What Causes Vaginal Dryness During Menopause?

For many women, menopause can often seem like cruel and unusual punishment. Few symptoms highlight this feeling more than vaginal dryness. One of the more frustrating, painful and often embarrassing menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness affects more than 60% of all women going through menopause.

While avoiding vaginal dryness simply isn’t possible for most women, understanding the symptoms and their causes can help in finding some relief. Read on to learn more about this menopausal symptom and what you can do to keep it under control.

Estrogen, Lifestyle and Other Causes of Vaginal Dryness

As with most menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness is primarily caused by the sharp drop in estrogen levels during the onset of menopause. This causes your vaginal walls to become thinner, a condition known as atrophy. Additionally, less blood, and by extension, less lubrication makes its way into your pelvic organs, leading to unpleasant symptoms like itching, burning, and pain during intercourse.

Though menopause is the primary driver of vaginal dryness in most women, certain activities and stressors can make the problem worse, including:

• Douching – Cleansing your vagina with liquid can cause it to become dry and irritated.

• Emotional problems – Excessive stress, depression and anxiety all work to prevent sexual arousal, increasing the likelihood of vaginal dryness.

• Medications – Many over-the-counter medications, especially cold and allergy medications containing decongestants, diminish moisture levels in your vagina and throughout your body.

• Soaps, hand lotions, vinegar, etc. – Many women seeking relief to vaginal dryness will attempt applying lotions and other products to their vagina. Though these methods can provide temporary relief, they often make the problem worse over the long term.

Making certain lifestyle changes can help you to relieve many of the symptoms of vaginal dryness. Avoiding products that make your symptoms worse and taking time in your day for pleasurable activities to reduce stress are a good first step. If, however, these methods prove ineffective, you may want to consider herbal remedies or prescription medications. A medical professional can help you choose the right product for relieving your symptoms.

Vaginal dryness during menopause is painful, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Understanding what causes your symptoms will allow you to find the best means to relief. Click the following link for more information about vaginal dryness.