Vaginal dryness – how to deal with it?

Vaginal dryness is often associated with the changes that occur in the body during menopause , but it is not limited to this time. It can reduce the quality of life, negatively affect sexual life, and even make it difficult to practice sports. However, we do not always realize that this problem affects people of all ages - the cause of vaginal dryness may be hormonal changes unrelated to menopause, as well as a number of other reasons. It also happens that it is not a symptom, but a cause of vaginal diseases. So let's look at the facts about this condition.

Symptoms

The most noticeable symptom of vaginal dryness is... of course, the feeling of dryness in intimate areas. This sounds like an obvious statement, unfortunately it is not always true. Sometimes it is wrongly believed that this is a normal condition and "it just happens", sometimes we do not pay attention to the signals that our own body gives us... So let's clarify what we actually mean by the term "vaginal dryness". It can be tension and discomfort felt in the intimate area, as well as burning, itching and pain caused by even slight pressure stimuli.

A significant symptom is pain during sexual intercourse. The use of lubricants appropriate to our needs during sexual intercourse may be a temporary help, but sometimes it turns out to be insufficient, making sexual life difficult.

Also read the article " Dyspareunia – what is it and how is it treated ?".

Causes

The body of a healthy person with a uterus produces mucus responsible for, among other things, vaginal lubrication and protection against damage and infections. It is essential during sexual intercourse, but not only then. Due to its insufficient amount in the intimate areas, burning, pain and discomfort appear, which - if ignored - can cause further problems affecting sexual life, as well as everyday functioning. Untreated vaginal dryness can cause infections (lack of lubrication also means a lack of a protective barrier) or mechanical injuries, and during pregnancy it can also be dangerous for the fetus. The causes of dryness are related to both health problems and lifestyle.

Changes in the hormonal system

Very often, vaginal dryness is associated with changes in the hormonal system. This is a rather complex system – its balance depends on many factors and it is not uncommon for there to be some fluctuations in it, resulting from the menstrual cycle , for example . A more serious disruption of this balance unfortunately has its consequences in the form of various ailments – vaginal dryness is one of them.

If the level of estrogen in the body is too low, vaginal lubrication drops significantly. We can observe this during the menstrual cycle - duringovulation, vaginal lubrication increases; the vagina produces mucus, which moisturizes its walls and protects them from damage. It is then present in greater quantities, allowing sexual intercourse and facilitating fertilization. The luteal phase, i.e. the days preceding menstrual bleeding, is characterized by reduced estrogen levels, which naturally reduces lubrication, which is not a cause for concern. However, if vaginal dryness also appears during ovulation, it may be a sign that the hormones are not doing their job well.

The cause of vaginal dryness may also be improperly selected hormonal contraception – in such cases it is necessary to seek medical advice.

Vaginal Dryness During Pregnancy and After Childbirth

Huge hormonal changes can be expected during pregnancy and after delivery. Vaginal dryness can occur in the first months of pregnancy and often disappears as it progresses. However, such symptoms should always be consulted with a gynecologist to be sure that they do not result from a more serious problem, such as an intimate infection , which may threaten the health of the fetus.

The problem of vaginal dryness after childbirth is also not uncommon - childbirth is, after all, a huge effort and numerous changes in the body, including hormonal changes, this time related primarily to lactation. Returning to the pre-pregnancy state will take some time, but usually vaginal moisture normalizes almost spontaneously.

Menopause and vaginal dryness

The causes of dryness are also rightly seen in the changes that occur during menopause. The vaginal walls become less elastic and more susceptible to damage, and the reduced level of estrogens can even lead to atrophic vaginitis (although it is worth mentioning that people of almost all ages struggle with this condition). Vaginal dryness affects more than half of people during menopause - so it is a common symptom, but not "obligatory"; in addition, there are remedies for menopausal vaginal dryness (we will return to this topic).

Taking medications

Vaginal dryness sometimes occurs as a companion to other health problems that are not related to hormonal balance, such as various infections. Known factors that affect this condition include taking medications, such as for uterine fibroids, diabetes, or urinary incontinence, as well as antibiotics and antidepressants. If you have questions or concerns about the relationship between your treatment and vaginal dryness, do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.

