During the vulvar lichen sclerosus workshop organized in June with Jaclyn Lanthier of Lost Labia chronicles, five casts were produced. Going from a plaster reproduction to a silicone model adapted to different professional contexts is no mean feat, which explains the few months’ delay between the casting and the availability of the tool.
TADAH! it’s the big unveiling.
This kit of five silicone vulvae is accompanied by a booklet featuring testimonials from models. How long does it take from the first symptoms to diagnosis? what are the changes to the vulva’s infrastructure? Everything they wanted to mention is included, in their own words.
Why and for whom is this toolkit useful?
- For people living with vulvar lichen sclerosus, first and foremost. Their bodies need to be represented, and this autoimmune condition needs to be better known and recognized, to avoid medical wandering and delays in diagnosis.
- For doctors and gynecologists who accompany patients. Having different models helps explain how the condition evolves, and where to apply treatment. It also makes it clear that remission does exist, and that the condition can be controlled with proper monitoring and treatment.
- For medical students. If they are exposed to these realistic models during their training, they will be better prepared to suspect and recognize vulvar lichen sclerosus when they encounter patients with certain symptoms in their practice.
Too many patients suffer in silence, their quality of life affected by a condition that is poorly understood, diagnosed and treated. It’s important to raise awareness about the various genital affections that exist in order to bring them out of the closet of embarrassment and taboo.
This toolkit will be accompanied (when ready) by a translation/adaptation of Jaclyn Lanthier’s book on vulvar lichen sclerosus. Because information MUST circulate. Forums for people living with the condition are filled with accounts of medical wandering, poor care and despair. No, it’s not in your head. No, having a glass of wine and trying to relax during sex isn’t enough. It’s about time we take women’s pain seriously and treat them with the competence and respect due to every human being.
Like all SEX-ED + projects, this one is on a volunteer basis and unfunded. So it takes some time to complete. page Alternatively, if you know of a someone willing to fund this type of project, that’s fine too. At the end of the day, it would be nice if this kind of work could stop resting on the shoulders of volunteers…
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