How to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause
How to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause

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How to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause

How to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause

Usually a direct result of vaginal dryness, irritation is a symptom that many women suffer from during life and particularly in menopause. Finding out how to relieve vaginal irritation is something that many women need to know.
There are many ways you can go about relieving this problem in life. The first thing to do is understand why it happens and although menopause is probably the main one there are 11 other causes. Here we will give you a guide on how to relieve vaginal irritation during menopause.

Simple steps for helping to relieve vaginal irritation

Check your underwear

First, foremost, and most obvious. What underwear do you wear, and is it causing a bigger problem for you? The best material is cotton, and ensure that the garment is loose. This should reduce potential irritation in that area. Although, it could easily be how you wash them…

Review your detergents

This can be a big problem. Laundry detergents can contain dyes and fragrances that can be left on your laundry (from underwear to towels), particularly if they are scented.

Are you using bad tampons

Using the wrong tampons and sanitary towels can cause or exasperate irritation. Try to ensure that what you use is fragrance free.

Are you using the right soaps

Another key one, try to steer clear of bubble baths and strong shower gels. These aren’t kind to that region of the body and can further irritate the problem.

Think about changes to your diet

Ultimately, the drop in estrogen that all menopausal women face is the main reason. As the vaginal walls thin, they dry out, and because of this you get dry and irritated. Balancing your hormones is imperative to dealing with menopause. Lifestyle changes are how this works.
Specifically for vaginal irritation, the best foods are garlic, cranberry juice and yoghurt – applying the latter direct to the area if you so wish. Taking out starchy foods, caffeine, sugar and other refined foods is also advised.

Buy calendula

Good for skin irritation are calendula flowers. Often mixed with St. John’s Wort flower and mixed in a vegetable oil and boiled for as long as an hour. Following this, beeswax can be added, and following cooling this can be applied to the affected area.

More Information about Loss of Libido

It is important that loss of libido is only treated when it actually becomes a problem. Women will experience this is varying degrees of severity. For some it does not pose a problem, but for others it causes a huge amount of frustration. To find out more about loss of libido and the symptoms that are related with it, follow this link.

Other Related Articles:
Tips for dealing with vaginal dryness in post-menopause
A Guide to Women’s Underwear
An introduction to vaginal lubricants
Tips for how to enjoy sex when your wife is suffering with vaginal dryness
Five lifestyle changes for alleviating vaginal dryness during menopause

Sources:
  • "Vaginal Dryness". Mayo Clinic Health Resource. 2007.
  • "Vulvovaginal Symptoms". The Changing Body: Menopause Handbook. www.menopause.org.
  • Love, Susan M.D. Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.