a 100-mile roundtrip, since I've moved out of the immediate Pittsburgh area, it's worth it, as long as the travel experience is safe.

Best wishes for you...

After my research and finding a specialist in Abilene, TX. I am scheduled for my first, of three, laser treatments. There is no down time and it's said to be virtually painless. My insurance isn't accepted at this facility but it's worth it, in my opinion to at least give this a try. I'm hoping for a reversal in the damage that's been caused and most of all, NO MORE PAIN. I can't imagine what it's going to feel like to be my old self! *Thank you Lord!!

I have been recently diagnosed with LS. One big problem…. I can’t take steroids. Did the laser work?

Yes lazer treatments worked. And steroid treatments aren't taken orally. It's a cream and it helps so much.

Thank you for your prompt reply. I cannot take steroids orally or externally. So, if I may ask for clarification,
*do you have to do lazer treatments annually?
*or did the first treatments basically cure the LS and how many years has it been if so?
*did the lazer treatment reverse any anatomical damage? Or just stop it from
Progressing?
Thank you for answering. This is a stressful disease and I appreciate all the help I can get here.

The first of 3 Lazer treatments were 8 weeks apart. I have a little scarring but it's caused no issues. My treatments put my LS into remission for years. But, I had a flare-up recently and LS has spread. I hate that you can't use steroids because they squash the excessive itching.

Hi Brandy Sparks. Thank you for the information on your treatment. I have not had any further problems that require attention. I hope everything goes well for you. Please let me know how you are doing.

After lazer treatments, no steroids were needed until recently. If I'm not mistaken, I didn't have symptoms of LS for 5-6 years.