Vulvar self-examination for lichen sclerosus control
The Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (LS) is a chronic disease that can cause a variety of symptoms, significantly affecting the quality of life of women who suffer from it. An essential tool for women living with LS is vulvar self-examination.
Performing this self-examination will help you both to monitor the evolution of your signs and symptoms, as well as to detect changes that may require medical attention from your Lichen Sclerosus specialist.
In this article, we will explore how to perform a vulvar self-examination and what specific aspects should be observed.
But first let’s start with something essential:
Why is vulvar self-examination important?
Performing vulvar self-exams on a regular basis will enable you to:
– Monitor disease progression.
– Detect new lesions, fissures or changes in your skin.
– Evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatments.
– Identify early signs of possible complications.
So, how do I perform a vulvar self-examination?
Before you start without knowing what to observe, be prepared:
It is important to prepare the necessary environment and materials to ensure adequate observation:
– A hand mirror: Preferably one with magnification to see details better.
– Good lighting: Bright, direct light will help you observe more clearly.
– A comfortable, private place: Where you can sit or lie down without interruption.
Now let’s get down to it:
Step by step of vulvar self-examination
- Wash your hands: Make sure your hands are clean to avoid infections.
- Find a comfortable position: You can sit with your legs apart or lie down with your knees bent and feet supported.
- Use the mirror: Position the mirror so that you can clearly see the entire vulvar area.
- Look at the skin: Look for any changes in the color, texture or thickness of the skin. Lichen sclerosus may cause the skin to become whiter and thinner, or pearly white plaques to appear.
- Check the lesions: Look for new fissures, erosions, ulcers, or areas of reddened or inflamed skin.
- Gently palpate: With your fingertips, gently touch the skin to detect any, hardening or unusual tenderness.
- Take notes: Write down any changes or new symptoms, such as itching, burning or pain, to report to your doctor at your next appointment.
- Take pictures of yourself: use your cell phone to take pictures of yourself (by yourself or with the help of your partner). Keep them in a private folder with a password for your safety. These pictures will allow you to easily compare the evolution over time.
What changes can you see in this self-test?
– Skin color changes: The skin may become whiter or have pigmented areas.
– Skin texture: Pay attention to whether the skin feels thinner, thicker or has flaky areas.
– Fissures and ulcers: Look for cracks in the skin or non-healing ulcers.
– Atrophy of the labia minora and majora: Reduction in size or disappearance of the labia minora and majora is common in LS.
– Narrowing of the vaginal entrance: Note if there is difficulty or pain when inserting a finger or during sexual intercourse.
– Tenderness and pain: Gently palpate for areas of pain or abnormal tenderness.
Remember that if you want to reduce these symptoms Dermnix can help you, formulated for you, so that you can go on with your daily life, so that lichen is not an impediment, so that you can recover your quality of life.
When do I consult with my dermatologist or gynecologist who specializes in Lichen Sclerosus?
You should be in regular contact with your gynecologist or dermatologist, especially if you observe:
– New lesions, bumps or areas of reddened skin that were not present before.
– A significant increase in itching, burning or pain.
– Fissures or ulcers that do not heal in a reasonable time.
– Any changes that concern you or that you don’t understand.
To sum up…
Vulvar self-examination is an essential practice if you suffer from vulvar lichen sclerosus. By performing it regularly, you can keep a close eye on the disease and detect any changes early, which is key to effective disease management.
