A Postmenopausal Woman Is Diagnosed with Lichen Planus

A postmenopausal woman is diagnosed with lichen planus. After several weeks of treatment with a potent corticosteroid ointment, the woman reports improvement in itching, but states that she has extreme vaginal dryness. What will the provider recommend?

A) Increasing the frequency of the corticosteroid application
B) Taking diphenhydramine daily at bedtime
C) Using a topical estrogen cream along with the steroid
D) Using petrolatum ointment to minimize drying