Are you worried about your Vaginal Dryness?
The menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive menstrual cycle. It is a natural process all women will go through, usually occurring between 45 and 55, as the oestrogen levels in the body decline with age meaning eggs will no longer be released by the ovaries. If you are over 45 and suffering from vaginal dryness it could indicate that you have reached the menopause, but it is likely that you will also experience additional symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, low mood, anxiety, a reduced sex drive or problems with memory or concentration.
While Vaginal dryness is common and not generally considered a symptom of any serious condition the symptoms you may experience could be unpleasant, lead to a reduction in your sex drive or it may affect your mental health. It may be tempting to wash out your vagina to refresh the level of moisture, but this is not recommended and would likely worsen the problem. It is also important to note that creams, lotions, or petroleum jelly should not be used internally as this could lead to an infection. Thankfully there are things that you can try at home to improve your symptoms before you visit a doctor. Check out the list below for helpful tips and advice.
- If you have sex, you can use water-based lubricants to mimic the body’s natural lubrication
- Vaginal moisturisers can be used in or around the vagina to maintain moisture levels
- Use unperfumed soaps or gels to clean around the vagina
- Increase the foreplay before you engage in sexual intercourse
Maintaining the health of your vagina is important and making sure you are noticing any changes to your body can help to identify any possible problems at the earliest stage. You should contact a doctor for a consultation if you have experienced any of the symptoms listed below.
- If you have been experiencing vaginal dryness for several weeks
- Vaginal dryness is accompanied by additional symptoms such as, unusual discharge or bleeding from the vagina
- Vaginal dryness has affected your quality of life
- If your symptoms have not responded to efforts to alleviate symptoms at home
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Breast-feeding
- Childbirth
- Cigarette smoking
- Douching
- Effects on your ovaries from cancer therapy
- Immune disorders
- Menopause
- Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery)
- Perimenopause (the transition time before menopause)
- Sjogren's syndrome
- Use of allergy and cold medications
- Use of anti-estrogen medication