Overcoming vaginal dryness due to menopause

Menopause does not start overnight, unlike menstruation. It is an evolving process that progresses slowly over many years.

However, during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, a woman can experience a variety of unpleasant symptoms that include gaining weight, joint pain, night sweats, hot flashes, and dryness of the vagina.

Vaginal dryness is also known as vaginal atrophy. It is estimated that about four-fifths of women in pre-menopause condition and half of the postmenopausal women suffer from vaginal dryness.

Also, vaginal dryness mainly affects women between the ages of forty and sixty-five, which means dryness during menopause is a reasonably common condition. Still, it can affect any woman, despite her age.

The mucous membrane hydrates a woman's vagina, and estrogen helps lubricate the mucous membrane, which helps keep the vagina moist, flexible, and strong. Additionally, lubricants contain a small amount of acid, which helps prevent foreign bacteria from infecting the vagina.

Since estrogen plays an essential role in maintaining a moist and healthy vagina, a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause means reducing fat production.

Consequently, the vagina becomes thinner and dehydrated, where the walls of the vagina become weaker and more sensitive. With decreased lubrication, acid levels are almost zero, increasing the risk of yeast and urinary tract infections. These can aggravate the discomfort.

The lower a woman's estrogen levels, the less blood circulates in the pelvic tissues, making the vagina thinner and weaker. Over time, the vulva and vagina appear different as the fat and tissue around the vagina begin to disappear.

Similar to itching being a sign of dry skin, it is also a sign of vaginal dryness in intimate areas. Itching is the result of tightness in the vaginal area due to a lack of moisture. This can be very discomforting and painful.

When mucous membrane does not sufficiently produce lubrication, the vagina becomes extremely dry, which means that penetration is impossible during intercourse.

Menopausal women who experience pain during intercourse often experience vaginal bleeding or scarring after intercourse.

If the penetration is forced despite the dry vagina, it can cause blood to flow through the vaginal wall and blood to enter the vagina. This is why many women who suffer from vaginal dryness avoid intercourse as they find it very painful and do not enjoy it.

Urinary incontinence occurs when the body accidentally leaks urine. Low levels of estrogen cause weakness in the vaginal walls, reducing a woman's ability to control urinary flow.

About forty percent or more of women experiencing menopause also experience urinary incontinence. Also, as mentioned above, the dry vaginal area increases the risk of yeast infections and urinary tract infections in women.

There are several treatment options to help increase the moisture in a woman's vagina. A prevalent treatment is to use a lubricant during intercourse to have a more pleasant experience.

Creams and moisturizers that are topical can be purchased over the counter and often provide relief from itchiness.

Many doctors suggest that women with vaginal dryness increase their sexual stimulation. This may seem like a strange treatment, but sexual stimulation stimulates the mucous glands and helps to moisturize the vagina.