Blogs Archives

LSSN End-of-Year Wrap-Up and Hope for the Future

Nov

LSSN End-of-Year Wrap-Up and Hope for the Future

Introduction I can’t believe I’m saying this, but 2023 is moving quickly towards a close. With that, we at LSSN wanted to do a little end-of-year reflection on this past year and offer some hope for the future. We will review some of the key events and milestones from LSSN, as well as exciting LS research that came out and what to look out for from us in 2024. First Up, Some Gratitude First of all, we want to extend a tremendous and heartfelt thank you to our beautiful LS community. We appreciate all that you do to spread the word about us, telling your doctors about LSSN, liking and sharing our content, and donating. Kathy and I have the special honor of knowing many of you through the LSSN’s free bi-weekly virtual meetups. Kathy and I have been at it for a long time, with the first meetup in…

Lisa’s Lichen Sclerosus Pregnancy Journey

Nov

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Lisa’s Lichen Sclerosus Pregnancy Journey

Introduction Many folks have questions about lichen sclerosus and pregnancy. We address the science behind lichen sclerosus and pregnancy here. However, we want to address this from a more lived experience perspective today. A while back, I opened a call on my Instagram page for folks who were willing to share their pregnancy and lichen sclerosus experience. Today, I’m sharing Lisa’s LS and pregnancy journey to help raise more awareness about LS and pregnancy. Lisa and I met for a virtual call to chat about her experience. What follows is my re-telling of her journey. Lisa’s first pregnancy Lisa had had LS symptoms since she was a little girl. However, back then, the doctors were clueless as to why she was always itchy and uncomfortable. Consequently, she had to just kind of live with these symptoms. By the time she got pregnant at 25, she was symptomatic but still did…

Laser Therapy for Lichen Sclerosus: Experimental Treatment Series

Oct

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Laser Therapy for Lichen Sclerosus: Experimental Treatment Series

Introduction Experimental treatments show promise in managing a condition but have not been thoroughly evaluated for efficacy, safety, and acceptability. Think of it like a non-approved treatment option; it may or may not work. In the context of lichen sclerosus, when discussing experimental treatment options, I mean interventions, medications, or procedures that have not yet shown to be fully effective as a treatment but show promise in helping with symptom management. In our last post, I discussed platelet-rich plasma as an experimental treatment for lichen sclerosus. Today, we continue the experimental treatment series by looking at laser therapy for lichen sclerosus. We often get questions about laser therapy for lichen sclerosus. For example, folks ask, "Someone on a forum mentioned they got laser therapy for lichen sclerosus; what is laser therapy anyway?" or "Is laser therapy an effective treatment for lichen sclerosus?". Another question I hear is, "Why has my…

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Lichen Sclerosus: Experimental Treatment Series

Oct

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Platelet-Rich Plasma for Lichen Sclerosus: Experimental Treatment Series

Introduction Experimental treatments show promise in managing a condition but have yet to be thoroughly evaluated for efficacy, safety, and acceptability. Think of it like a non-approved treatment option; it may or may not work. In the context of lichen sclerosus, when discussing experimental treatment options, I mean interventions, medications, or procedures that have not yet shown to be fully effective as a treatment but show promise in helping with symptom management. Some of these experimental treatments include platelet-rich plasma for vulvar lichen sclerosus, laser, and phototherapy. I often get asked about platelet-rich plasma for lichen sclerosus. For example, folks ask, “Someone on a forum mentioned platelet-rich plasma; what is this?” or “Is platelet-rich plasma an effective treatment for lichen sclerosus?”. In today’s post, I will take a deep dive into platelet-rich plasma by addressing what it is, what the procedure involves, and what the science says for vulvar lichen…

Sep

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Clothing and Lichen Sclerosus

Introduction Lichen sclerosus can impact many aspects of our lives. For example, it can influence our relationship with ourselves, our relationships with others, our mental health, our sexual health, and even our clothing. Yes, lichen sclerosus and clothing can be a big deal for many folks. While it may seem simple, clothing and lichen sclerosus can affect our mental health (in addition to exacerbating symptoms). I will do another blog on the mental health impact of clothing and LS in early 2024; stay tuned. For today's post, I take a more practical approach to clothing and lichen sclerosus by addressing the questions, "What clothing is recommended for lichen sclerosus," "What clothing should I wear in a flare," and "Will I ever be able to wear my old pants again"? *I have no affiliate links in this post. Any brand I mention is either just one I like or one I…

