I was recently told I have probable LS. I had rectal cancer diagnosis that was treated as anal cancer in November 2019. Chemo and radiation therapy has gotten me cancer free now. The radiation side effects were severe burns that cleared up after about 6 weeks and scarring of my vagina, atrophy in that area, and scarring of my cervix. After treatments for the cancer, I did have itching in the perianal area and thin skin caused bleeding there as well. My first pap smear after all the cancer treatments wasn't until mid 2024, and that is when is was discovered that my cervix was so scarred I needed to go to a gynecologist to get an acceptable pap smear. It was at the gynocology appointment that I brought up my continued itching in the perineum area and newly started itching of my genital area. I was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus by its appearance, and was prescribed colbetasol for the affected area. This cleared up my vulva itching, and helped with the area between my vagina and anus that was much improved but not gone. I have been getting sores that will bleed at times and less intense itching now. At my recent gynocology visit, my doctor did a much biopsy of the perineal area in order to confirm LS, so I am waiting on that. Needed another pap test as last year's test was positive for hpv but not 16 or 18. There are other strains that are high risk but not the highest that 16 and 18 are. Hopefully the pap comes back clean meaning my body cleared it on its own. The cancer I has was hpv related, so my gynecologist decided to do the biopsy to have an accurate diagnosis of my condition and rule out any concerns that it could be cancer. I never dreamed in a million years that I'd be dealing with all these problems in my private area. Its been frustrating, and I'm happy to see there's a support group here for this condition. This is my first post as I just joined the group, and I am looking forward to reading and learning from what you all have been through and posted. Its a hard subject to discuss with friends and family that haven't had these problems.