Let’s start at the beginning: vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the vulvar area in women.
This implies that, logically, it can directly affect the physical activity you perform in your daily life, from simply going for a walk in the countryside or walking around your city to performing high-impact exercises, such as spinning to mention one.
This leads many women to stop exercising, due to the pain that may be involved in performing certain movements.
SHowever, it is common knowledge that physical activity is essential for good health.
physical activity is essential for good health, both physically and emotionally.
both physically and emotionally. For this reason, here we bring you tips to gradually incorporate your physical activity so that lichen sclerosus is not an impediment to improve your well-being.
What complications can you have when exercising if you suffer from Lichen Sclerosus?
Mainly you will find these 3 complications:
- Additional irritation: Exercising can increase friction in your genital area, which can cause additional irritation to the skin affected by lichen sclerosus. This can lead to increased discomfort, itching and redness, so don’t forget to moisturize the area.
- Risk of skin lesions: As you may already know, skin affected by lichen sclerosus can become more fragile and prone to cracking. The practice of some sports may involve certain movements or the use of certain sports equipment that may increase the risk of abrasions and cracks or worsen already existing injuries. Try to choose non-violent sports with that area and adapt their level of demand to your condition.
- Discomfort during exerciseThe pain and discomfort associated with lichen sclerosus can make exercise uncomfortable or even painful. Unfortunately, this leads to discouraging some women from maintaining an active lifestyle, which can have a negative impact on their long-term physical and emotional health.
Tips for exercising if you have lichen sclerosus
- Consultation with a specialist: Before beginning any exercise program, it is important that you speak with a lichen sclerosus specialist to assess your individual situation and get personalized recommendations for your particular case. Remember that every woman is unique, so this is the first step to recover the sport in your daily life.
- Activities that suit your body: If you enjoy working out in a gym, you can try different machines and exercises until you find the ones you are comfortable with. On the other hand, if what you like are cardiovascular activities, maybe you should get off the bike and this is the perfect time to discover new activities, from different types of dance, directed classes or even jumping rope.
- An extra tip is to start by doing the first few repetitions of the exercise you are going to perform to see how your body feels, if it reacts well, then increase the intensity to suit your feelings. Don’t forget that there are a myriad of deoprtive activities that you can try until you find the one that best suits you, makes you feel active and contributes to improving your health, so look for and experiment with exercise.
- Wear appropriate clothing: Always wear loose-fitting, breathable sportswear that does not cause irritation or additional friction in the genital area. Also, avoid wearing pants that can trap moisture.
- Set goals: Setting goals in sports is essential to track your progress. It is important that these goals are realistic and achievable. For example, if your goal is to walk 15,000 steps a day, it is crucial to adapt and listen to your body in the process until you reach it. Remember that every step forward, no matter how small, is significant on your path to wellness. If one day you don’t reach your daily goal, don’t get discouraged and remember that this is part of an ongoing process towards a healthier life.
- Avoid humid environments: If your favorite activity is swimming, lichen sclerosus should not be an impediment. However, to avoid worsening your symptoms, we recommend the following tips:
Limit the time you wear your swimsuit:
once you get out of the water, it is best to dry off and change to avoid more moisture in the intimate area.
Use specific products for the area before and after the treatment.
The use of moisturizers, such as the Dermnix oil, specifically formulated for women with Lichen Sclerosus, will help the area suffer less impact from the moisture that may be generated.
What else can help you to practice sports if you have lichen?
- Maintain a care routine: After exercise, be sure to gently cleanse the genital area with warm water and dry thoroughly with a soft towel. Apply moisturizers or natural oils to help keep the skin well hydrated and protected.
- Listen to your body at all times: Although it may seem like a no-brainer, be sure to pay attention to your body’s signals during exercise. If you have pain, discomfort or irritation in the vulvar area, stop the activity and rest. It is important not to force and to allow the body to recover properly.
Keep these 2 concepts:
- Extremes are not good: It is not necessary to give up exercise completely because of the disease, but it is not advisable to force yourself to do intense physical activities if they cause you great discomfort. Finding the right balance is critical to your long-term health and well-being. Listening to your body and adapting your activity level according to your needs is key to maintaining a healthy and safe exercise routine.
- Special care during outbreaks: During vulvar lichen sclerosus sclerosus outbreaks, it is super important to pay special attention and adapt your exercise routine. If you have a bad time, do not hesitate to reduce the intensity of your physical activity during this period to avoid worsening symptoms. But at the same time it is important to remember that this should not discourage you or stop you on your way to an active and healthy life in which sport and physical activity play a very important role in improvement.