Understanding Lichen Sclerosus (Anus): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatmen
Lichen Sclerosus is a painful skin condition that causes chronic itchiness around the genitals. It is thought to affect around one in every 80 women and can often be confused with thrush because of the similarities in symptoms.
But there are other areas that can be affected by lichen sclerosus, such as the anus, penis and vulva.
Perianal lichen sclerous (anus) is very common amongst LS sufferers, and if you’re suffering from perianal lichen sclerosus and would like to understand the causes, symptoms and different treatment options, then this blog will provide the answers.
What Is Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen Sclerosus is a skin condition that affects the skin of the genitals. It appears as white spots and results in chronic itching, painful burning and scarring.
It can affect both men and women. LS in men mostly affects the head of the penis and can also be present around the anus, but overall, women are more likely to suffer from Lichen Sclerosus. Anus and vulva are the most typical areas that it affects.
Your skin has several layers, and if you suffer from Lichen Sclerosus, the outer layer (the epidermis) becomes very thin, resulting in inflammatory cells that invade the next layer of skin (the dermis).
The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and hair roots, and when it becomes inflamed, it causes painful swelling and broken blood vessels. LS is not contagious and can not be transmitted sexually.
What Causes Lichen Sclerosus (Anus) and Perianal Lichen Sclerosus?
The exact cause of Lichen Sclerosus isn’t understood, but it’s likely a combination of factors, including an overactive immune system, your genetic makeup, and previous skin damage or irritation.
Your age and gender can also be a factor in having perianal Lichen Sclerosus (anus, vulva or penile), and it most commonly occurs after menopause. It is thought that lower oestrogen levels could be a cause in triggering different areas such as the anus and vulva.
Studies show that it appears to be more common amongst women with auto-immune illnesses such as thyroid problems or ulcerative colitis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Lichen Sclerosus – Anus or Vulva?
Whether you have Lichen Sclerosus anus or Lichen Sclerosus vulva, your symptoms might include:
- White patchy skin
- White spots
- Blotchy, wrinkled, and cracked skin patches
- Itching
- Soreness or a burning feeling, especially in the anal area
- Easy bruising
- Fragile skin
- Changes in the tube for urine flow (urethra)
- Bleeding, blistering or open sores
- Pain
Treating Perianal Lichen Sclerosus
Unfortunately, there is no cure for LS, but there are many ways that you can manage your condition and reduce the pain that you are experiencing.
You can try over-the-counter ointments and creams, but these are often not strong enough on their own. The most effective creams are steroid-based but will require a doctor’s prescription.
If you do get prescribed these types of creams, some users find that they become immune to them over time and need to use much stronger doses. For a long-term treatment option, they might not be enough.
In some cases, LS symptoms can become so extreme that surgery will be required to remove excess skin from your genitals. The aim of cutting back your skin is to encourage new, unaffected skin to grow and heal.
Surgery can be very effective for some people suffering from Lichen Sclerosus (anus) and Lichen Sclerosus (vulva), but it can’t stop LS indefinitely, and it could return in the future.
One thing you can do relatively easily is avoid scented soaps and shower gels in the areas affected by Lichen Sclerosus. Your anus, vulva and general vaginal area can be very sensitive, and scented soaps or shower gels can exacerbate the problem.
The O-Shot For Perianal Lichen Sclerosus
If you feel like you’ve tried everything to relieve your LS symptoms, and it’s not helping, there is another treatment that is proven to be very effective for Lichen Sclerosus sufferers.
The O Shot is a non-invasive treatment that helps women break free from Lichen Sclerosus (anus, vulva or other affected areas).
This O-Shot is derived from PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatments that harness the power of your own blood to provide healing relief for conditions such as LS.
The O-Shot (for women) and the P-Shot (for men) are non-invasive treatments designed to rejuvenate the vagina and the penis – and can be used on the anus too. It is proven to improve the symptoms of Lichen Sclerosus because PRP injections speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation of the tissues affected by the condition.
By helping to heal the damaged tissue, PRP can provide significant relief from Lichen Sclerosus symptoms. The platelet-rich plasma uses the incredible healing ability of your own immune system, making it a very natural treatment with minimal risk of side effects.
We use an FDA-approved centrifuge at Elite Aesthetics to give the best possible results. The centrifuge concentrates your blood platelets and plasma to make a very potent PRP serum. This is then injected around the affected areas.
This treatment has shown success in reducing itching, pain, and inflammation associated with Lichen Sclerosus. The therapy also promotes tissue regeneration, improving the appearance of scarring caused by the condition.
The results can last up to 12 months, and women suffering from Lichen Sclerosus, anus and vulva, reported feeling improvements within a few days of the treatment.
Next Steps
The O-Shot is a quick and painless treatment that gives you months of relief from the condition without having to rely on prescribed medication.
It is the most natural treatment without having to resort to invasive surgery, as it harnesses the phenomenal healing power of your own body.
If you would like to hear more about how the O-Shot could treat your perianal Lichen Sclerosus (anus), then you need to book a consultation with one of our experienced doctors.
You can contact us either by calling 01322 381 205, emailing info@elite-aesthetics.co.uk, or WhatsApp us.
We hold our consultations in our award-winning clinic based in Greenhithe, Kent, which is just 20 minutes away by train from London and 10 minutes from Gravesend.
