Vaginal Dryness

Though vaginal dryness can occur at any point in a woman's life, this troubling condition is more likely during menopause due to decreasing levels of estrogen in the body. Hormone changes characteristic of menopause can change the moisture levels in the body, including the vaginal area. Studies report that 40 to 60 percent of women develop vaginal dryness during the menopausal transition.

Other studies indicate that many women are not informed and/or are embarrassed to ask about vaginal dryness. However, learning more about this normal symptom of menopause is one of the best ways to seek a solution and increase one's physical and emotional wellbeing. Continue reading to discover more about vaginal dryness.

Vaginal Dryness	About Vaginal Dryness Vaginal dryness, medically termed "atrophic vaginitis," is defined as a lack of adequate moisture in the vaginal area. The body naturally lubricates the vaginal walls with a thin layer of moisture. This moisture layer is made of a clear fluid excreted through the blood vessel walls around the vagina. When a woman is sexually aroused, these blood vessels receive more blood flow, stimulating the secretion of fluids, thus increasing vaginal lubrication. However, hormonal changes that occur with menopause and other female life events can disrupt this process, both during sex and in daily life. Symptoms of vaginal dryness can range in severity from mild and slightly annoying to significantly life impeding.
Vaginal Dryness Overview About Vaginal Dryness What is vaginal dryness? Symptoms Risk factors Causes of Vaginal Dryness Estrogenic causes Other hormonal causes Other causes Vaginal Dryness Treatments

Many women find that the symptoms of vaginal dryness can affect the way they feel about themselves, sex, and life in general. There are a wide range of possibilities, though the following are the most common symptoms involved with vaginal dryness.

Common Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness:

• Itching• Stinging
• Light bleeding with sex• Irritation
• Painful intercourse• Urinary frequency
• General discomfort• Discomfort when wearing pants
• Burning• Pressure

While these symptoms are common, certain factors can aggravate or worsen vaginal dryness in menopause.

For example, women coming off hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may find their symptoms of vaginal dryness are more severe. Stress is also another major trigger of severe vaginal dryness. Click on the following link to learn more about vaginal dryness, or keep reading below to learn more about the causes of vaginal dryness.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness

During the menopausal transition, the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen in preparation for the cessation of menstruation (i.e. menopause). This decrease in estrogen is the primary cause of vaginal dryness during menopause, which typically begins in a woman's 40s to 50s.

Reduced estrogen levels often cause the vulva and vaginal tissues to become thinner, dryer, and less elastic, a condition called atrophy.

During this time, vaginal secretions also diminish, with a correlating decrease in lubrication. Drops in estrogen also change the Ph level of the vagina, making the once acidic environment more alkaline, which can increase irritation and the likelihood of vaginal infection.

In addition to hormonal causes, other physiological, environmental, and emotional factors can cause or contribute to vaginal dryness.

Physical Causes: • Autoimmune disease (Sjogren's syndrome) • Infection (bacterial, viral; sexually   transmitted) • Certain medications   › Antihistamines   › Cold medications   › Antidepressants   › Cancer treatments • Smoking, Alcohol consumption Environmental Causes: • Douching • Allergic reaction to chemicals in soaps,   detergents, etc.

Emotional Causes: • Stress is a major factor that can cause or increase the severity of vaginal dryness. • Other emotional problems, including anxiety and depression can lead to lack of arousal and vaginal dryness. • Unresolved relationship problems can also result in decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual activity, loss of libido, and problems with arousal.

Fortunately, a woman can take many simple steps toward managing vaginal dryness on her own. Please click on the following link to read about the causes of vaginal dryness, or continue reading about the different treatment options available for vaginal dyness.

Treatments of Vaginal Dryness

Fortunately for menopausal women, vaginal dryness is not a condition that needs to be permanent. There are self management techniques to cope with this symptom, and varying degrees of treatment. It is recommended to begin with the least invasive method and progress up to more drastic treatments if symptoms are unaffected.

To begin with, there are lifestyle changes that can be implemented into a woman´s life, such as dietary adjustments or a different exercise program. Stress reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga can help women to relax if the vaginal dryness is stemming from emotional causes. Communication with one`s partner is recommended.

To ease physical symptoms, over-the-counter products such as vitamin E oil, vaginal moisturizers, or water-based vaginal lubricants may be a boon to sexual comfort.

professional. Surgical or pharmaceutical options exist, though these carry a higher risk of side effects. Vaginal estrogen therapy is an option in the treatment of vaginal dryness, which may be an alternative with a lower risk of side effects than hormone replacement therapy due to a minimized absorption into the bloodstream. In any case, consultation with a doctor is strongly advised with these options due to the possibility of complications.

