Clitoral Adhesions in Lichen Sclerosus: FAQs, Treatment, & Care Gaps in Canada - Ft. Dr. Sanaee

*Disclaimer: This video is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with your medical provider before making any changes to your health plan. We’re joined by Dr. May Sanaee to talk about clitoral adhesions; what they are, why they happen, and how they can affect comfort, sensation, sexual health, and quality of life. This is a topic many patients experience but are rarely given clear, compassionate, evidence-based information about. In this video, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we hear from patients, including whether clitoral adhesions can occur without lichen sclerosus, what conservative and non-surgical options are available, when a clitoral lysis of adhesions procedure may be considered, and what proper aftercare entails to help prevent re-adhesion. We’ll also be talking specifically about access to care in Canada, where very few providers are trained or comfortable managing clitoral adhesions, whether conservatively or surgically. Many patients are left without guidance, referrals, or follow-up, and this care gap can have a significant impact on their physical and emotional well-being. To better understand this landscape, Dr. Sanaee and her team are launching a Canada-focused survey for people with vulvar lichen sclerosus. This survey is designed to capture real patient experiences: whether people can find knowledgeable providers, how adhesions affect daily life and intimacy, and what barriers exist to receiving appropriate care. This data is critical so we can bring patient-driven evidence to policymakers, educators, and healthcare systems to advocate for better training and access across Canada. If clitoral adhesions are something you’ve experienced, this conversation is for you. And if you’re in Canada, we strongly encourage you to participate in the survey linked below :) TAKE THE SURVEY HERE: https://redcap.ualberta.ca/surveys/?s... * Dr. Sanaee's Bio & Link Dr. May Sanaee (she/her) is a Urogynecologist and Chronic Pelvic Pain specialist at the Lois Hole Hospital for Women at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. She is also an Associate Professor with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta. Dr. Sanaee completed her MD in 2011 (McMaster University) and Obstetrics and Gynecology residency program in 2016 (McMaster University). She went on to the University of British Columbia to complete an Advanced Subspecialty Fellowship training in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) and Sexual Medicine in 2018. She concurrently completed a Masters’ degree in Medical Education in 2018 (McMaster University). Her thesis explored surgical innovation in gynecology. Dr. Sanaee served as President of the Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine (2022-2023) and advocates for the standardization of urogynecology training and practice. She currently serves as the clerkship director for the OBGYN course for third year medical students at the University of Alberta and conducts and supervises research trainees in the areas of urogynecology, chronic pelvic pain, rural health and medical education. In 2023 she was named one of Edmonton's Top 40 under 40. Dr. Sanaee is proud to call Edmonton home and moved to Alberta specifically to work in a world-renowned multi-disciplinary clinic (www.edmontonurogynecology.com) offering patients quality surgical and conservative care. For more info or if you are interested in getting the procedure privately, more info at https://www.drmaysanaee.com/ * Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 2:04 - Dr. Sanaee's introduction 4:43 - What are clitoral adhesions/phimosis? 7:39 - Why do adhesions happen? 9:05 - Can you have adhesions or phimosis without symptoms? 11:51 - Symptoms of adhesions/phimosis 13:39 - Can you get adhesions without lichen sclerosus? 19:08 - Tips on cleaning the clitoris 20:50 - Are there other reasons for loss of clitoral sensation? 21:39 - If you have vulvar lichen sclerosus, what can be done to prevent adhesions? 27:45 - What is the lysis procedure? 33:25 - Recurrence rates 36:45 - Why can't surgeons do the procedure if you aren't in clinical remission 38:17 - What are the risks? 43:10 - Can you get lysis in Canada? What is clitoral care like here? 49:30 - Info on our clitoral adhesions in Canada survey 53:22 - Outro * Links Subscribe to LSSN's newsletter: lssupportnetwork.org/subscribe Subscribe to TLLC's newsletter: www.lostlabia.com/subscribe Survey link: https://redcap.ualberta.ca/surveys/?s... * #lichensclerosus #lysisofadhesions #clitoraladhesions #clitoralfusing #clitoralscarring #lichensclerosis #anogenital #perianalskin #vulvarlichensclerosus #vulvarhealth #productreview #itch #pain #gynecology #dermatology #womenshealth #pelvichealth #pelvicpain #healthjourney #vulvardermatoses #vulvarlichensclerosus #autoimmunedisease #autoimmunewellness #autoimmunity #autoimmunedisorder #unfuse