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Lichen Sclerosis

by Wendy
(Saskatoon, SK Canada)

I have Lichen Sclerosis. After doing some research I am convinced that is it from a hormonal imbalance.

There is not a lot known about LS. I ordered some of your cream and am hoping that it will help or even cure my LS. I read a previous letter from a woman who drank soy milk.....which is full of oestrogen......why is your progesterone different if it's made from soy?

Any advice about LS would be appreciated. Thanks.

Comments for Lichen Sclerosis

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Nov 14, 2011
 interested
by: Anonymous

I would be interested in Progesterone Therapy for lichen schlerosis also.
Nov 16, 2011
 Lichen Sclerosis
by: Wray

Hi Wendy LS could well be an hormonal issue. The cause is unknown, as you're probably aware, some think it could be genetic, some an autoimmune problem. It is more common in women, and more common after menopause, which makes me suspect a lack of progesterone, excess oestrogen. Higher levels of free testosterone have been found too. Treatments tried have been topical testosterone, which has shown no benefit, topical progesterone, a slight benefit, corticosteroids which seems the favoured treatment, photodynamic therapy see here. Plus phototherapy, ie UV light which ultimately makes vitamin D3, and calcitriol, which is a potent natural hormone derived from vitamin D3. Both phototherapy and calcitriol have shown remission of symptoms. Progesterone can help in some cases, but not hugely it seems, see here. Quite possibly the strength of cream used was insufficient, in the study above it was 2% progesterone. And if it was only used in the vulva region, far too little would have been applied. I recommend 100-200mg/day, it would be impossible to get this via a daily or twice daily vulva application. So please apply it at least twice a day to the vulva, and internally in the vagina. The remainder on other areas of the body. I also suggest you use the higher amount, ie 200mg/day if possible. Progesterone is an anti-inflammatory, so should give some relief. I also suspect a vitamin D deficiency, please have a test done. Most of us have far too low a level, and the older we get the less we absorb from the sun. Vitamin D affects every cell, it prevents hyperkeratosis and it's an anti-inflammatory. It's excellent for other skin problems. For more info on testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. And the minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. i've run out of space so will start a new comment below. Take care Wray
Nov 16, 2011
 Lichen Sclerosis
by: Wray

Hi Wendy The phototherapy and calcitriol treatments yielded remission of symptoms. Both these treatments require specialised personnel, but vitamin D is readily available and cheap. I would suggest taking a minimum of 5,000iu's per day, possibly 10,000iu's if you find your level low. I make a vitamin D skin cream which I've found very helpful for inflammatory skin problems. As an idea, you could get some vitamin D, open a capsule, add the contents to the progesterone cream, and rub that on. I would be interested to hear if it helps you. It certainly won't harm. This is another paper giving a general view and treatment options on Lichen sclerosus. One interesting fact, a lack of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone. Take care Wray
Sep 19, 2012
 LS therapy
by: Wendy

Hi Wray, I know about all of the LS treatments that you have mentioned. I have been taking VitD3 for years....but upped my dose to 10,000 over a year ago. 200 mg of Progesterone is alot....I will try it! I have only been using 1/2 tsp twice a day....I will up it to 1/2 tbsp twice a day. I know of two doctors, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, and another doctor in Italy who are having success treating LS with stem cell transplants. It's quite costly as you can imagine.....I'm hoping that eventually it will become standard treatment for LS and be available here in Canada where I live. Thanks for all your info! I will keep searching for treatments and information.
Take care, Wendy
Sep 20, 2012
 LS therapy
by: Wray

Hi Wendy I'm sure you must have looked at all the options! I'm pleased you've upped your vitamin D, but please have a test done to check your levels. It could be they are still not high enough. Any dis-ease uses up the vitamin D as quickly as it's made or taken. Incidentally most Canadians have very low levels, see here, here, here and here. Please let me know how you get on with the higher amount of progesterone. And if you do get a vitamin D test done, I'd be interested in hearing of the results. Take care Wray
Oct 06, 2013
 Progesterone and LS
by: Roz

Very interested to read about Progesterone as treatment for LS - I am just beginning to use it (as well as Clobetasol every other day. Any other experiences of this?
Oct 09, 2013
 Progesterone and LS
by: Wray

Hi Roz One other person has written in about LS, but I gave her the same info I gave Wendy. She hasn't come back to me with any results. Please have a vitamin D test done. Levels should be 70-100ng/ml, nearer the 100ng/ml mark would be better. Vitamin D is a potent anti-inflammatory, plus it stops hyperkeratosis. Take care Wray
Jan 08, 2015
 Ms.
by: Lucy

I have had LS for two years. I have had difficulty finding a Dr. for help. I have the steroid cream to use. It helped, but I don't want to use it long term.!

I did find SUCCESS by studying herbs. I mixed 1 oz of jojoba oil, added 10-15 drops of pure clove oil, rubbed it all over and under. It burns horribly at first, but not very long. As healing occurred burning was less. And I CKEARED UP!!
I have major flare ups & use the cream.But I use the clove oil every day.

Now I have developed some type of skin tag inside. I am going for a scan next week. I am low on Vitamin D and calcium, so I feel this is part of the problem. I was using hormone cream 2 x week with no progesterone, so that is something I need help with.

Thanks to all who write with ideas for help.
Sep 12, 2016
 Vit D
by: Wendy

My vit D levels are good!!
Came back at 92ng/ml.
I will order it again....and try 200 this time...how long would I keep it at this level?

Another comment for other LS sufferers...and boy do we suffer.....topical cannabis oil is supposed to work wonders for LS.......I know people in my support group who are using it where it is available from prescription. Here even though we have prescription Cannabis....there is no topical cannabis oil prescribed. :(
Apr 07, 2017
 Linchen sclerosus
by: Anonymous

Has anyone used cannibis ointment for linchen sclerosus?
Jul 13, 2017
 help
by: Al

Has anyone used cannibis ointment for linchen sclerosus?
Jul 14, 2017
 Help
by: Joy

Hi Al

That's an interesting question. Perhaps someone reading this will have some answers. Have you tried Natpro etc as mentioned in this thread?

If anyone has tried cannabis ointment for LS, please let us know.
Jan 16, 2018
 CBD oil
by: HJC

Hi all, I have been struggling with LS for 5 years. I have used the steroid ointment for the duration and I currently only use it when I feel itchy or cracking. I have also been on Depoprovera until August of last year 2017 when I had an IUD placed.

I have had no improvement or getting worse. It is sustained at the moment. I am at this moment thinking about trying CBD oils/capsules for other ailments but I would be interested to see what it would do for LS... anyone else tried this?
Sep 12, 2019
 Do Not Try CBD Oil-Estrogen Nightmare
by: Dawn L.

I have tried CBD Oil and it made me ill. The side effects were horrible-nausea, anxiety, light sleep patterns with weird dreams, water retention, racing heart, dizzy, lightheaded, severe anger and irritation and few others. It did stop my joint pain. Well, I just found out that CBD Oil is a phyto-estrogen. This crap will make women ill with highish estrogen levels and could/will make female problems way worse. I thought all this felt rather familiar- it's like the worst PMS you've ever had magnified to horrific levels.
Do not try - Do not buy.

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