education Archives

Unraveling the Hormone and Microbiome Puzzle in Lichen Sclerosus

Mar

Unraveling the Hormone and Microbiome Puzzle in Lichen Sclerosus

Hey friend! I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Melissa Mauskar, a true rockstar in the world of vulvar health research. She illuminated some fascinating new findings about the hormone and microbiome landscapes in lichen sclerosus. I walked away feeling so hopeful about how this work might improve patient care down the road! 🙌 Dr. Mauskar broke down the key takeaways in an accessible way - no need for a medical degree to follow along! Whether you have lichen sclerosus yourself or treat patients, I think you'll find this chat insightful. A few highlights that caught my ear: The role of progesterone and other hormones in LS skin How treatment impacts microbiome diversity Exciting areas for future research. Dr. Mauskar's passion for patient-centered care and collaboration across specialties to move the needle is inspiring. She helped me understand how this study into hormones and the vulvar microbiome in…

Expiry Dates and Lichen Sclerosus Medication

Jan

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Expiry Dates and Lichen Sclerosus Medication

Introduction Treatments get a lot of discussion here at Lichen Sclerosus Support Network, at the doctor’s office, and in the scientific literature. And rightly so! Treatment is a very important topic. Often, discussions about treatment center around the proper application, side effects (risks versus benefits), and the science behind them. One thing that gets a lot less attention (and discussion) is expiry dates and lichen sclerosus medication. Expiry dates are important when using medications for lichen sclerosus, so today, we are going to chat about all things lichen sclerosus medication and expiry dates. Do expiry dates matter? Can you go past the expiry date? How to check your expiry date? These are all questions we will address in today’s post. Our philosophy here at Lichen Sclerosus Support Network is always to present the evidence and/or what the experts are saying so you can make informed decisions about your body and…

Jan

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Phototherapy for Lichen Sclerosus

Introduction Topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors are the two main approved treatments insofar as evidence-based medicine is concerned. However, some more experimental therapies are out there, such as laser, platelet-rich plasma, and phototherapy. We have discussed ablative and non-ablative lasers, as well as platelet-rich plasma. Today, as part of our experimental treatment series, we will be discussing phototherapy for lichen sclerosus. We will answer questions like what phototherapy is, who performs it, what to expect, and what the science says about it. Our philosophy here at Lichen Sclerosus Support Network is always to present the evidence and/or what the experts are saying so you can make informed decisions about your body and healthcare plan. Disclaimers *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about phototherapy for lichen sclerosus. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data.…

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…

Vulva Awareness and Appreciation with Jaclyn & Penny

Apr

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Video, Videos

Vulva Awareness and Appreciation with Jaclyn & Penny

National Vulva Awareness Day 2023 Why do we Have an Event for Vulvar Awareness and Appreciation Did you know 8 out of 10 folks with vulvas do not know all the names of their anatomy or what part does what? Yes, we have a major lack of vulvar awareness out there. Vulvar health is in trouble because of stigma and lack of awareness and education, and we want to turn that around! April 21st is National Vulva Awareness Day! National Vulva Awareness Day was created in 2022 by our dear friends and allies to the lichen sclerosus community, SweetSpot Labs, to bring awareness to a part of the body that is often overlooked and to break the stigma around the vulva. This year, we at Lichen Sclerosus Support Network wanted to hold an event on this special day to raise awareness and cultivate some vulva appreciation and love. Introduction In…

Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Series: Calcineurin Inhibitors

Apr

By Jaclyn Lanthier

Jaclyn Blog

Lichen Sclerosus Treatment Series: Calcineurin Inhibitors

Introduction We are continuing our lichen sclerosus treatment series today by looking at topical calcineurin inhibitors. In previous posts, I discussed topical corticosteroids and their associated side effects. Be sure to check out those posts first! In today's post, you will learn: What topical calcineurin inhibitors (calcineurin inhibitors or TCIs for short) are How calcineurin inhibitors work Their side effects and risks And so much more! *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about calcineurin inhibitors and lichen sclerosus. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data. What the Heck are Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs)? TCIs are topical, non-steroidal immunosuppressant medications. Topical means the medicine is applied directly to the body in a cream or ointment base instead of taking an oral medication. An immunosuppressant medication works to keep your immune system functioning optimally. For example, these medications can…