Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse can be uncomfortable and frustrating experiences for women. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to overcome these issues. In this article, we will discuss five of the best ways to address vaginal dryness and make sex more comfortable and pleasurable.
- Use a vaginal moisturiser
A vaginal moisturiser is a pretty handy item to have if you are dealing with vaginal dryness. There are many reasons a woman can experience vaginal dryness but menopause is usually the main culprit in older females.
If you are breastfeeding, this may be the cause as well as your hormones are changing at this moment. Basically, vaginal dryness happens because your tissue is changing in elasticity.
Meanwhile, lowered oestrogen production also diminishes your vagina’s natural lubrication. Therefore, you can try to battle this situation by using a vaginal moisturiser. This is similar to applying a moisturiser to your face.
Your vagina needs to be clean first, and then, using clean fingers you can apply the vaginal moisturiser onto your vaginal walls.
As stated in a publication from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the use of vaginal and vulvar moisturizers contributes to enhancing the quality of tissues by boosting moisture levels and elasticity in the vagina and vulva. These moisturizers serve a distinct purpose from lubricants, which are applied during sexual activity.
A vaginal moisturiser needs to be used every day for at least a couple of weeks until visible results are shown. With regular use, sex should become a lot less painful.
- Use aloe vera as a lubricant
Using a lubricant is very different from using a vaginal moisturiser. The latter you use every day on a regular basis, but a lubricant is something you only use when you are about to have sex.
When it comes to using a lubricant, it is important to go with something that is natural. Health experts typically suggest using a water-based lubricant because this type is usually safer to use with a latex condom.
FYI, oil-based lubricants are not great with latex condoms because the oil breaks down the material of the condom. Still, if you have an aloe vera gel, you can also use this as a lubricant when having sex.
Aloe vera gel is rich in vitamins A, C and E as well, so it is highly moisturising for your sensitive vagina skin! The key here is that you must use 100% pure aloe vera gel.
- Eat foods that boost oestrogen levels
Vaginal dryness is typically caused by low levels of oestrogen. As a woman grows older the level of oestrogen naturally produced by the body decreases.
This is especially the case for older women who are already entering menopause. Be that as it may, low oestrogen could afflict women of any age, so it would be a good idea to consume foods that are known to boost oestrogen levels in the body.
Some popular food items that are especially beneficial in this scenario are power foods. These power foods are soybeans and edamame beans, flax seeds and fenugreek, sesame seeds, dried fruits, peaches, all kinds of berries, and wheat bran.
Medical News Today explains that phytoestrogens are compounds that mimic the actions of estrogen in the body. These substances are present in plant-based foods such as soy, nuts, seeds, and tofu. A review of research suggests that incorporating phytoestrogens into your diet might lead to modest improvements in symptoms like vaginal dryness and hot flashes experienced during menopause.
Eating power foods in moderation is recommended by many health experts. You will benefit significantly if you make them a regular part of your diet. After a few weeks, you will see the real difference.
- Take hormone replacement therapy
With women who are already in menopause, there’s no helping that oestrogen levels are much lower now. With that, vaginal dryness may be a real issue. Some women may consider changing their diet very challenging.
Meanwhile, some women have tried changing their diet and lifestyle, but only little result is seen. Vaginal dryness is still an issue that makes sex a lot less fun.
In that case, you may want to benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones that mimic the behaviour of your real hormones.
As such, this helps the body to function normally like before oestrogen and progesterone levels dropped. After a few times getting hormone replacement therapy, you will notice that your quality of life becomes much better.
Just like any other therapy, hormone replacement therapy also comes with a set of side effects, but they are not worse than taking a birth control pill.
- Do not soap your vagina
Lastly, this has to do with your personal hygiene. It is about how you wash. A lot of women still do not know that soaping the vagina is the wrong way of cleaning it.
The vagina itself, the inner tube that leads to the uterus, is a self-cleaning organism. Your vagina knows how to clean itself and maintain a pH level that is most beneficial for itself.
