Are you living with Lichen Sclerosus? This podcast episode dives into the Wholistic Healing Summit, a patient-focused virtual event hosted by the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN). LSSN's Kathy shares details about the summit's comprehensive program, featuring leading medical experts, sessions on intimacy and self-esteem, and practical advice for daily living. Learn about the different ticket options and how this summit can provide education, support, and community for those affected by LS...
Apr 11, 2025•29 min
Episode Description: Welcome to the Lichen Sclerosus Podcast brought to you by the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network. I'm your host, Kathy, and today we’re excited to bring you a conversation with an amazing researcher, Leia Mitchell. If you’ve listened before, you might recognize her from past episodes. This time, we’re diving into a new possible treatment for Lichen Sclerosus. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Insights into two groundbreaking studies on silicone-based treatments for Lichen Scl...
Feb 07, 2025•40 min
Join Kathy and Sienna as they introduce the "Unstoppable You" workshop, designed specifically for young adults with lichen sclerosus (LS). They'll discuss the inspiration behind the workshop, its unique features, and how it can empower young people to thrive with LS. Key Takeaways: The "Unstoppable You" workshop is a 5-week program created to help young adults navigate the challenges of LS with confidence. The workshop will cover topics such as communicating about LS, redefining intimacy, embrac...
Jan 24, 2025•21 min
Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Jill Krapf, a leading expert in vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), as we discuss the challenges and opportunities in LS care and introduce the Provider Continuous Education Program (PCEP). Why Provider Education Matters: LS is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late, leading to years of unnecessary suffering for patients. Many healthcare providers lack the knowledge and training to properly diagnose and manage LS. The PCEP will equip providers with the too...
Dec 09, 2024•54 min
Join us for a special Giving Tuesday episode where we discuss the importance of supporting the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) and their mission to end the misdiagnosis and suffering caused by lichen sclerosus (LS). In this episode, you'll learn about: The challenges of living with LS and the impact of misdiagnosis. The importance of patient education and support in managing LS. The LSSN Provider Continuous Education Program (PCEP) and how it will improve healthcare provider knowledge an...
Dec 03, 2024•49 min
If you're feeling the weight of unresolved issues in your intimate relationship, then you are not alone! Couples often struggle to communicate openly about sex and intimacy, leading to frustration and distance instead of connection. But what if there's a way to enhance your communication and connection, even in the midst of challenges? Let's dive into the journey of a couple navigating the complexities of long-term relationships and discover the transformative power of open dialogue and shared e...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Bonus Alert until April 28: Check out the bonus 14 video replays from past summits that come with the Wholistic Healing Summit All-Access pass. https://lssupportnetwork.org/whs Join us for this informative panel discussion on lichen sclerosis and sexual health. Hosted by Kathy Ruiz-Carter, we have a talented group of experts: patient advocate Jaclyn Lanthier, gynecologist Dr. Suzanne Weber, and pelvic health physical therapist Dr. Mamawah Bourque. We cover key topics like LS treatment and manage...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Topics: What is the LSSN Wholistic Healing Summit? Importance of addressing relationships affected by Lichen Sclerosus (LS) Summit focus: Partners, Caregivers, and Disclosure Sessions for patients, partners, and caregivers Wellbeing activities for stress management Opportunities to connect with other attendees Key Points LSSN is a non-profit patient organization providing education and support for those with LS. LS impacts all aspects of life, including relationships. The summit helps patients, ...
Apr 17, 2024•22 min
Hey friend! I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Melissa Mauskar, a true rockstar in the world of vulvar health research. She illuminated some fascinating new findings about the hormone and microbiome landscapes in lichen sclerosus. I walked away feeling so hopeful about how this work might improve patient care down the road! 🙌 Dr. Mauskar broke down the key takeaways in an accessible way – no need for a medical degree to follow along! Whether you have lichen sclerosus yourself or t...
Mar 01, 2024•37 min
Get ready for a heart-pounding year-end review of the Lichen Sclerosis Support Network's incredible work. From informative videos to virtual meetups, they're empowering LS warriors like me. But just when everything seems perfect, a shocking revelation threatens to unravel all their progress. Will they overcome this unexpected obstacle? Find out on the Lichen Sclerosus Podcast! In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the latest updates and initiatives from the Lichen Sclerosis Support Netw...
