Vaginal dryness is a symptom that occurs during and after menopause, and it can also happen at any age and for different reasons. Vaginal dryness usually happens due to low estrogen levels. Estrogen hormone keeps the vaginal lining lubricated, elastic and thick. It is a common problem, but people do not seek treatment because they don’t realize it is a health issue and can get help. Dr. Anita Veerabhadrappa-Meiner in Boca Raton helps women struggling with vaginal dryness, by offering treatments that enable them to enjoy their sexual life.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Pain during sex and loss of lubrication. After menopause, painful sex and problems with lubrication increase. Thinning and weakening of the skin around the vagina can damage it easily. This damage usually occurs during sex, mostly if lubrication is inadequate. Even mild friction can cause discomfort and pain. Painful sex can contribute to loss of sexual desire.
Pain during other times. In most cases, vaginal dryness does not cause pain during sex only, but it can cause discomfort when sitting, exercising, working, urinating, or standing. Vaginal dryness can affect your daily life, whether you are sexually active or not. This has a detrimental effect on everyday life.
Changes to the vaginal discharge. Most women find their vaginal discharge has changed, becoming more discolored, watery, and slightly smelly, and they can experience a burning feeling and irritation. These symptoms occur due to hormonal changes, and they don’t indicate something severe.
How to treat and prevent vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness treatment depends on the cause. Women experiencing problems with inadequate vaginal lubrication because of hormonal changes usually benefit from estrogen therapy. In many cases, doctors recommend treatments like vaginal estrogen inserts. For most women, especially those with hot flashes symptoms, in addition to vaginal dryness, a skin patch or oral medication that releases estrogen to the body is an option.
In some cases, these two approaches can be used to treat vaginal dryness. In addition to estrogen therapies, other approaches can solve vaginal dryness problems. They include moisturizers and lubricants.
Causes of vaginal dryness
Changes in hormones. A decrease in estrogen levels during perimenopause or menopause, after delivery, or during breastfeeding is one of the most common causes of vaginal dryness. Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can lead to low estrogen and a decrease in lubrication in the vagina.
Insufficient arousal. In most cases, vaginal dryness can result from low libido or sexual problems with your partner. If your partner performs poorly and ejaculates early, it can contribute to vaginal dryness.
Irritants. The chemicals in hygiene products, dyes, soaps, and perfumes can cause problems. Most women have allergies to soaps and detergents. There can be irritants on things like towels or underwear. Other allergens can include objects and lubricants that might be placed in the vagina.
Anxiety. Emotional and psychological factors like anxiety and stress can interfere with sexual desire and cause vaginal dryness. When you are anxious, there is not enough blood flow.
Vaginal dryness can cause pain and discomfort in the pelvic and vaginal regions. There are various causes for this condition. Vaginal dryness is severe, and some treatments can help treat it, and there are ways you can prevent it. If your vaginal dryness does not go away even with treatment, discuss it with your doctor so you can get the proper treatment.
