Treatments
TULIP® at Coyle Institute: A New Treatment for Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a painful skin condition that affects millions of women each year. Until now, the only course of treatment has been to manage the disease and attempt healing with topical steroids. It was a slow, uncertain road to recovery with unpleasant side effects.
Today, with just one TULIP® treatment, women can be relieved of all signs and symptoms of lichen sclerosus.
Dr. Michael Coyle at the Coyle Institute in Pensacola, Florida, developed TULIP® to make lichen sclerosus treatment easier for every woman. The single-treatment approach takes only three days, making it more accessible to medical travel patients from around the world.
What Is Lichen Sclerosus?
Lichen sclerosus is a painful skin condition that typically affects the genital area, including the vulva, perineum and anus.
Lichen sclerosus causes lesions and areas of thinning skin that tear easily. These areas may appear smoother and lighter in color than the surrounding healthy skin.
When the vulvar skin is damaged, the skin can fuse then tear, causing more broken skin, uncomfortable intercourse and painful urination. The cause of lichen sclerosus is unknown, although it is widely thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Genetics, other immune diseases and trauma to the genital area are known risk factors.
What is TULIP®?
TULIP® uses a high-tech approach to treat this stubborn condition.
First, an exam and biopsy determine the depth of the lichen sclerosus lesions. Dr. Coyle then uses a ProFractional ™ laser to eliminate damaged tissue and encourage the growth of new, healthy skin. The ProFractional™ laser is uniquely adjusted for each patient. It can be customized to treat damaged skin and preserve healthy surrounding tissues.
TULIP® follows Dr. Coyle’s original research on lichen sclerosus combined with the healing benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP.
Study Done by Dr. Michael Coyle:
TULIP® FAQ's:
Does TULIP® Require an Overnight Stay?
For lichen sclerosus treatment, Dr. Coyle recommends a three-day stay in Pensacola, beginning on either Monday or Wednesday.
On the first day, patients have a full exam and a biopsy if needed. We send the biopsied tissue to a pathologist for assessment. Within 24 hours, Dr. Coyle has the information he needs to customize treatment. On day three, the patient is treated and is then cleared to return home.
How Long is the Recovery Time after TULIP®?
Women can return home and resume their normal lives the day of treatment. We'll talk about your aftercare protocol during your initial consultation and again following your procedure.
When Will I See Results From TULIP®?
Over the next month, the healing process triggered by the treatment will rebuild tissue and create new skin. While results may vary depending on a patient’s specific condition, at the end of one month after TULIP®, most patients are completely healed and have no symptoms of lichen sclerosus.
This patient drove 500 miles to Coyle Institute as a referral from her GYN. She has had severe Lichen Sclerosus for over 7 years and has been using clobetasol steroid cream for over 7 years. Her before picture shows almost a complete closure of her vaginal opening. Her vaginal opening was only the size of a pencil eraser. The black spot is her biopsy site. She was seen on Monday and we did the biopsy. She was then taken to the operating room on Tuesday to separate all of her adhesions and had the TULIP® (patent pending) on Wednesday. When she came in for her 3 month visit she was not having any symptoms of Lichen Sclerous. She started having intercourse with her husband that she has not had in over 7 years. In addition, she is a diabetic. The entire time she was on the steroid cream she was unable to get her Hemoglobin A1C under 7. Since the TULIP® (patent pending) she has been off her steroids, has had to decrease her insulin and she was so happy to report that her Hemoglobin A1C was 6.5. She was extremely happy and thank us for restoring her life.
Before & After
Before & After
Before & After
Before & After
This is an 18 year old that has suffered with vulvar irritation and pain for many years. She has never been able to use a tampon secondary to the pain of insertion. After the TULIP® (patent pending) she now says that for the first time that she can remember she feels normal and she has been able to use a tampon for the first time in her life.
Patient traveled to Coyle Institute secondary to history of Lichen Sclerosus. While in the office she also reported that she suffered from anal fissures for many years. She underwent the TULIP® (patent pending) for her Lichens and at the same time we treated her anal fissures. She reported at her 3 month visit extremely happy. She was not having any symptoms of LS or anal fissures. On the pictures it is easy to see that her anal fissures completely resolved, in addition, if you look at the perineal skin (the skin between the vaginal opening and the anus) her Lichens is also completely resolved.
How Long will TULIP® Prevent a Recurrence of Lichen Sclerosus?
With lichen sclerosus, there is always a risk of recurrence. In our patients treated with TULIP®, we have not seen symptoms return.
Lichen sclerosus is a relatively uncommon issue but is incredibly disruptive to women's sexual activity and daily lives. Dr. Coyle and the experienced team at Coyle Institute are on the cutting edge of lichen sclerosus treatment. We want women to return to their normal lives and enjoy pain-free sexual activity. Patients have reported 100 percent recovery from all lichen sclerosus symptoms following a single procedure.
If you suspect you have symptoms of lichen sclerosus, early treatment is urgent to help prevent scarring and other risks. Call Coyle Institute today to learn more about effective single-treatment relief from lichen sclerosus symptoms with TULIP®.