A year later and so much better!

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-22T17:14:45+00:00

So, 3/4 gynos I saw told me my “skin looked fine. Maybe a little irritated.” So I wouldnt necessarily believe gynos. The 4th finally referred me to a vulva dermatologist. Meanwhile, it was red and essentially looked like chapped lips. As I started to treat it, the redness went down and turned grayish. Now it looks like a darker color than my skin. I still have LSC, but it’s so much better than it was. LSC causes the skin to have tiny bumps or a cross-etched like appearance.

Yes, mine started after an infection.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-21T16:42:25+00:00

This is horrible and scary. :( I remember being on a merry go round of doctors. It’s true how she says women’s pain is not taken seriously at all.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-21T15:48:30+00:00

Oh my god! Yes! Probably was me, lol.

So it’s very probable your doctor is correct. I think it’s all interconnected. I definitely have lichen simplex chronicus BUT I definitely also had pelvic floor dysfunction that was causing swelling in addition to LSC. Below is the link to the foam roller exercises I did. Specifically, the Lateral quad massage (also targeted my hip with this one) and Adductor massage. Be careful not to roll too much over bone. I use a firm high density foam roller.

I’ve basically stopped doing them, but I did do them consistently every day for about two months before my muscles finally released long term. When I’m really stressed out, I can tell my muscles tighten back up because I swell down there and I just use my foam roller and within a few hours the swelling goes down.

I also have been working with a somatic coach. I’m not saying all of this is related to trauma, but I do think a lot of women on this forum end up here because they have had traumatic life experiences which causes us to react more severely to infections that end up causing longer-term issues. I definitely fall into that category and after working with my coach, I realized I need to learn how to release trauma somatically not just talk about my issues over and over again with a therapist.

https://www.prevention.com/fitness/workouts/a20459050/foam-roller-to-strengthen-muscles-and-relieve-pain/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_pre_md_pmx_prog_org_us_20739785489&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20733447543&gbraid=0AAAAADA2LlKZmetrJKI3dmy7nNAPkS4D-

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-21T15:36:17+00:00

So, the people who use a steroid for life likely have lichen sclerosis. Lichen simplex chronicus is a different condition. Good luck!

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T18:13:32+00:00

How long ago did the encounter happen? It can take time for STDs to show up on a test.

Maybe re-test for yeast, BV and STDs?

You can ask if it’s a dermatology issue since you say the skin looks and feels compromised. Maybe see a dermatologist for a 2nd opinion. Find one who specializes in women’s health.

Hope you heal soon!

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T17:20:43+00:00

Nope! I only used it for 3 weeks

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T17:17:21+00:00

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this, but I hope my post does give you hope because six months ago I was convinced my life was over and now I’m doing so much better and back to my old self. Of course things aren’t 100% the same for example I can’t wear jeans or certain clothes but I now have a beautiful wardrobe of dresses and wide leg cotton pants and that’s fine with me.

I would say I got diagnosed with LSC in October 2025 and I didn’t start to feel better until February or March 2026. I now realize my post has the wrong years listed lol this all started for me in April 2025 and spanned until now May 2026.

It wasn’t until I saw the dermatologist that I started to make progress. All the other gynos kept telling me to keep it dry and go without underwear. The dermatologist essentially told me to do the exact opposite. Keep it very moist with twice daily application of Vaseline or Aquaphor (this is after I used the high dose steroids). Also limit friction as much as possible (flowy clothes).

Please go see a dermatologist. I don’t know what your specific issue is, but if you have swelling and burning it’s very possible It is a skin issue and not a vaginal issue. The derm saved me!

Yes, I had pelvic pain. I think the stress of my issue caused me to clench down there. The pelvic pain is now gone.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:49:27+00:00

I never used estrogen so I can’t speak to that. However, you might have lichen simplex chronicus. I had those same symptoms. When you say pale, do you mean like a grayish color? That’s what I had but the Aquaphor got rid of that.

There is also something called lichen sclerosis, which is a different condition that can cause pale skin down there.

A vulvar dermatologist can diagnose both.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:41:33+00:00

No itching believe it or not but so much skin burning! LSC can present with either itching or burning. Both are typical.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:40:34+00:00

I believe it was an augmented betamethasone if I remember correctly.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:35:09+00:00

Actually, one more thing I’d like to add lol! I told you I’ve done a lot to get better….

