Yes, You Can Still Move – Exercising with LS Safely
Movement is powerful. It supports mental health, boosts circulation, strengthens your body, and helps you feel connected to yourself. But when you’re living with Lichen Sclerosus, exercise can feel daunting — will it cause friction? Will it trigger a flare-up? Will I feel sore afterward?
These are valid concerns, and they deserve gentle, informed answers. The good news is: you absolutely can stay active with LS — it just requires a little extra planning and self-awareness.
Why Exercise Matters
Regular movement can:
- Improve mood and reduce stress (both common LS triggers)
- Enhance blood flow to support healing
- Help manage weight and hormonal balance
- Build confidence and body awareness
You don’t need intense workouts to benefit. Even light, consistent activity can make a big difference.
Choosing the Right Activity
When living with LS, opt for low-impact, gentle forms of movement, especially during flare-ups:
Recommended Options:
- Walking: Gentle and low-friction, especially in breathable clothing
- Swimming: Soothing and joint-friendly — just avoid chlorinated pools if sensitive, and rinse off straight after
- Pilates and yoga: Excellent for pelvic floor awareness, flexibility, and stress relief
- Cycling (with caution): Some people find it uncomfortable; try padded seats and short rides
- Strength training: Focus on form and wear soft, supportive workout gear
Activities to Approach with Care:
- Running or high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which may cause excessive sweat and friction
- Horse riding or spinning, unless specially modified
- Hot yoga or saunas, which can increase heat and irritation
Clothing Tips for Exercise
- Wear moisture-wicking, breathable fabrics (like cotton blends or bamboo)
- Avoid tight seams in the vulval area — seamless underwear is ideal
- Consider cycling shorts over underwear to reduce friction
- Change out of sweaty clothes immediately after your workout
Hygiene After Exercise
- Rinse gently with warm water — avoid wipes or soaps
- Pat dry with a clean towel
- Reapply a barrier emollient or prescribed cream if needed
- Let your skin breathe before dressing again
Listening to Your Body
Every day is different. On some days, movement will feel energising. On others, your body may ask for rest. That’s okay.
Signs to pause or modify your workout:
- Increased itching or soreness
- New or worsening tears
- Unusual discharge or burning
Adjust as needed. Your healing matters more than any fitness goal.
The Emotional Benefits of Moving Again
For many women with LS, returning to exercise after diagnosis is about more than just fitness — it’s about rebuilding trust in your body. It’s about reclaiming space, feeling capable, and reconnecting with joy.
Start small. Celebrate every step. And most of all, move in a way that feels good for you.
In the next chapter, we’ll look ahead — at how LS can evolve over time, and what to expect from the months and years ahead.
Chapter 25: What Happens Next? Understanding How LS May Change Over Time
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Dr. Shirin is a fully-trained and highly-experienced aesthetic physician, who works diligently to ensure a 5 star quality service, and brings an honest and ethical approach to every one of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, including several years as a GP and a sub-speciality in anaesthetics, Dr. Shirin is fascinated by the harmony between medicine and aesthetics, and with her expertise, Elite Aesthetics is able to offer effective, doctor-led treatments to vastly improve the lives of our clients.
To find out more about how we’ve put a smile on customers faces in the past, read our testimonials below for first-hand accounts of a variety of our treatments. You can also find out more about what we think at Elite on our blog, as well as reading more about what the press says about us. Our delighted clients hail from areas including Greenhithe, Dartford, Gravesend, Bromley, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and West Malling – as well as from further afield.
Had a consultation with Elite yesterday, I must say I was a bit nervous, but Dr Shirin was so friendly and helpful.
I was given lots of advice and was given treatment options that were within my budget.
A few weeks after the P Shot I've really started to see a difference and have gained my confidence back.
Thank You!
Elite is an outstanding professional clinic with high standard treatments. All the staff members are friendly and offer you honest opinions when it comes to products and treatments. This is a welcoming clinic that I can 100% recommend. Treatments are spoken through and explained in detail, also aftercare. I have been going nearly a year now and am happy with all the treatments I’ve had, wouldn't go anywhere else. The Bocox treatment started to work within a few days, which I was surprised about. So glad I went to Elite for treatment.
Thank you Dr Shirin, the O Shot has really helped me with my Lichen Sclerosus. I'd heard about the treatment on the LS Facebook Groups and message a few people that had treatment with Dr Shirin. I was like many in the group who had run out of treatment options and using creams on a daily basis. I have to say a few months after treatment, I can see a real positive change and I'm hoping my LS will continue to improve. Dr Shirin did say that I might have to have a second treatment given how severe my case is.
A great discovery in the neighbourhood ! There is no need to go up to London for a beauty treatment of any kind. You'll find a whole range of different treatments suiting all age groups and concerns. Welcoming, reassuring, friendly, professional, high tech. I shall be back for more. I love the results of the Thread Lift I had.
Great service as always, skin is glowing very happy
Very happy with the result of my recent visit. For sure will continue with Elite in future
I have been very happy with the care and attention you have received from Dr Shirin.. I would definitely recommend Elite to my family and friends.
Dr Shirins professional approach fills you with confidence. The clinic is modern and efficiently run. They certainly do their utmost to help and advise their clients. I am 100% satisfied that I made the right decision in choosing Elite Aesthetics !
thank you again for my follow up appointment to make sure i was ok and there was no life changing affects from the mess I had done else where how a midwife and beautician can inject and leave customers the way they did is unreal the mess my lips where in and the amount of lumps left was so bad and although there still not perfect Dr shirin managed to massage a lot of the lumps out so not only has she done my previous practitioners job with that but she also cares about the wellbeing of her customers I just wish I had got to Dr shirin to start with con not thank her enough
Great clinic, lovely, clean and modern. Charlotte was excellent, knowledgeable about the treatment whilst also friendly. The facial itself was very enjoyable and my skin looks and feels tighter and smoother. If highly recommend.
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Accreditations
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We have extensive knowledge and experience in the medical and aesthetics industries, but we know that above all, the results matter! All of our treatments are vigorously tested in-house before we offer them to our clients to ensure they are safe, effective and will give you, our wonderful clients, the results you want. Your happiness, well-being and satisfaction are at the very core of everything we do here at Elite Aesthetics, and as a result we will never over-treat or carry out a procedure that Dr. Shirin, deems inappropriate or unsafe. Ethical treatment guides our practice, and we aim to become an industry leader in this respect. This means you can always feel confident that you are in safe hands when you choose Elite Aesthetics.
Our practice is led by our founder, Dr. Shirin Lakhani, who is an advocate for greater regulation in the aesthetics industry. Dr. Shirin and Elite Aesthetics believe greater regulation is vital to the development of aesthetics industry as a whole, and as such, our clinic’s philosophy is based on providing doctor-led care to the highest, medically approved standards. We adhere to stringent ethical and medical principles ensuring all the procedures we offer are safe and effective. Dr. Shirin is also fully registered with the GMC (reference number 4634863), and Elite Aesthetics is CQC (Care Quality Commission) Registered, an endorsement recognised by the UK Government, The Department of Health and NHS England.
Elite Aesthetics has been awarded PDO Thread Lift Certification by MINT Threads.
