Listen up Fantasy Baes! Menopause is a natural biological process, but a lot of people don't want to talk about it. We know that's downright foolish. Menopause is the natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. All females go through it. While menopause brings about various changes in a woman's body, one common symptom is vaginal dryness. It's time to talk about menopause and how it affects the vagina, especially when it comes to vaginal dryness. In this blog, we aim to educate you about menopause and provide some tips on how to deal with vaginal dryness during menopause.
Understanding Vaginal Dryness During Menopause
Studies show that about half of menopausal women experience vaginal dryness 2. 90% of those women don't seek any help, believing that vaginal dryness is just "something to deal with". This is far from the truth. While vaginal dryness may be a common symptom, it still affects only half of women going through menopause. Therefore, it's important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness with other symptoms, such as itching, burning, and pain during intercourse, could be GSM. GSM stands for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, and can significantly reduce a woman's quality of life, much like other chronic conditions 2. If you believe you may have GSM, or are suffering from a decreased quality of life because of menopause, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Causes of Vaginal Dryness in Menopausal Women
Menopause is marked by a decrease in estrogen levels. The mucus membranes in the vagina are quite susceptible to changes in hormones, so when estrogen levels decrease, it can lead to a decrease in vaginal lubrication and tissue elasticity 1.
Physical changes in the vaginal tissue can also cause vaginal dryness during menopause. With reduced estrogen, the vaginal lining becomes thinner, less elastic, and more susceptible to dryness and irritation 1.
Symptoms and Effects of Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness can manifest as itching, burning, soreness, and pain during intercourse. It may also lead to increased susceptibility to vaginal infections.
Vaginal dryness can significantly affect a woman's quality of life, causing discomfort, self-consciousness, and reduced sexual satisfaction 1.
Medical Treatments for Menopausal Vaginal Dryness
Currently, the best medical treatment available for treating GSM is vaginal estrogen therapy 3.Vaginal estrogen therapy is a hormonal based therapy that can be applied as a cream, taken as a tablet, or inserted into the vagina in a ring form. Vaginal estrogen therapy can thicken the skin of the vaginal canal and increases natural lubrication. It restores the normal pH balance of the vagina and can reduce the risk of UTIs. Vaginal estrogen therapy is well-tolerated by most women, but your doctor can only prescribe it.
Over the Counter and Natural Measures to Help with Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal estrogen therapy might not be the best option for you. Sometimes getting to a doctor and getting prescribed medicine can be cost-prohibitive (or there may be a number of other reasons you choose to go a more over the counter route to your vaginal care). Here are some common treatment options that don't require a doctor:
- Vaginal lubricants 2: These are non-hormonal and should be used before intercourse. Vaginal lubricants can be water, oil, or silicone based and should be applied to the vagina, vulva, or penis before sex. It's important to note that regular sexual intercourse is important in helping and maintaining vaginal lubrication during this time.
- Vaginal moisturizers 2: These are moisturizers that should be used multiple times a week. Like lubricants, these can be applied directly to the vagina to help alleviate dryness.
- Slippery Box: Our Slippery Box is an easy to take, over the counter, chlorophyll pill that is guaranteed to increase your body's overall moisture! These are 100% natural and will get you feeling nice and wet! We're sure your partner will like it too!
Additional Measures for Managing GSM or Vaginal Dryness Symptoms 3
- Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can contribute to overall well-being and potentially ease GSM symptoms.
- Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles may improve blood flow to the vaginal area and enhance sexual function.
- Regular sex: Engaging in sexual activity, with or without a partner, can help maintain vaginal health by promoting blood flow and natural lubrication.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can dry you out, including your vagina!
- Gentle cleansers: Using mild, fragrance-free cleansers for intimate hygiene can help prevent irritation and dryness. We offer two great gentle cleansers that will help with vaginal moisture and keep you feeling fresh and confident! Check out our Refresh Plant-Based Intimate Body Wash for a pH balancing clean that also smells great! It'll keep you feeling clean, while ensuring your vagina's microbiome stays in top shape! Want a more all-around body cleanser? Our Yummy Vegan Body Wash is gentle and safe enough to use daily, and will leave your entire body feeling great! As an added bonus, your skin will feel nice and soft.
- Avoiding irritants: Certain products, such as scented soaps and douches, can worsen vaginal dryness and should be avoided.
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When to Seek Medical Help
- Importance of consulting a doctor for GSM symptoms: If you experience persistent vaginal dryness or other GSM symptoms, it is crucial to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Differential diagnosis ruling out other conditions: Your doctor will perform a thorough evaluation to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, such as lichen sclerosus or lichen planus.
Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of menopause, and let's face it, it can be uncomfortable. But that's no reason to shy away from talking about it or doing something about it! Understanding its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options will help empower you to take action and improve your vaginal health and overall well-being during this transitional phase of life.
References
- “Current treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy.” 2018. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6074805/.
- “Don't ignore vaginal dryness and pain.” 2021. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dont-ignore-vaginal-dryness-and-pain.
- “Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).” n.d. Brigham and Women's Hospital. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://www.brighamandwomens.org/obgyn/urogynecology/genitourinary-syndrome-menopause.