Click the following link to learn specific treatments for vaginal dryness. The most effective treatments for vaginal dryness typically combine lifestyle changes and alternative medicines.

Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.

Browse Articles About Vaginal Dryness Organized By:

Review on January 30th, 2012 5 Ways to Feel Sexy When You’re Suffering from Vaginal Dryness For many women, the onset of menopause – and, in particular, the onset of vaginal dryness... Review on January 27th, 2011 What Causes Vaginal Dryness During Menopause? For many women, menopause can often seem like cruel and unusual punishment. Few symptoms... Review on January 16th, 2012 Talking to Your New Partner About Vaginal Dryness It can be an intimidating and uncomfortable experience talking to a new partner about the... Review on January 11th, 2012 5 Products To Avoid When Suffering from Vaginal Dryness Relentless and just plain annoying, vaginal dryness during menopause can seem like an uninvited... Review on December 9th, 2011 How to alleviate vaginal itching in menopause Vaginal dryness is one of the many menopausal symptoms that can cause discomfort. It affects... Review on December 9th, 2011 Q&A: What does vaginal dryness in perimenopause mean? Vaginal dryness is just one of the symptoms that is widely associated with menopause, the... Review on November 30th, 2011 Q&A: What can be done about vaginal dryness during sex? Vaginal dryness is an uncomfortable and distressing menopausal symptom, especially for women who... Review on November 30th, 2011 Q&A: What are the symptoms of vaginal dryness? Vaginal dryness can be one of the most distressing symptoms of menopause because it can... Review on November 23th, 2011 Why do I have vaginal dryness? Vaginal dryness occurs when the vagina does not produce enough lubrication, potentially leading to itching and chaffing in and around the area... Review on November 23th, 2011 How to use progesterone for vaginal dryness relief Vaginal atrophy is a common symptom of menopause that can hinder your ability to enjoy... Review on November 11th,s 2011 Can black cohosh cure vaginal dryness? Although it is possible for vaginal dryness to occur at any time in a woman’s life, it is fair more common to be seen...

Review on November 11th, 2011 Are there any home remedies recommended for vaginal dryness? Menopause does many things to a woman’s body but one of the most frequent and uncomfortable... Review on October 31st, 2011 Vaginal dryness: How to choose between cream, lubrication and suppositories Throughout life vaginal dryness can be a common problem for a woman. Inadequate lubrication... Review on October 28th, 2011 How to use coconut oil to cure vaginal dryness A sign and symptom of menopause that can occur at any time in life is vaginal dryness. However... Review on October 28th, 2011 Tips for finding relief from vaginal dryness in menopause Vaginal dryness can be a distressing and embarrassing symptom of menopause, so finding... Review on October 28th, 2011 What natural remedies are available for vaginal dryness? Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause that many women grapple with... Review on October 24th, 2011 What products are available to alleviate vaginal dryness? Vaginal dryness can be a major problem for women (and men). Not only is it physically... Review on October 24th, 2011 Does my underwear cause vaginal dryness? No, it doesn’t. However, if you’re post menopausal and adjusting to lower levels of hormones, your underwear may be making your problem worse... Review on October 24th, 2011 Phytoestrogens and vaginal dryness One of the most common, and uncomfortable, menopausal symptoms that you can have, vaginal dryness is a complaint of up to 60% of women... Review on Jun 19th, 2011 How to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause Usually a direct result of vaginal dryness, irritation is a symptom that many women suffer from... Review on Jun 14th, 2011 How to deal with your wife’s vaginal dryness You’ve been with your partner for many years. Sexual activity has been part and parcel of your successful relationship (usually), but now she’s... Review on Jun 06th, 2011 Tips for dealing with vaginal dryness in post-menopause Vaginal dryness affects, on average, 60% of post-menopausal women, and is often the symptom... Read all Vaginal Dryness Articles

Review on January 28, 2010 The Effect of Social and Psychological Factors on Menopause and Vaginal Dryness It is well known that older women experience changes in sexual functioning, which includes the pain of vaginal dryness. Menopause is often... Review on January 19, 2010 Experiences of Women's Vaginal Dryness Differs from Country to Country Previous articles have referred to psychological and social factors that influence the symptoms of menopause. Vaginal dryness was one of the...

Review on January 19, 2010 Device to Aid Vaginal Dryness UroMetrics stresses Eros is a medical device not a sex toy... Review on December 03, 2009 Male Circumcision May Exasperate the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness Vaginal dryness may stem from a source other than within the female. Recent studies have shown that male circumcision may have an impact... Read All Vaginal Dryness Research