Best Emollients for Lichen Sclerosus: Community Survey
21
Jul
By Kathy
Kathy Blog

Best Emollients for Lichen Sclerosus: Community Survey

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Community survey insights When vulvar skin feels dry, irritated, or painfully fragile, finding something that brings comfort can make a huge difference in your day. If you spend any time in a lichen sclerosus support group, one question comes up again and again: “What’s the best emollient?” It’s understandable. When your vulvar skin feels dry, irritated, or painfully fragile, finding something that brings comfort can make a huge difference in your day. So we asked our community. About a hundred people living with vulvar lichen sclerosus shared the products they reach for most often, what they love about them, and even which products they’d warn others to avoid. What we discovered wasn’t one magical product. It was something much more helpful. The Products People Mentioned Most Often One person’s holy grail is another person’s flare trigger. Our community mentioned dozens of different products, including: Aquaphor…
Read More
Reclaiming your Voice with Lichen Sclerosus
12
Sep
By Kathy
Kathy Blog

Reclaiming your Voice with Lichen Sclerosus

Imagine spending years being told your symptoms are nothing, only to discover you have a chronic condition that can feel confusing and isolating. This is a reality for countless people living with vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and lichen planus. But what happens when patients decide to stop accepting a dismissal and start advocating for themselves? They become the voices of change. In a powerful episode of Labia Logic, our own Executive Director, Kathy Ruiz-Carter, and fellow advocate Jaclyn Lanthier shared their raw, personal journeys with hosts Dr. Ashley Fuller and Dr. Meredith McClure. They gave us an honest look at what it's really like to navigate diagnosis and treatment for these two often-misunderstood conditions. You can listen to the full episode here: Lichen Sclerosus Up Close and Personal https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/labia-logic/374283c0-f196-013d-1b35-0acc26574db2/12-lichen-sclerosus-up-close-and-personal/90525c74-a5cf-44b6-9ad1-f2679c531c45 Why Your Voice Matters Both Kathy and Jaclyn know firsthand the frustration of feeling unheard. Kathy’s journey from a confusing diagnosis…
Read More
Lichen Sclerosus Advocacy in D.C.!
03
Jun
By Kathy
Blogs, Kathy Blog

Lichen Sclerosus Advocacy in D.C.!

Our Unforgettable Advocacy Trip to Capitol Hill! Hey, incredible LS Warriors! Get ready to cheer because something HUGE just happened for our community! This past week, I had the honor of representing YOU and the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network (LSSN) on a powerful advocacy trip to Washington D.C. – affectionately known as "Hill Day"! It was an intense, emotional, and absolutely rewarding experience, and I can't wait to share all the exciting details! For too long, living with lichen sclerosus has meant facing a confusing and often isolating journey. We know the struggle of delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and feeling like your concerns aren't fully understood. That’s why LSSN exists – to turn that isolation into empowerment and fight for a brighter future for every single one of us! This trip wasn't just about LSSN; it was a massive collective effort! Our incredible team for this inaugural lichen sclerosus…
Read More
LSSN Mini Summit on Vulvovaginal Conditions
20
Sep
By Kathy
Kathy Blog, Kathy Video

LSSN Mini Summit on Vulvovaginal Conditions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLPT8xf6F7U As we all know, education is foundational to health. If we don’t know about our bodies and vulvovaginal conditions, it’s difficult to take care of them. LSSN exists to empower people with LS through evidence-based information and support. And this year, we’re bringing you even more opportunities to access information and experts in the field.  For the first time, LSSN is hosting a mini-summit! The LSSN Mini Summit: Vulvovaginal Conditions is a 3-day virtual event that will provide you with the information and support you need to take control of your vulvar health. It will take place Friday, September 29, through Sunday, October 1, 2023. You'll learn from leading experts about vulvovaginal conditions rarely discussed, including Lichen Sclerosus. Other conditions include: Hidradenitis Suppurativa Persistent Pelvic Nerve Pain Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Lichen Simplex Chronicus Overactive Pelvic Floor Muscles. You'll also be able to connect with…
Read More
A Look at Acceptance and Resilience. What Does It Mean?
22
Aug
By Kathy
Kathy Blog

A Look at Acceptance and Resilience. What Does It Mean?

Listen to the podcast here: Introduction And Excited Announcements Hey, and welcome! I’m so glad you are here to join a round table discussion about the concepts of acceptance and resilience we had live with some members of the LSSN membership. The concepts of acceptance and resilience are critical to living with a condition such as Lichen Sclerosus. In this discussion, I asked our participants a series of questions relating to these concepts and Lichen Sclerosus. If you want to join future discussions? Click the button below. Sign Up What is your definition of acceptance and resilience? What do those words mean to you, specifically concerning your Lichen Sclerosus? Jen: I think of the concept of acceptance as being able to admit that you have a condition/disease without simultaneously giving up/throwing in the towel. Acceptance for me means my Lichen Sclerosus is a part of me, but it is not…
Read More
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Those with Lichen Sclerosus
08
Aug
By Kathy
Kathy Blog

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Those with Lichen Sclerosus

The muscles at the base of your pelvic floor are like any other muscle in your body. They can weaken, hold tension and affect how your body works. Pelvic floor physical therapy can help those with Lichen Sclerosus keep their pelvic floor muscles healthy. That’s where experts like Ashley Stump, PFPT, come in. As a pelvic floor physical therapist, she helps people with various problems, including painful sex, urinary and bowel issues, pelvic pain, and pain from LS. I spoke with Ashley to learn more about what she does as pelvic floor PT and how it benefits those with LS. How does Lichen Sclerosus affect your pelvic floor muscles? If you have LS, you already know the condition affects various parts of your life. It also involves multiple parts of your body, including your pelvic floor.  Just like people can hold tension in their neck muscles, they can also have…
Read More