Your crotch might be trying to tell you something, and it’s not just that your jeans are too tight.
“Vulvar skin is not fragile — it’s responsive,” Dr. Keira Barr, a board-certified dermatologist working with Plum Vagiceuticals, told The Post. “When it’s inflamed, irritated or dry, that’s not a flaw. It’s a signal from your nervous system that something deeper needs attention.”
Still, Barr said vulvar skin problems are often treated as cosmetic issues, worse, “dismissed, misdiagnosed, or internalized as something women should just put up with.”
That kind of neglect can leave women feeling ashamed, uncomfortable and disconnected from their bodies — which, Barr said, only makes the skin more sensitive to stress.
“The nervous system becomes hyper-alert, the skin barrier weakens, and the cycle continues,” she explained.
To break that cycle, Barr highlighted three vulvar skin conditions many women haven’t heard of so you don’t have to suffer in silence.
#1: Lichen sclerosus
This chronic inflammatory condition causes discolored, patchy and thinning skin on the genitals, often leading to tearing, itching or burning, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Lichen sclerosus can make sex, urination or bowel movements painful. If left untreated, it may even increase the risk of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Scientists still don’t know what causes it, but it’s not contagious. While anyone can get it, postmenopausal women and girls who haven’t hit puberty are at a higher risk.
Your chances of developing lichen sclerosus might also increase if you have an autoimmune disease, allergies, diabetes or a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
#2: Lichen simplex chronicus
This condition is driven by chronic scratching, which Barr said is often tied to stress, anxiety or other psychiatric conditions. Skin allergies and irritants can trigger it too.
All that scratching thickens the skin — and the thicker it gets, the itchier it becomes. That kicks off a vicious cycle of itch-scratch-repeat, according to Northwell Health’s Katz Institute for Women’s Health.
The vulvar skin can become leathery and turn red or purple as a result. Persistent scratching can lead to pain, tearing, weeping and a sticky white discharge.
Breaking the cycle is the main goal of treatment. That means tackling the root cause, whether through mental health support like cognitive behavioral therapy or topical treatments to reduce inflammation and itching.
#3 Contact dermatitis
This itchy rash flares up when the skin touches something that irritates it or triggers an allergic reaction, according to the Mayo Clinic.
On the vulva, Barr said the usual culprits are laundry detergents, menstrual pads and hygiene products.
When the rash affects Black or brown skin, it often shows up as dark, leathery patches. On white skin, it may look dry, cracked or scaly. It can also cause bumps, blisters, swelling, burning and pain — especially during sex or while inserting a tampon.
The good news: Contact dermatitis usually clears up on its own once the irritant is gone and the skin has time to heal.
Mild cases may fade in days or weeks. More stubborn ones might take longer and need prescription creams like topical steroids to calm the inflammation.
