If your intimate skin feels uncomfortable, dry and itchy most of the time, you might be thinking it’s thrush, but before you go and pick up over the counter thrush medication, consider the other possibilities.
Common intimate conditions can often be mistaken for yeast infections because no one ever discusses anything else.
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We asked real women for their experiences with intimate dryness, and so many of them shared that they were misdiagnosed with thrush...
“I remember feeling very itchy and sore. Never ever had realised this was all part of “it” I was constantly told it was thrush”
“I thought I had thrush for years. My whole life, to be honest - even as a teenager. I thought I was ultra allergic to soaps and detergents. I could never figure out what triggered the discomfort. It was only when a GP mentioned that Canesten mostly contained moisturising agents that I twigged: my vulva was itchy because it was dry.”
“I was diagnosed with thrush and was given a course of Canesten. It cleared and then came back, a week later. I got another course. The intensity of the pain etc didn’t go away. I thought I was now going to just have thrush for the rest of my life. And NOBODY I knew would talk about it or had experienced it. It felt so lonely. Weeks later I was desperate until I remembered reading about dry vulvas in that book I had read.”
Spoiler alert: it’s not always thrush. Here’s your Vulva 101 lesson for dry, itchy intimate skin.
Thrush – The Usual Suspect
Thrush (or vaginal yeast infection) is a common fungal infection caused by Candida. You’ll know it by its itchiness, redness, and thick white discharge (think cottage cheese). There’s usually an unpleasant burning sensation, especially during sex or when peeing. It’s super common and can be triggered by antibiotics, hormones, or even just wearing tight, synthetic clothing.
Symptoms:
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Itchy vagina/vulva
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Thick, white discharge
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Redness and swelling
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Pain during sex or urination
If this sounds like you, an antifungal cream or oral medication usually clears it up, but you should seek advice from your GP, especially if it’s a reoccurring issue. Repeated courses of anti-fungals aren't the answer - you need to get to the bottom of the issue causing the symptoms which could be health issues like diabetes or a high sugar diet, disrupted vaginal microbiome due to aggressive cleaning, the contraceptive pill - the list is endless and you may need medical advice to get to the bottom of the problem.
Of course, it may also be something else…
Lichen Sclerosus – The Lesser Known Condition
Lichen Sclerosus is a chronic auto-immune skin disorder that can affect the vulva, causing white patches, thinning skin and potentially irreversible change in vulval anatomy. It’s often confused with thrush because of the itching, but the long-term symptoms are more severe. You might notice cracks or blisters, and over time the skin can scar, tighten and become distorted. The trigger for Lichen Sclerosus is poorly understood but can be triggered by hormone changes, affecting women of all ages, including post-menopause.
If left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious issues, including chronic pain and burning, painful or impossible sex and urination problems. Lichen Sclerosus is an important condition as it carries a very small risk of progression to skin cancer, and unfortunately is often misdiagnosed. It should be treated with specialist medical support from a gynaecologist or dermatologist along with your GP.
Symptoms:
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Intense burning and itching, often worse at night
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White, patchy skin on the vulva and perineum
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Skin that tears easily, causing blisters or ulcers
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Painful sex or urination
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Scarring in more advanced stages
If you think you have lichen sclerosus, you should book an appointment with your GP to check, and get a prescribed treatment, if appropriate.
If it is lichen sclerosus, you may wish to try Victory Oil to relieve symptoms. Hundreds of women who have this condition swear by using Victory Oil every day.
“I had tried other treatments including gynaecologist-prescribed creams for lichen sclerosis so am pleased Victory Oil has relieved the itching associated with my condition. Highly recommend.” - Victory Oil shopper, September 2024
Alongside a Victory Oil treatment, using a gentle, soap-free cleanser like Victory Cleanse can help protect delicate vulval skin and maintain hydration without disrupting your natural microbiome.
Vaginal Atrophy – When Hormones Take a Back Seat
Vaginal Atrophy, also known as a genitourinary syndrome of menopause, is caused by a decrease in oestrogen, typically during perimenopause and postmenopause but also less commonly postpartum in younger women, when hormone levels plummet after giving birth especially with longer term breast feeding. Oestrogen is a key hormone for vaginal health. It keeps your vaginal tissues thick and resilient with healthy levels of collagen and elastin, well lubricated: when hormone levels drop, the vaginal walls become thinner, less stretchy and less lubricated. This leads to discomfort, dryness, painful sex, and a burning sensation that can feel a lot like thrush.
The difference here is that there’s no abnormal discharge or intense itching, although some women do notice a more copious greyish coloured discharge due to the disrupted microbiome which occurs in GSM. Instead, you’ll experience dryness, irritation, and maybe even bleeding after sex. Vaginal Atrophy is very common but often overlooked or misdiagnosed as thrush.
Symptoms:
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Vulval and vaginal dryness
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Burning or irritation
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Painful sex
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Light bleeding post-intercourse
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Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially after sex
All women will experience some level of atrophy during menopause. If your symptoms are causing discomfort, you can seek treatments from your doctor, such as HRT, which may be local or systemic depending on other menopausal concerns, or non-hormonal alternatives such as Victory Oil.
“Having suffered with what the doctor calls vaginal atrophy for years I am delighted to have found this oil that soothes and has treated sore areas so well that they are no longer either red or sore. A few drops before bed has brought much needed relief, I even thought I had thrush, it is not thrush, and I am very glad to have found this natural treatment.” - Victory Oil Shopper, September 2024
If sex feels uncomfortable or dry due to low oestrogen, a natural water-based lubricant like Victory Glide can make intimacy feel more comfortable while supporting your vaginal microbiome.
So, What Now?
If your symptoms persist, don’t just assume it’s thrush and self-medicate. Consult a healthcare professional. Treatments for these conditions differ—while antifungals work for thrush, Lichen Sclerosus needs steroid creams, and Vaginal Atrophy often responds to hormone therapy, oestrogen-based creams and hormone-free alternatives like Victory Oil.
You’re not alone in this. Your intimate skin matters, and it deserves respect.
Whatever your stage of life, the Victory Range is here to help you cleanse, care, and feel comfortable again — with Victory Cleanse for gentle washing, Victory Oil for everyday hydration, and Victory Glide for silky, natural pleasure.
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