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Suffering from a dry vagina during menopause? You are certainly not alone. Many women going through menopause experience discomforts such as vaginal dryness, a burning sensation, or even pain during sex. It is an intimate subject that we don't readily talk about, yet it is precisely important that you feel understood. Because if your vagina feels drier and you don't become lubricated as quickly, it has an impact. On your body, your self-image, and your intimacy. Fortunately, you can do something about these vaginal complaints and symptoms of vaginal dryness.
Causes of vaginal dryness around menopause
Vaginal dryness is often caused by lower levels of estrogen in your body. This hormone normally ensures a supple, moist, and healthy vaginal lining. However, during menopause (or in the years leading up to it), your ovaries start producing less estrogen. What are the consequences of this?
- The vagina becomes thinner and drier.
- Blood flow decreases
- The pH value changes and the vaginal environment becomes disrupted.
- The vagina becomes less acidic, resulting in fewer normal bacteria present in your vagina that produce lactic acid.
The result: your vagina becomes drier, less elastic, and more susceptible to irritation or vaginal infections. As a result, you may experience a burning sensation, become lubricated less quickly during arousal, or feel pain during sex.
Symptoms you may experience with a dry vagina
A dry vagina or vaginal dryness can be accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms. Do you recognize one or more of the symptoms below?
- A burning sensation in the vaginal area
- Itching of the labia or around the entrance of your vagina
- Pain and itching during or after sex
- Less separation or separation that changes structure
- Irritated or tight mucous membrane
- Feeling of dryness or stiffness during daily movements
- Loss of interest in sex due to pain or insecurity
- Increased risk of vaginal infections such as yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis
Some women experience discomfort when wearing tight clothing or cycling. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be your new normal.
The vagina changes during menopause, and that may be discussed.
It is important to know that the vagina changes during menopause in a way that you can understand and influence. Due to the decline in estrogen, the mucous membranes in your vagina change. They become thinner, drier, and more fragile. This is also known as vaginal atrophy. Natural lubrication during arousal decreases, causing your vagina to become drier and less easily moist.
The labia can also change: they become less full and more sensitive. Your vaginal flora changes as well, because there are fewer normal bacteria that keep the vagina acidic. As a result, the risk of vaginal infections increases. This can inhibit you during intimate relationships, which in turn impacts your life.
What can you do about a dry vagina?
There are various ways to reduce vaginal dryness. Which solution suits you best depends on your personal preference, your medical history, and your stage of life. Here are some options if you suffer from vaginal dryness. Take your time and, if you have questions, consult a specialist who can give you personalized advice.
1. Creams and gels without hormones
Hormone-free gel is often the first step. Think of a hydrating gel or cream containing, for example, hyaluronic acid that supports the mucous membrane. Apply to the entrance of your vagina twice a day for the best effect. You can safely use them for a few years.
2. Vaginal moisturizers with estrogen
Sometimes a cream or pill containing hormones is prescribed. This helps with severe dryness or atrophy. For the record: these hormones do not protect against pregnancy. Always discuss their use with a specialist first. You usually apply such creams according to a tapering schedule; follow the instructions carefully.
3. Lubricants during sex
A lubricant can help make sex more enjoyable. Choose lubricants without perfume or dyes, and ideally water-based. Some women also opt for a lubricant with nourishing ingredients, such as aloe vera or lactic acid. If a penis or erotic device enters the vagina before it is lubricated, there is a risk of minor tears. Try to prevent this.
4. Pay attention to your daily hygiene
Wash the vulva with lukewarm water, without perfumed soap. This keeps the pH balance of your vagina in check. Avoid douches or vaginal sprays, as these disrupt the vaginal environment and increase the risk of irritation.
5. Train your pelvic floor muscles
A strong pelvic floor stimulates blood flow in the vaginal area. This helps to make the vagina more moist and sensitive during arousal. Such exercises pose no risks provided they are performed in consultation with a pelvic floor physiotherapist and are tailored to your body.
What if you no longer feel like having sex?
Vaginal dryness can put a damper on your sexuality. You may feel less aroused or experience pain during penetration. This has nothing to do with you as a woman; it is purely hormonal. The most important advice: it helps to be open about this with your partner and to take the time for foreplay and arousal. Really, take your time to get aroused, because only when the vagina becomes moist is it ready for penetration. But know this: despite vaginal dryness, your vagina can still become moist through sexual arousal. It may just take a little longer.
You can also work with an expert to find a gel or lubricant suitable for your body. However, it remains important when using a lubricant to ensure you are sexually aroused before your partner penetrates you. If you are concerned about your sexual health or vaginal atrophy, know that help is available. Suffering from vaginal dryness can often be effectively controlled with simple remedies.
Frequently asked questions about a dry vagina during menopause
1. Is vaginal dryness during menopause permanent?
Not necessarily. With the right care, such as a hormone-free gel or improving blood circulation, you can reduce vaginal dryness and repair the tissue. In combination with certain diseases, specific treatments may be necessary.
2. Can you still have sex with a dry vagina?
Yes, but it is important that you use a good lubricant and, above all, take enough time for foreplay and arousal. A dry vagina can cause pain during sex, but there are many safe solutions. With a pleasant device such as a clitoris stimulator, you can gently and calmly stimulate your body; this can improve the quality of sex.
3. When should I seek help for a dry vagina?
If you are experiencing itching, a burning sensation, pain, or uncertainty, it is advisable to seek professional guidance. Contact your GP for a referral to a medical specialist.
Don't let your body down. Understand it, care for it, and give it what it needs. You deserve to feel comfortable in your own body, even during menopause.
Do you want more information about sex and libido? Then click here.
