Lichen sclerosus is painful and is often associated with feelings of embarrassment, shame, overwhelm, anxiety, and more.
Because of these negative feelings, many women do not want to talk about their situation and often suffer in silence.
Conventional treatment is limited, often only involving topical corticosteroids which are not recommended longterm due to side effects. As such, practitioners and patients are left hopeless.
Naturopathic treatment can provide an alternative approach to broaden the scope of treatment for lichen sclerosus.
What is lichen sclerosus?
Lichen sclerosus is a longterm inflammatory skin condition that causes thinning and scarring of the skin. It is not known why, but lichen sclerosus often affects the genitals and anal region.
Ongoing inflammation and thinning of the skin can lead to fissures and bruising, causing irritation, vaginal itching, and pain.
What does conventional treatment for lichen sclerosus entail?
As mentioned above, conventional treatment for lichen sclerosus often involves topical corticosteroids to help with inflammation locally.
However, longterm use of topical corticosteroids is not recommended because it can lead to side effects such as thinning of the skin, which you do not want more of in lichen sclerosus.
In addition, because topical corticosteroids only treat the area affected and not internally, flareups can occur when stopping treatment.
What does lichen sclerosus natural remedies entail?
Dr. Kathy Nguyen is a Naturopathic Doctor in the GTA Toronto Etobicoke region with a focus in female hormone health. Her strategy starts with assessing female hormones to help guide treatment.
Hormonal imbalances, such as estrogen deficiencies have been seen in various vaginal skin conditions. In addition, thyroid hormones and stress hormone imbalances can also contribute to inflammation in the body.
Thus, natural treatment for lichen sclerosus begins with a thorough assessment of female hormones, thyroid hormones, and stress hormones to address underlying hormone imbalances.
Research also suggests that there may be an autoimmune component to lichen sclerosus and ongoing mast cell activation, meaning that the body is attacking itself and creating inflammation.
Treatment for lichen sclerosus also involves addressing inflammation topically and internally, as well as addressing the autoimmune component. In other words, we need to control the body so that it is not attacking itself and creating more inflammation.
Gut health also plays a pivotal role in chronic inflammation in the body. We also have to consider food sensitivities that may be contributing to inflammation and autoimmunity in the body. Removing these food triggers can further help us manage lichen sclerosus.
RECAP Lichen sclerosus natural remedies:
Assess hormonal imbalances to help guide treatment in terms of selecting the appropriate supplements and herbal treatments to support hormones.
Address inflammation and immune response. Natural anti-inflammatories may include high dose fish oil, curcumin, and/or quercetin.
Remove food triggers that can contribute to inflammation and autoimmunity e.g. casein found in dairy.