LSSN Mini Summit on Vulvovaginal Conditions

Sep

By Kathy

Kathy Blog, Kathy Video

LSSN Mini Summit on Vulvovaginal Conditions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPT8xf6F7U As we all know, education is foundational to health. If we don’t know about our bodies and vulvovaginal conditions, it’s difficult to take care of them. LSSN exists to empower people with LS through evidence-based information and support. And this year, we’re bringing you even more opportunities to access information and experts in the field. For the first time, LSSN is hosting a mini-summit! The LSSN Mini Summit: Vulvovaginal Conditions is a 3-day virtual event that will provide you with the information and support you need to take control of your vulvar health. It will take place Friday, September 29, through Sunday, October 1, 2023. You'll learn from leading experts about vulvovaginal conditions rarely discussed, including Lichen Sclerosus. Other conditions include: Hidradenitis Suppurativa Persistent Pelvic Nerve Pain Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Lichen Simplex Chronicus Overactive Pelvic Floor Muscles. You'll also be able to connect with…

Underwear and Lichen Sclerosus: What Kind is Best

Sep

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Underwear and Lichen Sclerosus: What Kind is Best

Introduction Underwear and lichen sclerosus is a topic we get asked a lot about at Lichen Sclerosus Support Network. Folks have questions like: "What should I look for in underwear," "Are there certain kinds of underwear that aggravate lichen sclerosus symptoms" and "What is the best kind of underwear for lichen sclerosus?" These are lifestyle questions seldom addressed at the doctor's office, so today, we will chat about underwear and lichen sclerosus. In today's post, I will discuss how underwear can sometimes make lichen sclerosus worse, answer the question "What is the best type of underwear for lichen sclerosus," and then review different underwear options for you to explore. *I have no affiliate links in this post. Any brand I mention is either just one I like or one I have heard others recommend. I get no commission if you purchase from any of these links. How Underwear Can *Sometimes*…

Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Versus Adjunct Therapy

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Versus Adjunct Therapy

Introduction We are switching gears a little for today. This post will discuss the difference between treatment and adjunct therapies and what this means for your lichen sclerosus journey. This is an opinion piece. You are welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section at the end. I learn so much from this beautiful community, and you never stop teaching me; I am grateful for that. Defining Treatment, Adjunct Therapy, and Cure First of all, let us define some key terms: Treatment: The definition of treatment is, "Medical treatment means the management and care of a patient to combat condition or disorder" (University of Wisconsin). Treatment can either manage a condition or cure the condition. Primary Treatment: A primary treatment is the main treatment used to manage or cure a condition. It is often the one that has the most scientific evidence behind it and the best success rate. Adjunct Therapy: According…

A Look at Acceptance and Resilience. What Does It Mean?

Aug

By Kathy

Kathy Blog

A Look at Acceptance and Resilience. What Does It Mean?

Listen to the podcast here: Introduction And Excited Announcements Hey, and welcome! I’m so glad you are here to join a round table discussion about the concepts of acceptance and resilience we had live with some members of the LSSN membership. The concepts of acceptance and resilience are critical to living with a condition such as Lichen Sclerosus. In this discussion, I asked our participants a series of questions relating to these concepts and Lichen Sclerosus. If you want to join future discussions? Click the button below. Sign Up What is your definition of acceptance and resilience? What do those words mean to you, specifically concerning your Lichen Sclerosus? Jen: I think of the concept of acceptance as being able to admit that you have a condition/disease without simultaneously giving up/throwing in the towel. Acceptance for me means my Lichen Sclerosus is a part of me, but it is not…

Lichen Planus or Lichen Sclerosus? Can You Have Both?

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Lichen Planus or Lichen Sclerosus? Can You Have Both?

Introduction We have a series of posts looking at lichen sclerosus and other vulvovaginal conditions. For example, we have lichen sclerosus and menopause and lichen sclerosus, and lichen simplex chronicus. We do these posts to promote vulvovaginal education and because some folks have lichen sclerosus and other conditions. Further, many folks find the overlap of symptoms confusing and hard to navigate. In this post, we continue this series and will look at lichen planus and lichen sclerosus. If you are curious about the difference between lichen sclerosus and lichen planus, want to know what to look out for, and wonder if you can have both lichen sclerosus and lichen planus, this post is for you! *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about lichen planus and lichen sclerosus. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data. Always…