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Dry skin in the genital area is common in many women, but after menopause, it is extremely typical, influencing over 50% of post-menopausal females between the ages of 51 and 60. Today let’s talk about the steps necessary to stop genital dryness and enable you to live with total confidence!
All-natural lubrication created by glands at the neck of the womb (the cervix) keeps the vagina damp. The moisture slowly moves down the vaginal area, keeping it clean and eliminating dead cells. The vaginal wetness is slightly acidic and helps to keep the area healthy and protecting against infections like thrush. It is typical for females to experience a white vaginal discharge regularly.
During sexual excitement, the Bartholin glands (two small glands at the entrance to the vaginal area) produce additional moisture to improve the sexual experience. Nonetheless, a quarter of the females between 50 and 59 experience vaginal dry issues during sexual intercourse and over 16% experience sexual discomfort.
Younger women, those aged 18 to 50, sometimes experience vaginal dryness during sex. 17% report bouts of dryness during sexual encounters. For some women, this is simply because they are not sexually aroused during the encounter. This is commonly brought on by insufficient foreplay or emotional factors (think: stress or anxiety).
However, for most, the primary cause of vaginal dry skin is falling estrogen levels. Women’s bodies create less estrogen as they naturally age. This results in the ending of menstruation during a time known as perimenopause.
The primary cause of vaginal dry skin is falling estrogen levels. Women's bodies create less estrogen as they naturally age.
Other factors can include breastfeeding, smoking, anxiety, extreme stress, bodily immunal disorders, childbirth, rigorous workouts, chemotherapy, and the medical elimination of the ovaries (hysterectomy). Some of these factors can be connected to normal health problems (possibly feminine sprays, harsh soaps, swimming pools or jacuzzi chemicals, or cleaning powders), medical treatments (such as allergic reactions), or medications.
The ordinary age of beginning menopause is 51, after that, women find that their bodies change drastically. The ovaries stop producing the female hormonal agent estrogen and the levels within the body begin to dip with time. Since this is a natural part of aging for female bodies, it also cannot be entirely avoided. One of the earliest indications of decreasing estrogen is less lubrication during sex. Around 58% of post-menopausal women experience this dry vaginal skin.
With how unpredictable hormone levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be, it is extremely common for nursing mothers to experience vaginal dryness, tightness, or tenderness, among other post-pregnancy symptoms. While nursing, your body processes less estrogen, which can cause thinner or drier vaginal tissue. Estrogen can interfere with milk production, hence the need to produce less for the duration of the newborn’s breastfeeding.
While nursing, your body processes less estrogen, which can cause thinner or drier vaginal tissue. Estrogen can interfere with milk production, hence the reduced production.
Women who have had a hysterectomy (the surgical removal of the uterus or womb) often experience menopausal signs, regardless of how old the patient who chose to have the hysterectomy is, such as vaginal dryness and the reduction of hormones.
Women who experience chemotherapy often experience sudden and intense symptoms. Radiation treatments are known to damage ovaries, ensuring that they no longer generate estrogen and decreasing the amount of vaginal lubrication generated. These decreased estrogen levels lead to a thinner, less flexible, more fragile genital cellular lining. That results in an extremely dry vaginal region.
Radiation treatments are known to damage ovaries, ensuring that they no longer generate estrogen and decreasing the amount of vaginal lubrication generated.
The loss of lubrication and increase of pain during sexual intercourse, particularly after menopause, is normal in women over time. The thinning of the vaginal tissues makes it easier to harm, increasing the pain experienced in the area during intercourse. Especially if lubrication is poor, friction can cause intense pain. It isn’t surprising that this unpleasant experience during intercourse can really knock out a woman’s sexual desire. The alleviation of these symptoms tends to result in an enhanced libido and increased pleasure during sexual stimulation.
Often, dry skin does not simply make sex more uncomfortable, but it can make lying down, standing, exercising, urinating, or working unpleasant. This dryness can impact everyday life, whether the women are sexually active or otherwise. This can obviously be very damaging to one’s quality of life. Many women also note that cervical smears can become extremely agonizing. Changes in the appearance of the vaginal area and vulva tend to come with time – it is common for the vagina to look different… thinner. But it can be addressed! There’s no need to suffer.
Many women find that their vaginal discharge changes, becoming extra watery, discolored, a bit smelly, or triggering a burning sensation. These symptoms might be troubling but are merely the results of natural hormonal modifications.
Changes in the appearance of the vaginal area and vulva tend to come with time - it is common for the vagina to look different... thinner. But it can be addressed! There's no need to suffer.
The psychological effects of vaginal dryness—whatever the cause of the reduced estrogen—can be detrimental to a woman’s self-esteem, not to mention sexual confidence. Many confuse these symptoms with sexually transmitted diseases or yeast infections. Some incorrectly assume that the loss of lubrication is a sign of thrush and purchase over-the-counter prescriptions. This is an embarrassing problem which can put serious stress on their relationship with their partner, especially if the woman feels incapable of telling their partner the truth about why they aren’t up for sex.
Around one percent of women experience an early menopause (also known as premature ovarian deficiency) when the menopause begins at 40 rather than 50. Early menopause can be difficult for a more youthful woman with both physical and emotional adjustments. Especially since premature menopause causes long-lasting infertility, which can be hard to accept for younger women.
Lubes are the closest thing to natural bodily lubrication which is produced through arousal and should be utilized around the lips of the vaginal area (the vulva) and vaginal areas just before intercourse takes place. There are plenty of lubricants to choose from, ranging from flavored lubricants to natural or organic lubricants.
There is often a serious improvement in confidence, comfort, and satisfaction with the vaginal area following laser treatments.
Making use of genital moisturizers should be done a few times a week and last for up to two days. They do not have to be applied immediately before sexual activities. Vaginal dryness is a typical sign of estrogen (such as nursing mothers, those who have undergone a hysterectomy, and those who have undergone chemotherapy), so an estrogen lotion is another option to balance the levels back out.
Finally, there is the option to undergo either a vaginal laser or surgical procedure. These vary based upon the patient’s particular circumstances and desires, but most commonly, encourage a substantial increase in collagen growth and natural lubrication. There is often a serious improvement in confidence, comfort, and satisfaction with the vaginal area following laser treatments.
The surgical option quite literally tightens the vaginal canal by removing some of the vaginal tissue and suturing the remaining tissue together to make the canal smaller. This typically does not encourage collagen growth or increase lubrication, but certainly results in a tighter vaginal canal.
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As women age, they may experience a wide range of changes in their body, including vaginal dryness, incontinence, lack of sensation during intercourse, scarring, and vaginal laxity. These issues can negatively impact both their physical and emotional well-being. However, there is no need to feel alone or discouraged, as there are effective, non-invasive solutions available. Dr. William J. Vinyard, MD, FACS, and his team of experts recommend combining the innovative technologies of Morpheus8V and FormaV for an optimal vaginal rejuvenation experience.
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