Five lifestyle changes for alleviating vaginal dryness during menopause

Vaginal dryness interferes with one of the most important parts of your life: your relationship. Vaginal dryness turns sex into a painful chore that can create distance between you and your loved one. Thinned vaginal walls, itchy or tender vagina, and lack of natural lubricant are all symptoms and a result of a hormonal imbalance that occurs during menopause.

Normal levels of estrogen are no longer produced when a woman enters menopause, which sends tons of other hormones into a state of flux. There is hope for women who are looking for more than a quick fix and willing to supply the effort. Below are five tricks to help you get your juices flowing and your sex life back.

1. Water. Water. Water.

Did I mention water? Dehydration is the most common, and obvious, reason for vaginal dryness. Keep in mind that consumption of alcohol dehydrates the body.

2. Consider your feminine hygiene products.

The vagina is perfectly capable of self-regulating its ph. Douching and harsh sprays or washes often interfere with the vagina’s work, (have you heard the phrase, “too many cooks in the kitchen?”) and the natural ph-balance is thrown off potentially causing vaginal dryness. Try products that are ph-balanced if any at all.

3. Exercise.

Maintaining a healthy exercise regimen is crucial to the regulation of hormones. Both estrogen and progesterone levels sink at this time in a woman’s life; yoga and cardio can help stimulate their production.

4. Watch what you eat.

By no means starve yourself, but maintaining a normal weight helps to regulate hormones as well as ward off other complications like breast cancer. Soy isoflavons and vitamin E promote reproductive health. Simple sugars and caffeine should always be avoided.

5. Prepare for sex.

The female body needs 20 minutes to think about sex before it is actually prepared for the act. Try extending foreplay or watching a sexy movie. The use of water-based lubricants is perfectly fine; just find the one that’s right for you.

Recommendation for Vaginal Dryness

At the onset of menopause, you should form a closer relationship with your doctor. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new regimen. It is often found that natural lifestyle changes can alleviate many of your menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness. Some more serious cases may require alternative medicines or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To find out more about treatment for vaginal dryness, follow this link.