01/23/2026
Let’s talk estrogen + lichen sclerosus 🤍
Many patients are hesitant to bring up symptoms let alone allow a ge***al exam. Here is one of many reasons why it’s important…
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that often shows up, or worsens after menopause. That timing isn’t random.
As estrogen declines, vulvar skin becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile. For women with LS, this can mean:
• More burning and irritation
• Fissures or tearing
• Pain with intimacy
• Urinary discomfort
Here’s the nuance 👇
💊 Topical steroids treat the disease
🌸 Topical estrogen treats the tissue
Estrogen does not cure lichen sclerosus and does not replace steroids, but in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, it can:
✔️ Improve vulvar tissue health
✔️ Reduce atrophy-related symptoms
✔️ Support comfort and healing
This is why LS care is rarely one-size-fits-all…especially in midlife women. When menopause and inflammatory skin disease overlap, addressing hormones matters.
This is part of the bigger conversation around perimenopause, postmenopause, and dermatologic care for women and one we need to be having more openly.
Save this. Share it. Ask better questions at your next visit.
And don’t be afraid to prescribe it! 🖊️