To a large extent, your healthy vagina will always be acidic to a certain degree to keep out bacteria and yeast infections. As such, when you clean the vagina with soap, you remove all the good bacteria as well as the vagina’s natural lubrication.
An article from A. Michael Coppa, MD, suggests that similar to certain laundry detergents, soaps and body washes with fragrances, dyes, and other irritants have the potential to induce skin irritation and vaginal dryness. Utilizing these products for vaginal cleansing can disrupt the pH balance, heightening the likelihood of experiencing dryness and infections.
The more you use soap in your vagina, the drier it becomes over time. The best way to clean your vagina is just to clean and wipe it with warm water for a couple of minutes.
To conclude, five possible and best methods were discussed that can help ladies reduce the chances of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The methods we have provided are scientifically proven to help ladies overcome vaginal dryness.
Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
Menopause is a natural process that every woman goes through as she ages. It marks the end of the reproductive years and signifies the end of menstruation. While this transition can bring about many changes in a woman’s body, one of the most common and uncomfortable symptoms is vaginal dryness. It is estimated that up to 40% of postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy. This condition can greatly impact a woman’s quality of life, leading to discomfort, pain during intercourse, and even urinary tract infections. However, it is not something that women have to suffer through silently. There are various ways to treat vaginal dryness after menopause, and this paper will discuss some of the most effective methods.
To understand how to treat vaginal dryness after menopause, it is crucial to understand its causes. During menopause, the body’s production of estrogen decreases significantly. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the vaginal tissues. It helps to keep the vaginal lining thick, elastic, and lubricated. As estrogen levels decline, the vaginal tissues become thinner, drier, and less elastic, leading to vaginal dryness. Other factors, such as certain medications, smoking, and breastfeeding, can also contribute to vaginal dryness after menopause.
The most commonly used treatment for vaginal dryness after menopause is estrogen therapy. Estrogen therapy is available in various forms, including pills, creams, rings, and patches. These products contain synthetic estrogen that mimics the body’s natural estrogen and helps to alleviate vaginal dryness. Estrogen therapy can also be taken orally or delivered directly to the vagina. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting estrogen therapy, as it is not suitable for everyone and may have side effects.
Aside from estrogen therapy, there are also non-hormonal options for treating vaginal dryness after menopause. One of these options is moisturizers and lubricants. Moisturizers are applied directly to the vagina to restore moisture and help maintain vaginal tissue health. They can be used regularly to prevent dryness or as needed for immediate relief. On the other hand, lubricants are used to reduce friction during intercourse, making it more comfortable and enjoyable. They are available in water-based, oil-based, and silicone-based forms. Water-based lubricants are generally recommended because they are less likely to cause irritation or infections.
Another non-hormonal option for treating vaginal dryness after menopause is vaginal dilators. These are tube-shaped devices that come in different sizes and are used to gently stretch the vaginal tissues. This helps to increase blood flow and promote tissue growth, making the vaginal tissues thicker and more elastic. Vaginal dilators can be used at home and are often recommended for women who experience pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness.
Aside from medical treatments, there are also lifestyle changes that women can make to help with vaginal dryness after menopause. These include quitting smoking, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet. Smoking has been linked to decreased estrogen levels and can worsen vaginal dryness. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep the body hydrated, including the vaginal tissues. A diet rich in healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can also help to improve vaginal dryness.
In addition to these treatments, there are also natural remedies that can help with vaginal dryness after menopause. These include herbal supplements, such as black cohosh and red clover, which are believed to have estrogen-like effects on the body. However, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplements, as they may have interactions with other medications.
In conclusion, vaginal dryness after menopause is a common and uncomfortable symptom that can greatly affect a woman’s quality of life. However, it is not something that women have to suffer through silently. There are various medical and non-medical treatments available to alleviate vaginal dryness and improve overall vaginal health. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider before starting any treatment to determine the best course of action for each individual. With the right treatment, women can continue to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling sex life even after menopause.
