Vaginal Dryness – Don’t ignore it or suffer in silence.
‘If you have a vagina there is an 80% chance that you will experience dryness at some point in your life!’
This is much more common than many think and can cause problems that many women just put up with and are unlikely to chat about with friends over a coffee. (Well maybe after a
few gins if you’re feeling brave enough!) It may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually cause daily discomfort or soreness, irritation, burning, stinging or bleeding and can lead to
painful sex (dyspareunia) or persistent pelvic pain.
What causes vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is not necessarily about a lack of arousal and is actually very common in the postnatal period, especially if you are breast feeding. It is also common during perimenopause and
post menopause. This is due to hormonal changes or low oestrogen levels, which is natural. Some might even notice being dryer at certain times of the month. It can also be caused by fatigue, (who could be more tired than a new mum?) anxiety, depression and stress. These can all be factors that make it hard to ‘get in the mood’ and will affect the body’s ability to lubricate itself. Some infections or illnesses such as cancer and its treatments can cause vaginal dryness. Some medications can also affect it, including some contraceptive pills . (I’m sure their effectiveness was not intended to put women off sex altogether, by making it painful) There are also certain anti-depressants and medications treating incontinence that can affect your hormones, thus creating vaginal dryness. Equally, it could simply be due to scented soaps or washing powders that can affect the pH of the vagina and resulting in vaginal dryness.
What can you do about it?
You could try changing to use unperfumed products to see if that helps. If not, of course firstly, if you are suffering with any of these symptoms, it is important to be assessed by a professional to rule out any other conditions or causes. If stress and anxiety are a factor, then try creating some time to take the pressure off, de-stress, relax and reconnect with your partner. Dietary changes can help, supplements such as oral soy or probiotics that enhance vaginal health, but it would be wise to consult a nutritionist or naturopath for advice on this.
You can also try using something to ease the dryness by using a vaginal lubricant or vaginal moisturiser. They restore the natural vaginal pH, are absorbed by the vaginal tissue to hydrate, protect and moisturise vaginal and vulval tissue, effectively soothing the area. Vaginal lubricants during intercourse are key. You can use water-based lubricants if using condoms and oil based if not using condoms, or you can use a combination of both, creating a ‘double glide’! I recommend you choose a natural organic product.
Some women require vaginal oestrogen treatment which is highly effective and can be prescribed by the GP or a gynaecologist. The main thing is, you do not need to live with the symptoms and you can get help and advice. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further or for a specialist Gynaecologist contact Practice for Women.
