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.

Do you wonder why you have seen so many doctors, so many times for the same problem? Only to be told the same thing, only to be treated by “let’s try this this time,” only to have the symptoms return? This is the story for many American women suffering from chronic symptoms which can include:

• Irritating vaginal discharge
• Persistent vaginal odor
• Recurrent vaginal bacterial or yeast infection
• Burning, rawness, and stinging at vaginal opening
• Burning pain on sexual penetration

Numerous women with these symptoms have sought out Dr. R. Stuart Fowler, Gynecologic Vaginal Subspecialist, with a bag full of ineffective treatments and remedies. US practitioners are conventionally trained to evaluate for 4 potential causes of vaginitis…but it’s NOT that simple. While your symptoms may mimic one of the four common types of vaginitis, your actual diagnosis may not be any one of them! Fortunately, there is a better way to treat these problems. Dr. Fowler’s approach is to treat the underlying problem in vaginal health rather than to put a band aide on it by treating only the symptoms.

During two decades of clinical observation and research at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Fowler used phase-contrast microscopy and added new solutions, stains and gradient slides to advance the diagnostic capability of the century old method of wet preparations for evaluating “vaginitis.” As his techniques evolved, he delineated a spectrum of “Altered Vaginal Micro-flora Patterns.” In 2007, Dr. Fowler proposed a new Vaginitis Classification System that expands the number of vaginitis types to ten. Reference: Fowler, R.S. Expansion of altered vaginal flora states in vaginitis. J Reprod Med. 2007 Feb;52(2):93-99.

To determine if you have an underlying altered vaginal flora pattern, Dr. Fowler recommends that you undergo the New Revolutionary Vaginal Fluid Analysis Test (VFA Test). Reference: R.S. Fowler. Quantification of normal vaginal constituents using a new wet prep technique.  J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2012 Oct; 16(4):437-441. Take the guess work out of whether or not the vagina is in a good state of health or not. Then get treatment directed at correcting those parameters. Get access to this advanced testing by becoming a client of FGI online at FowlerGynInternational.com.

FowlerGynInternational.com (FGI) offers new hope to women suffering from vaginal symptoms that have not been adequately addresses or responded to prior treatments. There are tens on thousands of American women with recurrent or refractory vaginal symptoms actively searching for a solution their problem.  FGI was organized in May of 2013 by R. Stuart Fowler M.D. to provide expert care to this group of women. Dr. Fowler is a board certified gynecologist who did his residency at the Mayo Clinic in RochesterMinnesota and then spent the next 20 years on staff  at Mayo Clinic Arizona specializing in vulvovaginal disorders. He recognized a great opportunity to provide more women access to high quality vaginal healthcare by moving his services online. FGI offers services for the following:

• Chronic vaginal discharge and/or odor, itching, irritation
• Recurrent bacterial infections or yeast
• Burning pain &/or pain with intercourse at vaginal opening
• Vagina too tight/tearing, or the vagina to short
• Refractory vaginal dryness
• External genital skin sensitivity, irritation, or dryness
• Sensation of urinary urgency/frequency in the absence of bladder infection
• Recurrent bladder infections without a urologic source.
• Medical diagnoses include vulvovaginitis, recurrent BV, recurrent yeast, vulvodynia, vulvar vestibulitis, vestibulodynia, intriotal dyspareunia, and superficial dyspareunia, vaginal stenosis and vaginal foreshortening.

On the website, potential clients register and complete online medical questionnaires. Then the client receives a call from FGI to clarify the details of their vaginal problem. As part of the evaluation, if indicated, clients can receive the revolutionary Vaginal Fluid Analysis Test (VFA Test). This analysis identifies constituents in the vaginal secretions that indicate the state of vaginal health. The results help guide the type of treatment needed to correct any underlying altered vaginal micro-flora patterns. Special hygienic products are also recommended in certain conditions to prevent ongoing sensitization due to unsuspected chemicals in ordinary skincare products. Some client also requires vaginal dilators as part of their therapy. Attention to all aspects of each condition is warranted otherwise the symptoms persist.

FGI clients may register for Virtual Services where they get the best of both worlds- the vaginal health knowledge and expertise of FGI in Arizona delivered to the privacy and convenience of their home. The other option is to register for a traditional In-Office visit at their headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Either way, clients get advanced diagnostic techniques for their vaginal problem and an individualized treatment protocol tailored to their symptoms taken in context of their general medical history. This evaluation and treatment approach has already been used with success by thousands of women across the US. Check out the numerous motivating success stories from women treated with Dr. Fowler’s protocols under the button Testimonials. If you are ready for expert care, let FGI assist in the goal to resolve your vaginal problem!