Research Update · Lichen Sclerosus
We Published the Research. Here's What It Means for You.
By Dr. Shari Caplan · July 2026 · 4 min read
If you’ve been told that steroids are your only option for lichen sclerosus — this post is for you.
I’ve been treating lichen sclerosus (LS) for years, and I’ve always believed we could do better than managing symptoms with lifelong steroid use. Not because steroids don’t help — they do — but because they don’t heal. They don’t reverse the tissue damage. They don’t restore what LS has taken from your body and your intimate life.
So we built a protocol that does. And earlier this year, Dr. Yalda Nasir and I published the results in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Here’s what we found — in plain language.
Ten patients. Ages 39 to 88. Nine women and one man. Up to three treatment sessions each. Zero adverse events. And every single patient reported that lichen sclerosus no longer interfered with their daily life.
That last part? That’s the one that gets me. Because I know what daily interference looks like for my patients — the cancelled plans, the avoided intimacy, the quiet grief of a body that doesn’t feel like yours anymore.
What's in the Protocol?
The approach combines three treatments in a single session, each targeting a different layer of the problem:
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Monopolar Radiofrequency (RF)
Deep controlled heating that tells your body to start making collagen and elastin again. Applied to the vulvar surface or intravaginally, it restores moisture, elasticity, and blood flow to tissue that has thinned and scarred. Think of it as a remodel from the inside out.
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Fractional RF Microneedling
Micro-injuries that are precise and intentional — they signal the body’s healing cascade, building up the density and firmness of the tissue. This is the cornerstone of the protocol, and it was used for every patient in the study.
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Exosomes or PRP
The biological amplifier. Exosomes (from stem cells) carry anti-inflammatory signals and repair molecules directly into the tissue. PRP uses your own blood’s growth factors to stimulate healing and new blood vessel formation. Together with the RF treatments, they create a synergistic regenerative effect that no single treatment can match.
“The goal isn’t to suppress the condition — it’s to rebuild the tissue and give patients their quality of life back.”
One Patient That Stays With Me
An 88-year-old woman came in with marked atrophy — inflamed skin, visible fissures, significant tissue damage. She received one treatment. At her one-month follow-up, her fissures had resolved, the tissue looked smoother and more hydrated, and she reported that lichen sclerosus no longer interfered with her daily life. One treatment. 88 years old. That’s what regenerative care looks like.
Another patient — followed at nine months — reported a complete resolution of vaginal atrophy, narrowing, and itching. Her sexual arousal scores during intercourse went from 1 out of 6 to a perfect 6. And the results held at nine months.
Is This Right for You?
This protocol is not for everyone, and it’s not a cure. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic condition and ongoing management is part of the picture. But if you’ve been using steroids for years and still struggling, or if you’ve been told this is just “something you have to live with,” I want you to know there are options worth exploring.
The research is early-stage — this is a case series, not a randomized controlled trial. But the outcomes are real, the safety profile is excellent, and we are continuing to build the evidence. Read the full clinical details and deeper breakdown on the VitalityMD blog →
Quick Answers
Can lichen sclerosus be treated without steroids?
In our published case series, 80% of patients who had been using steroids were able to stop after completing the regenerative protocol. This doesn’t mean steroids are never appropriate — but for many patients, regenerative treatment can reduce or eliminate the need for long-term steroid use.
How many sessions does it take?
The protocol involves up to three sessions, spaced about two weeks apart. One patient in the study saw significant improvement after just one session. Treatment is always individualized based on your specific presentation and goals.
Does this help with sexual dysfunction caused by lichen sclerosus?
Yes. Patients in the study reported a 49% reduction in pain during intercourse, 44% improvement in lubrication, 41% improvement in arousal, and complete resolution of distress related to inability to orgasm. Sexual health improvements were among the most meaningful outcomes reported.
Can men be treated for lichen sclerosus with this approach?
Yes. The study included one male patient, treated with fractional RF microneedling and exosomes. At his four-month follow-up he reported resolution of penile atrophy, active tears, and itching — and was able to discontinue corticosteroid therapy entirely.
Let's Talk About Your Options
I see patients from across Canada and internationally. If you want to know whether this protocol is right for you, start with a consultation.
Dr. Shari Caplan (Dr. OMG) is the Medical Director of VitalityMD, Toronto — Canada’s first physician-run integrative lifestyle centre with a special focus on women’s and men’s sexual health.