Some women suffer with irritation consisting of dryness, chafing and itching intermittently for years thinking that it’s a mild yeast infection or sensitivity to irritants in the products that touch the vulvar tissues when in fact it’s not. Instead an vulvar condition called Lichen Sclerosus can elude doctors during it’s early stages for years causing these symptoms. Changes in the skin start out as subtle wrinking, shinyness and stickyness of the skin. As it progresses, the tissues lying adjacent to each other such as the periclitoral tissues, the interlabial folds and the base of the vagina can fuse together causing linear fusion lines. If pulled apart these fused areas can crack open causing small paper-cut fissures which brings a new symptom of burning & stinging. Also the tissues surrounding the vaginal opening can turn slightly blanched-white. This can include the peri-anal area. The whitening can be splotchy or smooth with symmetric bilateral outlines. Many doctors including gynecologists can entirely overlook the early signs of the condition. Consider the plight of the patient below:

“I was diagnosed by Dr. Fowler 3 1/2 months ago with Lichen Sclerosis. I had seen 5-10 doctors trying to figure out how to help me with the symptoms I was having, and get a diagnosis. I was so frustrated and felt like nothing was going to help me relieve my symptoms. After seeing Dr. Fowler, he helped me know exactly what I needed to do to improve, and answers came! I started feeling better quickly and learned how to manage my symptoms feeling like I can lead a normal life again! Overall I'm 80% better at this point." J. Sahuarita, AZ

Even when general gynecologists make the correct diagnosis, commonly they prescribe superpotent corticosteriods on an intermittent basis. While suprapotent corticosteriods have their role, using them each time the condition flares is not the best way to effectively mamage the condition. Lichen Sclerosus belongs to the family of dermatoses. Other conditions in this diagnostic category which are better known include ezcema, psoriasis, and seborrhea or dandruff. These conditions are chronic meaning they cannot be cured so they must be managed on an on-going basis. Its best to get the condition suppressed then continue a maintainence cream to keep it in check. Another common mistake that even gynecologists make is that they tell patient that it requires a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This could not be farther from the truth. The only time a biopsy is necessary is to exclude the possibility for precancer or cancerous transformation. Whenever there is thickening known as leukoplakia then this site warrants biopsy. To learn more about Lichen Sclerosus, contact Fowler Gyn International (FGI). They have developed effective treatment protocols for Lichen Sclerosus which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more.

Feeling like you are getting no where for the treatment of vulvodynia? Consider the five years of frustration by the patient below. Can you relate?

Five years ago, I was first diagnosed with BV. Little did I know that it would be a long, painful, and extremely frustrating journey that disrupted my physical and sexual well being. I was diagnosed with BV again and again. My gynecologist did little to help me. She prescribed the same antibiotics for me for years every time I came in. The ongoing infection never seemed to go away. The only other treatment tried by my gynecologist was some sort of dye, which she tried once with no luck. She never suggested anything new or other options, even though over the years and frequent visits she came to know me very well. It almost seemed to not phase her, as if it were normal for this woman in her 20s. My sex life and my relationship was stressed, because of this ongoing problem. I felt guilt for not being able to do things with my body that I wanted to and should be able to at my age. My relationship suffered. I feared having sex, because I feared being in pain and having to tell my partner to stop. What should be something for a couple to enjoy together became something that I feared and put off, or even suffered through the pain. Even at work I would be in pain walking around sometimes to the point of tears. Well, I lost my insurance coverage for a while and went to Planned Parenthood to get my medications. It got to the point that I went through 12-14 rounds of antibiotics... I had had enough. There had to be someone out there who knew more then what other doctors I had seen knew. I started looking up specialists in women's vaginal health online. I then found Dr. Fowler's website and watched his video. Finally, maybe someone who could help me. NOW I'm like a billion time better!!! I'm very pleased. The pain with intercourse has resolved so it is so nice to have a regular sex life again. D. Phoenix, AZ

This would seem like an unusual situation but at Fowler Gyn International in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Fowler has seen hundreds of women who have seen one provider who offers the same treatment over and over or multiple providers who have offered the same treatments. Why? Because very few gynecologists have little if any training in the mamagement of vulvovaginal conditions. Their knowledge is rudimentary. Despite this, the insurance companies continue to pay them for each visit, so the financial reward remains despite their lack of expertice. At Fowler Gyn International (FGI), they have developed effective treatment protocols for pain with intercourse which is the result of years of clinical observation and research by the founder, board certified gynecologist, Dr. R. Stuart Fowler. Contact them at http://www.fowlergyninternational.com/contact-us to learn more.