Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: With Expert Dr. Kalyani Marathe

Introduction This is the conversation every parent, provider, and advocate needs to hear. Pediatric vulvar lichen sclerosus is a condition that’s often misunderstood, overlooked, or misdiagnosed — but today, we’re breaking it wide open. From understanding how pediatric cases differ from those of adults, to compassionate examination approaches, effective treatments, and adapting care for families in real-world circumstances, you will walk away informed, confident, and empowered. We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Kalyani Marathe, MD, MPH, an absolute leader in pediatric dermatology. Kalyani Marathe, MD, MPH, is a pediatric dermatologist and Division Director of Dermatology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics affiliated with the University of Cincinnati. She has a monthly multidisciplinary vulvar dermatology clinic, co-led by a pediatric gynecologist, Dr. Christine Pennesi. Her academic interests include pediatric vulvar disease, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, genetic skin disorders, birthmarks, hemangiomas, drug eruptions, and infections…
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LSSN at AAD: Our Conference Takeaways

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,…
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Does Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Have a Cure?

Does Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus Have a Cure?

Introduction Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic skin condition that affects many individuals, often leading to distressing symptoms and complications. For those navigating this diagnosis, the search for effective treatment options and a potential cure can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we aim to provide evidence-based insights into the current understanding of VLS, drawing from the latest medical literature to clarify the treatment landscape and the concept of a cure. It’s important to note that while we explore these complex topics, our discussion is rooted in scientific interpretation and may evolve as new research emerges. We’ll begin by defining key terms like treatment, primary treatment, adjunct therapy, and cure. We then address the question of "Does VLS have a cure", and important calls to action. As you read through this post, we encourage you to consider how you can contribute to this important cause—whether through donations, volunteering, or…
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Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Herpes: What You Need to Know

Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus and Herpes: What You Need to Know

Introduction We all know misdiagnosis is a common theme in the vulvar lichen sclerosus community. Many of us experience multiple misdiagnoses before finally getting the correct one. A common misdiagnosis that folks receive is genital herpes. In this post, we will review what you need to know about vulvar lichen sclerosus and herpes. We share what herpes is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and why some people get misdiagnosed with herpes when it is really vulvar lichen sclerosus. We share a word of caution about herpes diagnoses and share how to treat and manage symptoms if you have both vulvar lichen sclerosus and genital herpes. Disclaimers *This post is evidence-based; I draw on the medical literature to share what you need to know about vulvar lichen sclerosus and herpes. Importantly, what I share is my interpretation of the science and data. **If this post is helpful to you, we'd…
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Clobetasol Isn’t Working for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus…Now What?

Clobetasol Isn’t Working for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus…Now What?

Introduction We commonly get emails with the subject line reading, “Clobetasol isn’t working for lichen sclerosus…now what?” And we get it; we’ve been there too. But we want you to know there are options. In this post, we review what Clobetasol is and how long it takes to work. This section is particularly important because sometimes folks do not use Clobetasol long enough to see results because they did not receive adequate education on their medication. After, we review important questions and things to explore with your healthcare provider. We share a number of alternatives to Clobetasol, both steroidal and non-steroidal, and provide advice for approaching your doctor about changing your treatment plan. Finally, we review refractory vulvar lichen sclerosus and three options to help.  One of the scariest things with a chronic condition is feeling like you don’t have any options. This can feel hopeless and bleak. We hope…
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Missed Opportunities and Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Missed Opportunities and Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus

Introduction In today's video, Dr. Sophie Rees and I discuss her research on missed opportunities and vulvar lichen sclerosus, focusing on instances where healthcare providers missed opportunities for better care in diagnosing VLS. Sophie Rees is a medical sociologist and applied health researcher whose main research interests are vulval disease, especially LS, based at the University of Bristol in the UK. She was Chief Investigator of a mixed methods study called ‘Living with Lichen Sclerosus’ that explored the experience of people with LS using interviews, focus groups, and a survey. She produced a short film based on the interview findings, which is aimed at healthcare professionals to help them understand what it is like to live with LS. Follow Dr. Rees on Instagram and Twitter as @drsophierees Be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more educational LS content. If this video was helpful to you,…
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