Why I hesitated to check my vulva but you shouldn't delay.

Lichen Sclerosus Podcast

Did you know you were supposed to check your vulva each month?

Yep!

But what exactly does that mean? What are we looking for? What do we do if something doesn't look right?

In this episode, I share my first experience checking my vulva and provide you with step-by-step directions on how to check yours.

First time I checked my vulva

So here's the thing. I started this podcast. Being completely ignorant of the practical knowledge needed to be known with Lichen Sclerosus.

I didn't know I was supposed to be checking my vulva until I started going on Instagram and following some wonderful accounts that gave me so much information.

So I started seeing posts saying, "It's time of the month to check your vulva." And I'm like, "Okay. I'm supposed to check my vulva. Oh, okay. I didn't know that my doctor didn't tell me that."

I can be really bad at taking care of myself and weeks went by without me checking before I saw another post telling me to check my vulva. Then a whole month past and the original account posted again to check my vulva.

Now I'm like, okay, am I stalling or what is going on? So I had to really think about it. Why am I not just doing it? It's not that I'm prudish. I've touched myself before. I've looked when there was something that didn't feel right. So what was the deal?

I realized I was scared. I was petrified of what I might see because by this time I've started feeling changes to my anatomy. I've seen the pictures all over Google. I've seen the white spots. I've seen the lesions. I've seen the blisters.

My first blister in 2018 freaked me out and sent me to the doctor. I didn't want to see that again. That scared the crap out of me. Subconsciously I was stalling because I was scared.

Once I came to the realization I was scared, I set a date to check my vulva.

Can I tell you? As the day got closer I was getting more nervous. I was anxious and had butterflies in my stomach. I felt ridiculous and dumb but I couldn't help it.

So the day comes and I go about my day. I have multiple opportunities where I can do it, but I want to wait until everybody goes to sleep. I'm like, okay, I'm going to treat this like a date. So I'm going to get up. I'm going to shower. I'm going to shave because I wanted to make sure I can see everything that's going on.

Once I'm ready I get my little mirror that's perfect.

I lay down on the bed. Try to get comfortable.

I start checking the check from the top to the bottom. The way we're going to talk about it.

And.

Yeah, I'm not seeing what I was afraid of. There was no reason for me to be afraid. None whatsoever. And once I did it. It was like a relief. It's done. It's over with.

Until next month.

But I think the first I was the worst time because, after that, I knew what to expect.

Why did I share this?

My whole point in telling you this story is to say if you haven't checked yourself and you know you need to check yourself, think about why it is that you haven't checked yourself. Be honest with yourself. It's okay to be scared.

I wish somebody would've told me that because I was really beating myself up.

I'm here to tell you you're not dumb. It's not stupid. You have every right to be anxious and nervous about what you might see, especially if you've been in some of these forums and groups or these medical pages and you've seen the pictures. They will put the fear in you.

So you are totally justified, girlfriend. But don't let that stop you because it's way too important. And chances are when you do look down there, you're going to be fine. You're going to be able to deal with whatever it is that you see and now you know. Isn't that a beautiful thing? Now you're not wondering. Now your brain isn't running away with itself.

Check out the website show notes to see @Talk_peach's IG post.

Other great Instagram accounts talking about checking your vulva.

• https://www.instagram.com/vulvarcancerawareness/
  • Vulvarcancerawareness
  
  
• https://www.instagram.com/lichensclerosusuk/
  • lichensclerosusuk
  
  
• https://www.instagram.com/lichensclerosuspodcast/
  • lichensclerosuspodcast
  
  

Virtual Meetup

I have an idea for how we can stay connected. I want to do a monthly virtual meetup so we can connect and talk to each other and just hang out like girlfriends.

We can talk about Lichen Sclerosus. We can talk about life. We can talk about anything that we want to. And we can connect with other sisters who are going through the same things, who might have a little bit of knowledge that can help us.

And I want to see your faces. I love talking to you on Instagram. I love talking to you through email, but I want to see your faces too.

So if that's something that you think you might be interested in. I have a page set up at

lichensclerosuspodcast.com/connect.

If you want me to keep you informed as this develops. If you want to give me your input into what you might like. What you want to see. How you want to do it. What times are we good for you? If you want to do it! Then go to lichensclerosuspodcast.com/connect, enter your email address and I will email you weekly or biweekly and keep you updated.

Once we have enough people, then we can set a date and see each other! So the only way you'll be invited into the meetup is if you are on the email list, because, I'm going to shoot an email and there's going to have a password so we don't get zoom bombed.

So if you're interested signup today and let's meet up!

Mentioned in this episode:

Reconnecting and Healing with the 2024 Wholistic Healing Summit

Does Lichen Sclerosus make you feel isolated or affect your relationships? You're not alone. The Lichen Sclerosus Support Network's Wholistic Healing Summit is here to help you find connection, support, and healing. This free, virtual event focuses on "Reconnecting & Healing." Gain expert knowledge on managing LS; learn strategies for communicating with your family, friends, and partner; get tools to improve the intimacy in your relationship; and discover tips to prioritize your well-being. Join empowering sessions, connect with others who understand, and learn from top medical professionals. Secure your spot today. Don't miss out—visit http://www.lssupportnetwork.com/whs and register today. Let's start this journey to greater understanding, connection, and healing together!