Vulval eczema

[Justwrong68]

I'm writing for advice from anyone who lives with vulval eczema. I've been bleeding there for over a couple of years but treating it as candida. Only now after a punch biopsy, I finally have this result. They've prescribed a steroid cream but I don't know if this is a condition you have for life, which will mean never having sex again. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows more.

I debated posting under a different name but sod it.

I know that right now it may feel like the end of the world but honestly it's not!

Like you, I had spent years thinking I kept getting thrush and consequently never went swimming or put bubbles in my baths. Menopause made it even worse.
The GP did swabs that showed it wasn't thrush and referred me to a dermatologist.
The steroid cream took effect pretty quickly and the dreaded itching cleared up. The follow up appointment a couple of months later showed that it had improved significantly.
I was advised to start 'washing' with 50/50 which available from larger chemists. It is very like Vaseline in consistency (it's 50% petroleum jelly), you don't need to use much so the tub lasts for many months. It felt strange at first but I've got used to being slightly greasy, it certainly beats the itching 😆
That was over 6 years ago, I barely think about it, my love life is absolutely unaffected, I use extra 50/50 when I need a barrier before and after swimming.
On the odd occasion, if I feel a little itchy then I put a bit of the steroid cream on and it settles down.

I wish you luck and look forward to hearing your progress.

Thanks that's reassuring. I'll get the steroid cream this week so hopefully that'll stop the bleeding and the pain. The 50/50 I've been using for about a month and I've got used to it now.