Relieving Vaginal Dryness during Menopause
Vaginal Dryness is a typical symptom of menopause. It is also known as vaginal atrophy.
It is known that there is an estimated eighty percent of women in the perimenopasal stage experience this symptom, while an estimated fifty percent of post menopausal women suffer from it as well. It usually happens to a woman between the ages of forty and sixty, but can also happen to any woman regardless of age.
Vaginal dryness occurs because the mucous membranes located in the mouth of the vagina become depleted by the loss of estrogen levels caused by menopause. The estrogen in a woman’s body helps in the production of this mucous, keeping the vagina moist, flexible, and strong. It is also noted that in this mucous is a low level of acidity which aids in the body’s defense against foreign bacteria that can be found in the vaginal area.
Estrogen plays a vital role in the production of this lubrication, flexibility, and strength in the vagina. When it is depleted, it means depletion in the production of this lubricant.
The result of this symptom is that the vagina then thins out and becomes dry. The vaginal walls become weaker and increasingly sensitive. Because of the lower levels of production, the acidity of the vagina also diminishes allowing a greater chance of infections such as yeast, and urinary tract infections.
Indications of vaginal dryness include, itching, burning, painful urination, painful sexual intercourse, and bleeding after intercourse caused by small tears in the vaginal walls caused by penetration.
Thankfully, there is help in relieving vaginal dryness during menopause. One method is to use lubricants during sexual intercourse. Topical creams and moisturizers can be used to make sexual intercourse more comfortable, pleasurable, and relieve itching.
Another method to increase vaginal moisture is to actually increase your sexual activity. Having intercourse stimulates the mucous glands to produce moisture and it is found that women who abstain from sexual intercourse during this time causes this symptom to become worse. It is important to remember that just because you are going through the symptoms of menopause, there is no reason why you can’t have a happy and healthy sex life. Many women fall under the belief that their lack of desire during this time is just because they are aging. This is not true. Many women who have gone through menopause and have successfully made it through find that their sex life is even better than before.
HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy) is yet another way for this symptom to become lessened. Getting your estrogen levels in balance will allow the body to resume producing the lubricants needed to keep the vagina healthy.
Other relief products are on the market. They can provide moisture for up to twenty-four hours, and many of them are as natural as water. You can apply it topically, or you can insert it inside the vagina to give relief from the dryness, itching, and painful intercourse.
If you are experiencing vaginal dryness caused by menopause be sure to mention it to your physician. He or she can advise you on the right products to use, and can advise you on any adverse effects of any other medications you may be taking.
Topics
Product Reviews
Menopause Product
Popular Read
Top rated Menopause Products