Lifestyle and Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is also sometimes caused by our lifestyle and daily habits. Factors such as excessive stress, sleep deprivation or an improper diet weaken the body and negatively affect the overall health. The cause of vaginal dryness can also be seemingly trivial things that seem insignificant to many of us - the use of specific intimate hygiene products, an allergenic laundry detergent used for underwear, the material from which the underwear is made... Sometimes, the cause (even if only partially) lies in wearing too tight clothes that irritate sensitive intimate areas, or in contact with chlorinated water in a swimming pool. It is worth observing the circumstances in which problems with vaginal dryness recur and trying to eliminate their causes.

How to treat vaginal dryness?

First and foremost: this should be done under professional supervision. There are various methods to eliminate this condition and it is best to entrust the selection of the right one to qualified people.

If vaginal dryness is primarily related to sexual activity, gels and lubricants can be helpful. There are various formulas available on the market – most often water-based, silicone-based or oil-based. It is best to choose water-based lubricants due to their delicate composition. Unfortunately, they dry out quite quickly and may require reapplication. This is also the only type of lubricant that works well with erotic gadgets – it is not recommended to use them if you are using silicone-based gels.

Condoms are also at risk when it comes to oil-based products, as the oils can cause the latex to crack. It is important to remember that this is only a temporary solution – if the dryness persists despite moisturising, it is worth considering other methods.

How to restore vaginal moisture?

Vaginal dryness medications can be obtained in most pharmacies without a prescription, although it is certainly better to seek medical advice first. Among the available preparations, we will find non-hormonal and hormonal agents - specialists recommend starting with the former, and these are the only ones we can get in a pharmacy without a prescription. Vaginal suppositories are most often used. It is good to choose those with lactic acid in the composition - this will correspond to the natural pH of the vagina.

Another important ingredient is hyaluronic acid. It occurs naturally in the human body, but its production decreases significantly with age. Providing it to the body supports many regenerative processes, and local application increases its effectiveness.

Vaginal suppositories are also available in a version containing estrogen, but these require a prescription and are mainly prescribed to people going through menopause.

Read also the article: vaginal moisture and sexual arousal .

Aesthetic medicine for vaginal dryness

Symptoms still not going away? An alternative solution is aesthetic medicine treatments. They are most often used in the case of people in menopause, but are recommended for patients of all ages, especially if the problem of vaginal dryness is recurrent.

For example, we can choose from laser technology treatments that help shrink the vagina and regenerate it. There are safe, non-invasive and painless treatments that stimulate vaginal cells to function properly, which helps eliminate dryness and strengthen the vaginal walls.

Another helpful procedure is platelet-rich plasma therapy. It allows for better vaginal hydration by injecting it with a concentrate obtained by centrifuging blood taken from the patient.

The method of injecting hyaluronic acid is also very effective. As we have already mentioned, it supports tissue regeneration, thanks to which the vaginal walls have a chance to regain the right elasticity and moisture, and pain and dryness will be just an unpleasant memory.

Prevention

Vaginal dryness and the pain associated with it can significantly reduce the quality of life, so it is good to take care to prevent this problem before it appears in our lives.

• Let's remember about periodic visits to the gynecologist and let's not hide information about our own symptoms - vaginal dryness (similarly to other ailments) is nothing to be ashamed of, and the doctor will not judge us, but help us. ;)
• Let's take care of a proper lifestyle - a diet that provides the necessary nutrients, getting enough sleep, avoiding excessive use of stimulants and excessive stress is particularly important.
• Let's review our sexual activity - are lubricants, condoms and other related items properly suited to our needs?
• Let's also remember to follow the most important rules of intimate hygiene, such as choosing the right cleaning agents (which do not include ordinary soap - its alkaline pH weakens the natural protective mechanisms; it is better to look for delicate liquids with lactic acid in the composition) or wearing underwear made of materials friendly to the intimate area (such as cotton). Let's avoid vaginal douching, which can disturb its delicate environment.

Regardless of whether vaginal dryness is the result of health problems or changes related to pregnancy, for example, let's be aware that this condition does not have to be ignored and wait for it to go away on its own. Let's not hesitate to consult a doctor. There is no reason to get used to a situation in which pain and discomfort are our companions all the time.

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