Vaginal Dryness Help

Vaginal dryness is a common problem for pre-menopausal women with low levels of estrogen, who may include breastfeeding mothers, women who have had a hysterectomy and those who have received chemotherapy.

Whilst vaginal dryness can and does affect women of all ages, it is particularly prevalent during menopause, affecting over 50% of women aged between 51 and 60. Because the symptoms of vaginal dryness can be painful at worst and uncomfortable at best, it is best you understand the symptoms, causes and treatment of vaginal dryness in order to help overcome it. Read over the information outlined on the page below.

Reasons for vaginal dryness before menopause:

vaginal dryness ages Research says 17% of women between the ages of 18 and 50 experience problems with vaginal dryness during sex. This is primarily the result of not being sufficiently sexually aroused, caused by reasons such as lack of foreplay or fatigue and stress. Other reasons for pre-menopausal vaginal dryness may include the hygiene products such as sprays, soaps and some washing powers. Some medications (including antidepressants) may also have the effect of drying out mucous membranes, including those in the vaginal tissues.

Reasons for vaginal dryness during menopause:

Quick Fact:
Vaginal Atrophy1 is the medical term for vaginal dryness.

During menopause the ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen and so its levels begin to decrease. Indeed, one of the first signs of reduced estrogen as caused by menopause is reduced lubrication during sex. Without estrogen, the skin and support tissues of the vulva and vagina become thinner and dryer. Around 58% of women experience vaginal dryness during and after menopause – this means that in the United Kingdom there are some 3 million women.

How can I be sure that I am suffering from vaginal dryness?

In addition to a loss of lubrication and added pain during sex, there are a host of other symptoms that may be associated with vaginal dryness.

• Pain at other times – Vaginal dryness can make it painful to sit, stand, exercise, urinate or even work!
• Change in the vagina´s appearance – The lips of the vulva will begin to look different as a result of being thinner.
• Changes to the vaginal discharge – Many women find that their discharge changes to be more watery, slightly discolored and smelly and may be accompanied by a burning feeling.
• Changes in feeling – Changes can be difficult to accept and the pain and discomfort caused by the condition can lead to a loss of self confidence and sense of identity.

What can I do to help overcome vaginal dryness?

Obviously if your vaginal dryness is causing significant pain and discomfort you should visit your doctor to rule out any other underlying medical symptoms. Aside from this, there are some tips that can help relieve vaginal dryness.

vaginal dryness irritations For example, make sure to avoid perfumed soaps and use creams to treat irritations. There are also a host of local estrogen treatments (along with vaginal rings, creams and pessaries) that your doctor can inform you about. In addition to that there are many alternative remedies that help stimulate estrogen production and thus reverse the effects of the thinning and drying of the vagina.

For more specific vaginal dryness help click the following link.