Vaginal Dryness: Causes, Effects, Treatment and Prevention
Date: November 30th, 2019
What Could Cause a Dry Vagina Skin?
A thin layer of moisture coats the lining of vagina walls. Glands secrete this moisture at the cervix.
Vaginal secretions provide an alkaline environment that favors the sperm voyage to the ovum — this moisture aids in cleaning the vagina and removing dead cells.
A dry vagina skin can be a result of hormonal changes in the body, aging or due to an infection or disease.
A dry vagina can significantly impact your sex life. You need to understand causes, effects, prevention, and treatment measures of vaginal dryness.
What Could Vaginal Dryness?
The main reason for vaginal dryness skin is low estrogen levels in the body. Aging lowers the production of estrogen in women.
Other factors lead to low estrogen production in women. They include;
- Breastfeeding and giving birth
- Surgical removal of the ovaries
- Depression
- Exercising rigorously
- Too much stress
- Smoking cigarette
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy for treating cancer
Vaginal dryness can also result from other factors that do not affect estrogen levels in the body. They include;
- Not having enough foreplay before penetrative sex
- Douching
- Using some antidepressants
- Cold medication and allergic conditions
- Sjogren's syndrome, an immune disorder that attacks the body cells that produce moisture.
Consequences of a Dry Vagina Skin
Women having vaginal dryness experience tough times. This condition keeps women very leads to discomfort making it difficult to enjoy sex.
Other effects of having vaginal dryness include;
- Light bleeding on the vagina after having sex
- Pain when having sexual intercourse
- Causes soreness of the vagina
- Makes one lose interest in sex
- A burning effect on the vagina
- Causes vaginal itching and irritation
- It causes infections on the urinary tract that keep on recurring
Women affected by vaginal dryness should not feel embarrassed to speak to a physician. Note that it’s better to do an STD testing and attend to the condition early to avoid complications.
When Do You Need to Seek Medical Attention?
When you experience any discomfort or abnormal condition in your genitals, suggesting vaginal dryness, go for diagnosis.
You can easily notice a dry vagina skin during sexual intercourse because of the resulting pain due to the lack of discharge of bodily secretions that act as lubricants.
Treat vaginal dryness in its early stages to avoid developing sores or cracking of the vaginal tissues.
During an assessment by the doctor, let him examine your vaginal walls for any discharge. The doctor will use the release to test for any infection or bacteria.
Remember to have an STD testing and a hormone test to check whether you are in pre-menopause or menopause or you might be infected by STD.
Vaginal Dryness Treatment
There are several ways a woman can treat a dry vagina. Some are taken over the counter, whereas a doctor prescribes others. They include;
Tropical Estrogen Therapy
This treatment involves applying medications directly to the vaginal area to boost estrogen levels. Examples include;
- Vaginal cream- uses an applicator to apply the cream into the vagina
- Vaginal tablet- in this, one uses an applicator to place a tablet into the vagina.
- Vaginal ring- this ring when placed inside the vagina, it releases small amounts of estrogen into the tissues
Over-The-Counter Treatments
Partners can use lubricants when having sex to make it more enjoyable and reduce irritation.
There are water-based and oil-based types of lubrication. Most people prefer water-based lube over oil-based lubrication, as oil-based lubrication causes irritation and breaking of the condom.
Lifestyle Remedies
When dealing with vaginal dryness, there are significant lifestyle changes you can make at home and change your conditions. They include;
Have sex regularly whether you are alone or with a partner. Regular sex improves blood flow on the vaginal tissue.
An increase in blood flow on vaginal tissue helps to stimulate moisture production hence controlling vaginal dryness to a minimum.
Ensure you have enough foreplay when having sex with your partner as this helps in controlling vaginal dryness and add more fun to sex.
Watch Your Hygiene
Avoid contact between your vagina and body products as they have chemical elements and dyes that can cause harmful effects on your vaginal membranes.
The vagina has its mechanism of dealing with bacteria and self-cleaning. Therefore avoid douching as much as possible.
Include in your diet foods that contain phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens play the same role as estrogens. They are in plant foods such as nuts, soy, seeds, and tofu.
Choose the Right Underwear
It is advisable to put on cotton underwear to promote good airflow and allow the vagina to breathe.
Dry Vagina Treatment: How to Prevent Vaginal Dryness
You can prevent a dry vagina skin by;
- Refrain from douching
- Choose condoms that contain safe chemicals
- Be informed that age or reproductive related causes are hard to manage
- Maintain hygiene in your genitals
Final words
That’s pretty much everything a lady needs to know about a dry vagina. If your symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to see a doctor for dry vagina treatment.