Nov 27, 2023•59 min
Have you heard about the LSSN Mini Summit: Vulvovaginal Conditions? It’s our 3-day, 100% virtual event presented by medical experts on rarely discussed conditions, such as lichen sclerosus. You may be saying, I already have LS. Why do I need to know about other conditions? Or I don’t want to know about anything else. But the thing is, this is VERY important to your LS journey! In this episode, I will explain why you do not want to miss this summit, especially if you already have a vulvovaginal c...
Sep 15, 2023•29 min
In this episode, you will be able to: Explore the impact of holistic methods on pelvic health and wellness. Harness the strength of your pelvic area to alleviate pain. Foster a nurturing environment for individuals coping with pelvic pain. Unlock a fulfilling life through empowerment for those with chronic conditions. My special guest is Penny Petersson Penny reaches her audience through her Instagram account, @wellbeingbypenny, where she spreads positivity and humor, despite her own pelvic heal...
Jun 23, 2023•25 min
In this podcast, Sophie Reese, an English researcher, discusses her work on the project Living with Vulva LS, a Mixed Method Study. She mentions the development of a checklist of diagnostic criteria to help health professionals diagnose LS accurately and quickly. Sophie highlights the challenges in recruiting participants for research studies, particularly ethical issues, and the responsibility of researchers to publish their findings to create real-world changes. The interviewee emphasizes the ...
Jun 16, 2023•1 hr 3 min
When I started the podcast, I never imagined it would grow into something so much more - the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network and their annual (W)holistic Healing Summit. Now, every year, we strive to make a brighter tomorrow for those facing the same struggle I once did. But what does the future hold for this amazing network? Learn more and get your pass today at https://whhs.lssupportnetwork.org/ In this episode, you will be able to: Experience the transformational effects of holistic healing ...
Apr 30, 2023•12 min
Join me in the second part of this conversation with Dr. Jill Krapf, LS specialist; researcher; author; and educator, about her research review, "Topical Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Review of Pharmacokinetics and Recommended Dosing Frequencies." When evaluating treatments for lichen sclerosus, one must consider all variables involved for optimal application. In this review article, the authors explore the science of the skin and the effects of inflammation, as ...
Apr 24, 2023•45 min
Has lichen sclerosus changed your sex life? Did you lose your self-confidence? Do you feel less at home in your body? Has your sexual identity been destroyed? Is your libido nonexistent? Like you have no desire for sex and intimacy? Here’s the thing. You are not alone! What if we had a way to turn it around? If you're ready to get your sexy back, you need to watch this video and go to https://lssupportnetwork.org/sexyback We spent months designing a unique program for folks with lichen sclerosus...
Mar 31, 2023•28 min
Join me as I talk to Dr. Jill Krapf, LS specialist; researcher; author; and educator, about all things steroids. What does it do to the skin? Why do we need it? And she answers some frequently heard steroid concerns. If you’re on the fence about or want to learn more about steroids, this is the episode for you. In this video, you will learn: 1. What is the current understanding of the cause of Lichen Sclerosus, and what role do external stressors, diet, hormones, and trauma play? 2. How can topi...
Mar 17, 2023•51 min
Ashlie Crewe, a Physical Therapist with a Psychology degree, embarks on a journey to help patients manage their chronic pain using neuroscience, only to find her own trial by fire as she discovers a unique way to challenge a patient's overprotective nervous system. "The beautiful thing, good and bad, is that physical therapists, we're not allowed to prescribe medicine in the United States. So I think one of the cool things about my job then is we're really taught to work with the human body, and...
Mar 02, 2023•54 min
In this podcast episode, Dr. Rachel Rubin sheds light on the startling truth that 23% of all women suffer from Clitoral Adhesions and how her innovative stretching procedure has resulted in a 76% decrease in pain and a 64% increase in orgasm rate for these women. "We have so much work to do because no one taught your doctor how to examine a clitoris. No one. They never learned. They feel like it's not their space and it's not their place, and they feel weird of, what am I looking for? No one eve...
Feb 15, 2023•48 min
Hey! Welcome! I'm on a bit of a hiatus with Podcast as I build out Lichen Sclerosus Support Network, but, when my girl Jaclyn from The Lost Labia Chronicles told me about her latest project, I was like, "girl, we need to make a podcast episode and let our community know". So here we are! If you experience a lot of stress from living with lichen sclerosus, you definitely want to listen to this amazing opportunity that I just know you will want in on. Vagus Nerve and Lichen Scleorsus Workshop June...
