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Letter of the Month for February 2007

I was eventually diagnosed with lichen sclerosis about 2 1/2 years ago after suffering intermittent intense itching and pain on passing
urine. It is a relief to know what the condition is (always believed
it to be thrush) and to read the comments of fellow sufferers. The worst episode happened during the night when I woke up scratching myself
so much that I bled and my skin felt in tatters. After visiting my
GP, with an eventual referral to a gynaecologist I was diagnosed and was prescribed Dermovate cream and use it whenever I have a flareup of the
itching and stinging pain. Often this stings quite badly when I use
it during a flare up and I am concerned about using this longterm.

I find intercourse extremely painful and have abstained for the best
part of 2 years. I am 59 and my husband is 68 and although sex is
not the be all and end all of our marriage, I feel very guilty as any time we attempt to have sex I tense up and withdraw physically and
emotionally from him as I know there is going to be extreme pain. I
feel as though the skin between my vagina and back passage is about to be ripped - very similar to the pain during an episiotomy in
childbirth.

I am very fortunate in that my husband is understanding about how I feel. "So he should" I hear you say, but I still feel guilty that I
don't appear to be "doing something about it". The fact is I am only
too aware how painful the examinations are and having had quite a few now with no change in the pattern of the condition, I tend to shy away from seeking further medical help and use aqueous cream, cotton pants
etc when I am having a flare up.

Replies

I notice that you are using Dermovate in cream form and that it causes stinging. Dermovate cream contains preservatives that can cause skin irritation. I had this problem and I went to see my doctor again and was given Dermovate in ointment form and find this much better. I understand how you feel about seeking further medical help as doctors do not always understand how difficult it is for us to talk to them. It is difficult to know if the pain is caused by the lichen sclerosus or perhaps another reason. I had two things going on at the same time that needed different treatments, lichen sclerosus and vestibulitis. I hope you will find the courage to go and try to get more help for your discomfort. UK sufferer.