One of the most common, yet under-discussed, symptoms women experience with age is vaginal dryness. If you’ve noticed changes in vaginal comfort, especially as you approach menopause, you’re not alone. This dryness, often beginning in the menopausal transition, is not something you have to accept as part of aging. From hormone loss to medication side effects, understanding the root cause is the first step toward effective relief. Let’s look into why vaginal dryness happens and the best treatment options available.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
For women over forty, the primary culprit of vaginal dryness is often Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). GSM is a condition that describes the changes to the vagina and bladder as estrogen levels decline with age. Since estrogen plays a key role in keeping blood flow high in the vaginal area, this decrease can lead to symptoms like dryness, thinning of vaginal walls, and discomfort during intercourse.
Blood Flow and Lubrication: Estrogen acts as a vasodilator, opening up blood vessels in the vaginal tissue. When estrogen declines, blood flow drops, leading to a dry or even “sandpaper” feeling in the vagina.
Why Vaginal Estrogen is Safe and Effective
For GSM, vaginal estrogen therapy is the first line of treatment. It’s extremely effective and safe for most women, even those with a history of breast cancer. Here’s why it’s a trusted option:
Minimal Systemic Absorption: Studies show that vaginal estrogen barely raises systemic estrogen levels, meaning the hormone stays localized in the vaginal area. Some studies even found that the amount absorbed over a year equals about one birth control pill.
No Increased Risk: The warnings on packaging can be confusing, listing risks associated with oral estrogen (like stroke and heart attack). However, vaginal estrogen does not pass through the liver like oral estrogen, eliminating these risks. In fact, organizations like the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) support its safety for breast cancer survivors.
Other Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
If vaginal estrogen isn’t for you, there are other options:
Vaginal DHEA: A non-estrogen option that can help maintain vaginal health and moisture.
Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants: Look for silicone-based options like Uberlube, which can keep the vaginal tissue well-lubricated without drying it further.
Vaginal Resurfacing Lasers: These treatments can encourage the production of natural moisture in the vaginal tissue, offering another non-hormonal alternative.
Additional Causes of Vaginal Dryness
If your dryness persists or began before menopause, other factors may be at play:
Medications: Certain drugs, including decongestants, beta blockers, and anti-estrogen medications (like tamoxifen), can cause vaginal dryness.
Health Conditions:
Diabetes: Damaged blood vessels, including those in the vagina, can lead to dryness.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis are linked to vaginal dryness.
Anticholinergic Drugs: Often prescribed for overactive bladder, these drugs have side effects that include drying mucous membranes throughout the body.
Treating Pain and Discomfort During Sex
If vaginal dryness is combined with pain during sex, it’s important to identify the cause of the pain first. Pain can lead to involuntary muscle tightening, which restricts blood flow and worsens dryness.
If you’ve experienced trauma or anxiety around sex, or if past experiences with pain make you tense, a holistic approach that includes counseling, physical therapy, and perhaps medication may help. Once you’ve addressed the source of pain, treating dryness becomes more effective.
Choosing the Right Lubricant
Your choice of lubricant can make a big difference. Some ingredients, like glycerin and propylene glycol, can actually dry out the vagina over time. For the best results, choose a silicone-based lubricant. These tend to be hypoallergenic, stay slick longer, and don’t draw moisture away from the vaginal walls.
Seek Help, Don’t Suffer in Silence
Vaginal dryness affects countless women, yet there are effective treatments to manage and relieve this symptom. Whether through estrogen therapy, lubricants, or addressing underlying conditions, your provider can guide you to a tailored solution. Open the conversation with your healthcare provider about dryness and discomfort; you’ll find a range of safe and effective options that can dramatically improve your quality of life.
Listen to Dr Jackson go into detail about this topic! You can hear the full episode on her podcast, Ageless and Outrageous. Be sure to like and follow so you don’t miss an episode!
The team at Foundations at Maitland are all vaginal and sexual health experts who have been helping men and women have a more fulfilling and intimate sex life for over 20 years. If you are considering vaginal rejuvenation, you deserve to only see an expert.
SCHEDULE YOUR VAGINAL REJUVENATION CONSULTATION AT FOUNDATIONS AT MAITLAND
At Foundations at Maitland, in Maitland FL, we offer a full range of non-surgical treatments to help you reach your aesthetic, wellness, and sexual goals. Our providers are highly trained and experienced. We are led by our double-board certified surgeon, Dr Kristin Jackson, who has personally developed all treatment protocols and is closely involved in the day-to-day operations of our medical spa. With her extensive training in all non-surgical cosmetic treatments as well as over 20 years of surgical experience, Dr Jackson is uniquely qualified to ensure our medical spa provides you with the highest standards of quality care and safety.
If you are looking for vaginal rejuvenation doctors near you, we can help! Contact us today for your complimentary consultation!
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