In this blog, a Comfortable In My Skin friend shares her anonymous story about being diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosus.

One day, I happened to look down when I was in the toilet and noticed that I had some skin discolouration on my vulva. It was so strange. I looked down further and noticed white patches from my clit area down to my vagina. I'd never noticed that before, and I immediately freaked out, thinking something was wrong and that I had an STD or something!

I was in a long-term committed relationship, so I was puzzled. I booked in to see a GP immediately, and she said, "Oh, you have Lichen Sclerosus (LS), nothing to worry about. I'll prescribe you some steroid cream to apply and you'll be fine."

I'd never heard of this before and was honestly really scared, especially because I was terrified to tell my partner and felt he would judge me. I spent all night Googling about it and found out it wasn't contagious at all or even an STD my partner couldn't catch it from me. It was just a condition I had and would make me unique really. I was still scared, and honestly, I never told him about it, or anyone for that matter. I applied the topical cream, but the white patches never went away; they stayed, and instead, I'd occasionally get skin tears.

When I was really stressed, these would appear more often and have a flare-up. I wouldn't engage in sexual activity during these times because I was embarrassed, but also, it would be sore and sensitive around the tears. I'd make up excuses as to why I didn't want to be sexual. 

It's been years now since I was first diagnosed, and I don't feel any more knowledgeable about it. I recently went to the doctor because I felt like it was getting worse. She looked at me and said, “You’re too young to have Lichen sclerosus!” But, after looking at my vulva, she agreed my original diagnosis was accurate and suggested a different steroid cream.

I haven't gone back to a doctor about it; I'm still too nervous and embarrassed. Since being out of a relationship, I haven't engaged in any other sexual activity. It weighs on my confidence a lot. But now that I'm talking about this more, doing more research, and finding a doctor I am comfortable with, I hope to eventually accept this is how I am, and there is nothing wrong with me. 

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