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Lichen sclerosis diagnosis correct?
Hi, new to the site. I have had vaginal/perianal burning for 6 months.
Culture all negative. Burning comes and go. Redness only. No itching at all. Biopsy finally done showed only “mild” sclerosis.
Told to start on Clobetasol. It’s been a week. It’s making my burning worse. Before the drug the burning was at a 3, now it’s at an 8. To a point I need to wash it off after 30 minutes.
I have no other skin changes. No white patches at all. You would think there would be some other skin changes after 6 months. No itching what so ever.
Does anyone have similar experience? How common is sclerosis without white patches or itching? Is the ointment making me worse?
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HI - I have had lichens for years - never found anything that would help - clobetosal, etc. I have been using a salve from 'Medicine Mama' - either online, target, ulta - great stuff. Really calmed everything down and no more itching.
I hope it helps you.
JT
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2 Reactions@baa11021956
So glad you found something - I did as well - the salve from 'Medicine Mama' - it has been a life changer for me!
Good luck to you!
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2 Reactions@jville42 glad you found something for relief as well. Game changer
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2 ReactionsI have read a lot at multiple discussions here by Mayo Clinic on lichen sclerosis. I want to thank everyone for posting and mayo for hosting these forums! I have been on quite a long flare up and it can be downright depressing at times and this has helped.
I was diagnosed at an urgent-care clinic when my gyn wouldn’t see me for my extreme itch. That was March 2016. This GYN doctor prescribed Clobetasol and recommended Estrace for vaginal atrophy, which explained the dryness & discomfort I was also experiencing, especially during sex. All was good but that doctor left the practice in 2018 and I was given another. My condition was fine for a while with off and on clobetasol, then started worsening in 2024.
I felt I needed someone with more experience so I got a referral to my current GYN Sept 2025. He was a big change. Thorough exams and very compassionate. He was the first to mention the white patches. He also said I needed to be checked every 6 months due to potential cancers with this condition. He put me on a 3 month regimen of clobetasol, eventually tapering off. Then he did a colposcopy. I was good, but not for long…which is why I’m here! I read about a laser treatment and was following that up. Several people have posted about it and I’m going to speak with my doctor.
I also have had some help with Vaseline for dryness, but will try other products mentioned. What has helped me when I have succumbed to the itch (yes, l admit it) and stupidly caused pain is “A & D First Aid multipurpose ointment”.
I will post on any new developments. Here’s to healing everyone ❤️
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1 ReactionFirst, I'm so sorry this is apart of your journey!!! I have systemic lichen planus, mucosal variant so I understand the struggle. I've been seeing Dr. Sarah Corley at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC. She's a dermatologist & vulva specialist - she has been a life changer for me! Like you, I couldn't tolerate clobetasol, but she changed me to halobetasol 0.05% which I can tolerate & I've found it to be very helpful!
Good Luck!
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