Learning to Care for Your Vulva – Gently and Confidently

When you live with Lichen Sclerosus, caring for your vulva becomes more than a routine — it becomes an act of healing, self-respect, and empowerment. Many people are never taught how to properly look after their intimate skin, let alone how to do it when that skin is irritated, painful, or changing. This chapter will give you the tools to care for yourself with both gentleness and confidence.

Why Vulval Care Matters

Good vulval care doesn’t just support physical healing — it also helps:

• Reduce irritation and flare-ups
• Strengthen your skin’s natural barrier
• Prevent secondary infections
• Restore a sense of comfort and control

Even small, consistent changes in how you treat your skin can lead to big improvements over time.

The Basics of Daily Vulval Care

Here’s a simple, soothing routine you can adapt to your needs:

1. Cleanse Gently

• Use warm water only — no soaps, bubble baths, or scented products
• If you need a cleanser, choose a pH-balanced, fragrance-free wash
• Gently pat the area dry with a soft towel — don’t rub

2. Moisturise Daily

• Apply a plain, unperfumed emollient (like Epaderm, Hydromol, or Diprobase)
• Use it as a barrier after washing and as needed throughout the day

3. Use Steroid Creams as Prescribed

• Always apply to clean, dry skin
• Wait 5–10 minutes after moisturising, or apply the steroid first (follow your doctor’s guidance)

4. Wear Breathable Clothing

• Choose cotton underwear and loose-fitting bottoms
• Avoid tight jeans, leggings, or synthetic fabrics that trap moisture and heat

5. Stay Fragrance-Free

• Skip scented wipes, sprays, douches, and pads
• Use unbleached, non-perfumed toilet paper if possible

Tips for Soothing a Flare-Up

During a flare, your skin may feel raw, itchy, or fragile. Try the following:

• Take a short sitz bath in lukewarm water with a teaspoon of baking soda
• Use a cold compress wrapped in soft fabric to calm itching
• Reapply emollient more frequently to reduce friction
• Avoid intercourse until symptoms settle

Intimacy and Moisture Support

If dryness or discomfort affects intimacy:

• Use water-based lubricants or vaginal moisturisers regularly
• Consider vaginal oestrogen (available by prescription)
• Communicate openly with your partner about what feels comfortable

Protecting Your Skin

• Avoid shaving or waxing the vulval area — this can trigger flare-ups
• After using the toilet, wipe front to back and pat (don’t rub) dry
• After exercise, rinse with water and change into dry clothes promptly

Reclaiming Body Confidence Through Care

Vulval care is not just about hygiene or treatment — it’s about rebuilding your connection with your body. Each act of care is a message: I deserve to feel comfortable. I deserve to feel safe in my skin.

Even if your vulva looks or feels different than it once did, it is still worthy of love, attention, and kindness.

In the next chapter, we’ll discuss how to handle those inevitable flare-ups with grace and reassurance — so you feel prepared, not powerless.

Chapter 20: Flare-Ups Happen – But They Don’t Define You