I’m early 30s, I started to feel pain, itching and discomfort on my vulval area and vagina, I struggled for months until a blood blister appeared before going to my GP as I was “embarrassed”. I suffered a few difficult appointments and didn’t feel listened to or understood.

I was eventually diagnosed with lichen sclerosus after a biopsy on my vulval area. I found the diagnosis very difficult to come to terms with, especially after realising the condition is not fully understood, I found that very daunting. The impact to my mental health was very significant.