3. Lichen Sclerosus and Menopause

“Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory disorder that affects skin on your genitals. It causes irritation, skin changes, itching and pain. It’s most common in people assigned female at birth, including women who have been through menopause and girls who haven’t started puberty. There’s no cure for lichen sclerosus, but treatment can relieve symptoms.” - Cleveland Clinic.Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)“The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a new term that describes various menopausal symptoms and signs including not only genital symptoms (dryness, burning, and irritation), and sexual symptoms (lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function, but also urinary symptoms (urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections).” - National Library of Medicine.What is the connection between GSM and lichen sclerosus?In the episode, Dr. Rachel Pope is joined by her two buddies, experts, and the Menopause Retreat co-founders: Anna Myers, Urology Nurse Practitioner & Sex Counselor, and Jean Marino, Women's Sexual Health and Menopause expert to discuss lichen sclerosus in post-menopausal women, GSM, symptoms and how to get the correct diagnosis.Featured in this episode: Symptoms of GSM Symptoms of lichen sclerosus Overlap between GSM and lichen sclerosus Vaginal estrogen for relief Getting a check up with your health care providerSubmit your questions on anything and everything women's health-related and we will answer them in one of our episodes.Want more from Our Womanity?Looking for practical advice for women in their 60s who want to become sexually active or want to improve their current sex life? Check out Sex in Your Sixties: Who says the fun has to stop? Written by a multidisciplinary group of health professionals who address issues such as pain with sex, low desire for sex, orgasm difficulties, your bladder and sex, same sex partners, vulvar skin conditions, trauma and more.Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay updated and not miss out on new episodes.Check out our next Menopause Retreat here so you can be part of the conversion in person.