Jun 14, 2022•28 min
Today we talk to Shauna Farabaugh, a somatic sex educator about how it can help us have a sexual rebirth. Shauna is one of our Holistic Healing Summit speakers. We hope you can join us. With over 30 sessions dedicated to approaching LS from a whole-body approach, there's something for every LS Warrior. Find out more at holistichealingsummit.live We're excited to announce the Get Your Sexy Back program! If LS has taken your mojo and you're ready to take it back this is the class for you! Find out...
May 03, 2022•26 min
Angie Alt, a social activist and researcher, takes on the challenge of managing her Lichen Sclerosus for 9 years through the Autoimmune Protocol, an ambitious goal that leads to a journey of self-discovery and healing. Here's what Angie Alt and I cover: 1. How Angie Alt transformed the Paleo Diet into the Autoimmune Protocol to manage her Lichen Sclerosis for 9 years. 2. What is the Autoimmune Protocol and how can it help those living with autoimmune diseases? 3. How to navigate the Autoimmune P...
Feb 05, 2022•53 min
Were you given a steroid treatment for your LS but not told when or how to use it? Or were the directions unclear, but you're not sure where to turn to for information? Don't worry because we get answers to those questions in this episode and more with Dr. Jill Krapf, leading LS researcher and specialist. To contact and work with Dr. Krapf, go to www.cvvd.org and fill out their contact form or call them. You can also follow Dr. Krapf on Instagram and Facebook @jillkrapfmd. Thanks to, Lichen Scle...
Jan 21, 2022•43 min
It's a new year and a perfect time to set goals. I'm not just talking about life goals, either. I'm talking about health goals! We set at least one life and one LS goal we want to work on inside our private membership. Every week we set mini-goals to get us to our big goals. And let me tell you, this process WORKS. We've had so many amazing transformations working through this process. In this episode, I walk you through why it's important to set health goals and how to start doing it. If you're...
Jan 07, 2022•23 min
Welcome. If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, I want to give you a shout-out and thank you for sticking with me this year. This was the year of transition, and because of that, there weren’t very many episodes published, but you kept coming back. I appreciate you so much! If you’ve just found me, I want to thank you for listening, and I hope you get value out of it. At the very least, know that you are not alone. Since this is the last episode of 2021, I thought it would be fun t...
Dec 18, 2021•31 min
Today I am joined by the amazing dermatologist, Dr. Sandy Flann, who is an expert on pediatric Lichen Sclerosus. Yes, you heard that right, Pediatric Lichen Sclerosus! As we know, Lichen Sclerosus can affect anyone, of any age - children included. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research and resources for parents of children with Lichen Sclerosus. So, today we're going to find out about treatment, what to look for, the progression of symptoms, and how we can help our children become comfortabl...
Dec 10, 2021•53 min
Hey, welcome. In this episode, I decided to take a little break from the interviews, and speak from the heart. This is something I felt compelled to speak on. I want to talk about not letting Lichen Sclerosus control your life; not letting it rob you of the vibrant and wondrous person you are. I want to thank our sponsor, Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) for making this podcast possible. LSSN is helping get people diagnosed earlier and get the treatment and care they deserve. Follow them ...
Dec 03, 2021•17 min•Season 3Ep. 43
Hey! Welcome! Have you ever wondered what lube is best for Lichen Sclerosus? Perhaps you felt overwhelmed by the massive selection of lube options online and had no clue what to buy? Have you ever wondered what you should look for and avoid in a lube? If yes, this is the episode for you! Today I am here with my amazing friend and follow LS warrior, Jaclyn, from The Lost Labia Chronicles , and we are going to be talking about lubrication, artificial lubrication, that is. But before we jump into t...
Nov 19, 2021•37 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Today, I am here with Dr. Cynthia Wesley (aka Dr. Cyn), a board-certified OBGYN with over 16 years of experience and a vulvar skin expert. Dr. Cyn is passionate about vulvar care, hygiene, and grooming. She will share her tips on how to take care of your vulva when you have Lichen Sclerosus. We discussed everything from using the bathroom, bathing, moisturizing, hair removal, and more. So many great tips in here. Resources mentioned in the episode: Dr. Cyn’s website: drcynobgyn.com Dr. Cyn’s exc...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Hey welcome! This week I'm so excited to finally publish this episode with Ashley Stump. She's a pelvic floor physical therapist who knows all about Lichen Sclerosus. I learned so much during this episode, we talked about what pelvic floor physical therapy is, why women with Lichen Sclerosus need it, what to expect on your first visit, and we talked about lubes. We talked about so much, so much gold and she even gave us tips on what to look for when you're looking for a new pelvic floor physical...
Nov 05, 2021•50 min•Season 3Ep. 1
