education Archives

Oct

New 2026 Lichen Sclerosus Guidelines

Introduction If you've spent time in lichen sclerosus (LS) support groups, you've probably noticed that people receive very different advice about treatment. Some healthcare providers recommend long-term steroid use, while others tell patients to stop once their symptoms improve. Some recommend avoiding certain activities, while others encourage patients to continue living normally. And then there are newer procedures, such as lasers and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which are often marketed as alternatives to steroids. With so much conflicting information, how do we know what the research actually supports? In 2026, researchers published updated lichen sclerosus guidelines, building on the 2024 European recommendations and the earlier 2015 guidelines. These guidelines review available research and provide recommendations for treating LS, managing symptoms, and protecting skin health over time. There are some interesting updates, particularly around skincare, lifestyle recommendations, and newer treatments. However, some of the most important recommendations haven't changed at all. Let's…

Lichen Sclerosus Research Is Changing: New Treatments & What I Learned at ISSVD 2026

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Video, Videos

Lichen Sclerosus Research Is Changing: New Treatments & What I Learned at ISSVD 2026

Introduction If you’re not familiar with ISSVD, it’s the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, and this Congress brings together some of the clinicians and researchers working at the forefront of vulvar and vaginal health. And there was so much presented at ISSVD 2026 that I wanted to bring some of it back to you—but without making you sit through hours of scientific presentations or decipher research jargon. So in this video, I’m breaking down some of the research and conversations that stood out to me most as a patient advocate, in normal-person language, and focusing on what I think actually matters to patients. Some Important Notes Before We Dive In And yes, before we get started: this is a long one! If you've followed my work for any length of time, you probably know how passionate I am about vulvar-health research. After spending several days surrounded by…

Free Masterclass on Vulvar LS with Dr. Jill Krapf

Jan

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Free Masterclass on Vulvar LS with Dr. Jill Krapf

Introduction Happy New Year to all of our beautiful LS warriors! We wish you a year filled with answers, healing, and empowerment. January 17 is almost here, and you know what that means: Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Awareness Day. This global day highlights the condition and works to break the stigma around it. To mark the occasion, we’re starting 2026 with something deeply needed: open, evidence-based, and empowering education about vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). We’re hosting a free live screening of a Masterclass on Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus, led by Dr. Jill Krapf, one of the field’s leading experts, followed by a live Q&A. Register here. This event is free because everyone deserves access to high-quality medical education. VLS already creates enough barriers, and cost should not be one of them. Register or donate here. Replays are only available to registered users! Why a Masterclass with Dr. Jill Krapf? Dr. Krapf is…

A Message of Hope for Those Recently Diagnosed with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Jun

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

A Message of Hope for Those Recently Diagnosed with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Introduction to A Message of Hope for Recently Diagnosed with Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Are you recently diagnosed with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS)? Receiving a diagnosis of VLS can be a life-altering moment, one often filled with fear, confusion, and questions. Maybe you've been searching for answers for months or years, or maybe this came entirely out of the blue. No matter how you arrived here, please know this: you are not alone. At Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN), we understand how overwhelming those first steps can feel. That’s why we’ve created this message of hope—to offer information, comfort, community, and reassurance as you begin this journey. Whether you're feeling scared, numb, angry, or even relieved to have a name for your symptoms, everything you're feeling is valid—and we're here to help you navigate what comes next, one step at a time. Disclaimers *If this post is helpful to you, we'd…

Apr

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

LSSN at AAD: Our Conference Takeaways

Introduction We are growing, baby! And, as part of that growth, we are starting to attend medical conferences. This year, we kicked off 2025 by attending the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference in Orlando, Florida. We sent Executive Director, Kathy, and Chief Research and Provider Relations Officer, Jaclyn, to the 2025 AAD. We were highly requested to do a blog reporting on the event and what we learned, so let’s go! This blog details our time at the conference - from the people we met, presentations on vulvar lichen sclerosus, Global Skin and the Coalition of Skin Diseases meetings, and a trip to Tampa to meet a certain someone from our Medical Advisory Board. And with that, let’s dive into LSSN at AAD. Disclaimers *This post comes from Kathy and Jaclyn’s experience at the 2025 AAD and does not constitute medical advice. **If this post is helpful to you,…

Aug

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Does Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Smell

Introduction We at LSSN get a lot of questions, such as, “Does vulvar lichen sclerosus cause redness?” or “Can it cause perianal fissures?” Lately, we’ve been getting questions asking, “Does vulvar lichen sclerosus smell”? Some vulvovaginal conditions can have a distinct odor; thus, it’s not strange to wonder if vulvar lichen scleorsus (VLS) has a smell. Or perhaps you have a VLS diagnosis and noticed a new odor; you may wonder if this is from VLS or if something else is going on. If so, we got you! Keep on reading to learn more. Disclaimers *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about vulvar lichen sclerosus. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data. **The information contained in this blog post is up-to-date at the time of publication. ***If this post is helpful to you, we’d…