Vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom
Vaginal dryness is one of the many embarrassing and painful menopause symptoms. Vaginal dryness occurs when the vagina experiences a loss of moisture and a loss of the soft feeling that is part of the vaginal wall. Women can experience such a symptom at all ages, but most commonly, vaginal dryness is due to menopause.
Vaginal dryness is usually kept away by mucus membranes, otherwise known as vaginal epithelium that can be found at the mouth of the uterus. Estrogen helps the epithelium in the reproduction of lubrication which keeps the vagina moist. Vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom is kept at bay by this lubrication. This moisture carries with it a secondary purpose found in its minor acidity level, which is capable of fighting bacteria and keeping women free from infection.
The causes of vaginal dryness
Primarily, vaginal dryness occurs as a menopause symptom. Falling estrogen levels are capable of irrevocably changing the physical composition of a woman’s body and as a result, symptoms such as vaginal dryness can occur. When such protection from infection fades, vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom can potentially become dangerous.
There are instances when vaginal dryness isn’t as a result of menopause symptoms. These infrequent causes can include:
• Medications for cancer treatment
• Chronic yeast infection
• Sjogren’s syndrome
Menopause symptoms:
Vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom is one of the wide array of menopause symptoms that can affect women as they approach a mature stage of life. Menopause symptoms occur when the body loses its ability to sufficiently reproduce vital hormones that the body needs in order to maintain its fine balance. Other menopause symptoms can include: Irregular periods, weight gain, memory lapses and changes in body odor.
Such causes are not common, and if vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom is identified there are a range of means that could counter the effects of such a symptom.
Treatments for vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom are to try and tackle it at its root cause, which is a deficiency in hormone levels. Primary non-invasive options in order to deal with such a deficiency include trying to maintain the body’s healthy balance. Alternative medicine has been found to hydrate and nourish the body in this regard. Other doctors would recommend a further change in lifestyle which would involve an exercise program in order to counter the effects of vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom. A combination of both of these elements is said to be a good combination.
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most widely used options for women suffering from vaginal dryness as a menopause symptom. Despite carrying with it various side effects its invasive methods have a high success rate in reducing some of the harsh effects of menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness.
Treatments such as Hormone Replacement therapy do have the ability to curb the menopausal symptom of hot flashes, but carry with them a certain degree of risk. For this reason it is important that all treatment options for vaginal dryness are considered carefully.
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Vaginal dryness in post menopausal women
Lubricants for vaginal dryness
Vaginal Dryness Intercourse