Vaginal dryness can affect any woman, however after the menopause it is very common, affecting over half of post-menopausal women. The average age of the menopause is 51 and after the menopause women find that their bodies change. The ovaries stop producing the female hormone estrogen and the levels begin to decrease.

One of the early signs of reduced estrogen on the vagina is reduced lubrication during sexual activity. Without the production of estrogen, the skin and support tissues of the lips and vagina become thinner and less elastic, and the vagina can become dry. Approximately half of post-menopausal women experience vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness can be a common problem also for pre-menopausal women with low levels of estrogen, such as breastfeeding mothers, those who take contraceptive pills or antidepressants, who have had a hysterectomy and those who have received chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, these conditions can cause a change in your hormone levels. This change can affect how much vaginal discharge or fluid you have. You can also have vaginal dryness if you are not aroused during sex, use perfumed soaps, washes, or douches in and around your vagina, have an underlying condition such as diabetes.

Everything you need to know to fight vaginal dryness

vaginal dryness

The most common symthoms are:

Loss of lubrication and pain during sex: after the menopause, problems with lubrication and painful sex increase. Thinning of the skin around vagina makes it more easily damaged. This damage can often occur during sex, especially if lubrication is poor, even gentle friction can cause pain and discomfort. Painful intercourse can then have a knock-on effect contributing to a loss of sexual desire. The relief of symptoms often leads to an increased sexual desire and arousal.

Pain during other times: in many cases vaginal dryness does not only cause pain during sex it can make it uncomfortable to sit, stand, exercise, urinate or even work. Vaginal dryness can affect everyday life, whether women are sexually active or not. This can have a detrimental effect on quality of life.

Changes to the vaginal discharge: many women also find that their vaginal discharge changes, becoming waterier, discoloured and slightly smelly and they may experience irritation and a burning feeling. These symptoms can be worrying but they are simply due to the hormonal changes and not an indication of something more serious.

Emotional impact: vaginal dryness can make women feel different. Changes to the body can be difficult to accept and pain and discomfort caused by the condition can lead to a loss in self- confidence and sexual confidence.

Despite the high number of women experiencing problems related to vaginal dryness it is still a silent problem that many people feel embarrassed to talk to their partners, friends and even doctors about. Only a quarter of women with these problems actually seek treatment. This article will help you to understand vaginal dryness, it will help you to understand that you are not alone in suffering from this common condition and encourage you to take the first steps towards regaining your sexual confidence and quality of life.

There are several effective treatments that can treat vaginal dryness easily and effectively.

Topical estrogen therapy

One option is topical estrogen therapy, a medication in the form of a cream or ointment that a person can apply directly to the vaginal area to relieve symptoms. A person using a topical cream will absorb less estrogen compared with taking estrogen as a pill. As a result, the risk of adverse effects is relatively low. Examples of topical estrogen therapies include vaginal ring that releases low amount of estrogen into the tissues, vaginal cream, vaginal tablet.

Lubricants and moisturisers

Lubricants and moisturisers can be also useful, particularly for women who are not suited to estrogen replacement. A person can use lubricants at the time of intercourse to increase moisture. Water-based lubricants may be preferable to oil-based lubricants, as oil-based ones can lead to irritation and condom breakage.

Regular sexual activity

Whether alone or with a partner, can help manage vaginal dryness. Blood flow to the vaginal tissues increases during arousal, and this helps stimulate moisture production. Adequate foreplay and arousal before sex can help overcome vaginal dryness and have sex more enjoyable.

Avoid some hygiene products

Many body products and personal hygiene products contain fragrances and dyes that can irritate or dry out the vaginal tissue. The vagina contains a delicate balance of good bacteria and is self-cleaning. There is no need for douching or using fragrant soaps around the sensitive vaginal area.

Phytoestrogen supplements

Phytoestrogens are compounds that act similarly to estrogen in the body. They occur in plant-based foods, including soy, nuts, seeds, and tofu, however, the evidence of the benefits is limited, and more research is needed.