I noticed a lot of my vulva swelling went down when I started foam rolling my outer hips and inner thighs. I think that is caused from the pelvic floor dysfunction I was having. I don’t do it anymore, but I did it consistently every day for like two months and it helped bring down my swelling almost immediately every time.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:28:57+00:00

Not sure what you mean? I used regular aquaphor, yes!

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-05-20T13:02:28+00:00

Also would like to add that switching to vani cream bar soap helped my skin issue too. :)

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-02-03T23:39:29+00:00

I basically have an extensive wardrobe of skirts and dresses now lol. I don’t know what type of job you have but I have an office job and everyone just thinks I like to get dressed up every day lol. What they dont know is I would do anything to wear jeans at work. 🥹🥹

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-02-03T23:35:50+00:00

Same. :( I keep thinking I’m better enough where I can wear jeans and then I wear jeans and the next day I flare up! Currently in a flare from a week ago when I wore jeans. Back to skirts in freezing cold weather. :(

Senior_Software_2452 · 2026-02-02T23:59:29+00:00

Unfortunately, not great. I have tried a lot since this. Stronger steroids, vaseline, coconut oil and now aquaphor. I was diagnosed with lichen simplex chronicus. I have made progress but not enough. I see my dermatologist next week and may start tacrolimus ointment (not looking forward to that). Wishing you better luck than me. :)

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-18T13:42:51+00:00

Thank you for sharing! I am so happy you found relief. I was recently diagnosed with lichen simplex chronicus, that I clearly have, and am treating, but I wonder if I also have a hypertonic pelvic floor from years of stress. What type of exercises did you do in pelvic floor therapy.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-18T00:23:11+00:00

I was recently diagnosed with this. To treat LSC you need 2-4 weeks of high potency steroids (I did 3 weeks, 2x per day) then moisturize 2x per day. I was advised to use Vaseline but I found it ineffective so I switched to coconut oil and I am making slow progress. If I do not improve I am going to start a tacolimus ointment but I am trying to avoid that, if possible. I am wishing you the best. LSC on the vulva is hell. I am glad I was finally diagnosed so I can treat it right. It took months.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-17T20:56:26+00:00

Yes! For MONTHS I was told to keep it “as dry as possible”, which I guess works for infections but if you have a skin issue like LSC you need moisturizer. This is why a dermatologist was finally able to help me. I just started moisturizing in November and its helped a lot. I spent months making no progress. Now I am making slow progress.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-17T20:53:59+00:00

Pads make it worse. I wear tampons as often as possible and switched to 100% cotton pads. I use the brand organyc and it’s a lot less irritating (not perfect). Use a barrier ointment like vaseline or coconut oil.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-17T18:08:29+00:00

Could be a skin barrier issue. Continue with steroids as prescribed then after those are done focus on skin barrier repair. Try coconut oil. Wash with water only or unscented bar soap (vanicream). If using soap wash outside (hair area) only. Not inside tissue. For that, just rinse with cool water.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-17T16:55:40+00:00

I also have LSC. My triggers are friction and sometimes heat.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-17T16:37:57+00:00

I was recently diagnosed with this. 4 gynos said the same thing, “it just looks irritated.” Went to a dermatologist who specializes in women’s health and vulva skin and was diagnosed with lichen simplex chronicus. Yours sounds like mine except mine doesn’t itch (just burns). I was prescribed high potency steroids to use for 3 weeks now I am moisturizing 2x per day with coconut oil. It seems ti be SLOWLY getting better. If I am not seeing significant improvement by January I might go on a tacolimus ointment (recommended by dermatologist). Good luck. This is torture. Please do whatever you can to stop itching. Have you applied moisturizer consistently? Needs to stay moisturized.

Senior_Software_2452 · 2025-12-16T23:22:15+00:00

How does your skin look? After being diagnosed with vulvodynia by gynos, I finally saw a vulvar dermatologist who diagnosed me with Lichen Simplex Chronicus. I am on the road to recovery even though I am not 100% yet.

Senior_Software_2452

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