Vaginal dryness causes discomfort, causes pain, prevents you from enjoying sex. Most of the ladies do not even tell the gynecologist about it. Wrong, because vaginal dryness is a problem that can be easily solved.

Vaginal drynessis not onlypainful sex , but also the cause of serious he alth problems, includinginfections genital and urinary tract . Vaginal discharge in a he althy woman is acidic, almost odorless, transparent or gray-white depending on the day of the cycle. It is related to the amount of estrogen in a woman. It prevents vaginal dryness .It has many functions, first of all, it maintains the elasticity and moisture of the vagina, protects intimate places against abrasion and is the first line of defense against the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. That's why women who suffer from vaginal dryness develop genital and urinary tract infections.

Vaginal dryness - painful sex

Proper hydration plays a very important role in the sexual sphere. When the body is functioning properly, as excitement grows, the brain signals the vagina to release more mucus. The discharge released by the vaginal walls allows for intercourse. When it is too dry, you experience severe pain, burning sensation and dissatisfaction with your sex life during intercourse. Women who have intercourse on a regular basis experience vaginal dryness less frequently. Statistics show that vaginal dryness is the most common cause of painful intercourse. Women who feel pain during sex often avoid intercourse or interrupt intercourse. They feel embarrassed, they feel guilty for not being able to satisfy their partner. Fear of pain and embarrassment during intercourse increase mental tension, exacerbating ailments. The discomfort resulting from poor vaginal lubrication can be felt not only during sex. There is a burning sensation, excessive sensitivity of the intimate areas (even to underwear) and a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen and worsens the general well-being. Due to the association with low estrogen levels in the body, vaginal dryness is a common ailment in menopausal women, affecting more than half of them after the menopause. It is a natural phenomenon at a certain age.

Important

How to Avoid Vaginal Dryness

To restore the proper hydration of the vagina, sometimes it is enough to change your habits.

  • When the symptoms are temporary (they appear, for example, before menstruation) and not too bothersome, over-the-counter moisturizing gels, the so-called lubricants. There are many preparations of this type on the market, it is worth trying a few to choose the best one for you. You can use them even several times a day when you feel discomfort by applying a small amount to your intimate parts. The measure used before intercourse improves the comfort of intercourse. They do not contain hormones, act superficially and are also completely safe for pregnant women. Relief will be provided by moisturizing and regenerating creams for the mucosa as well as preparations containing lactobacilli (at a pharmacy without a prescription).
  • Drink at least 2 liters of fluid a day - moisturizing the body from the inside improves the condition of the mucous membranes. Mineral water is the he althiest. Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water, so don't feel sorry for them.
  • Make sure that your diet includes phytoestrogens - these are plant substances that imitate female hormones. Most of them are found in soy products, they are also found in other legumes (beans, lentils, peas, broad beans), as well as in linseed, oatmeal, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cherries, apples, pears, carrots, and onions.
  • Choose products containing good fats - fish, oils (they have a beneficial effect on the hormonal balance).
  • Take good care of hygiene. Use fluids with a neutral or acidic pH. Give up perfumed soaps and gels, sprays for intimate hygiene, baths with the addition of s alt and various liquids, avoid rinsing the vagina - such treatments disturb the natural pH and can be a cause of trouble. Wear breathable cotton underwear.
  • Avoid stress, especially chronic stress, because it has a huge impact on the production of sex hormones. Movement in the fresh air, low-intensity physical activity and relaxation training, such as yoga or meditation, will help maintain estrogen at the right level, restoring comfort in the intimate sphere.

Estrogens: remedy for vaginal dryness

The menopause usually begins after the age of 45 and lasts for several years. During this time, the pituitary gland slows down and the ovaries produce less and less estrogen to stop producing them when menstruation stops (the last period, called menopause, usually occurs at the age of 50-51). As a result of the systematic decrease in the level of estrogens in the body, the number of cells that make up the vaginal mucosa decreases, its walls become pale, thinner and drier. Atrophic changes in the vaginal epithelium intensify under the influence of smoking. When the estrogen concentration is too low, very little is producedglycogen (this substance transforms into lactic acid, beneficial for the vaginal mucosa), so the natural pH is disturbed and infections increase, increasing dryness

Causes of vaginal dryness: natural hormone fluctuations

The problem also affects younger women. Vaginal dryness can be associated with even slight hormonal fluctuations and can occur before the menstrual period, when estrogen levels are falling. The period of pregnancy is usually associated with the reduction of symptoms. The increase in estrogen levels in the body means that ladies who have previously experienced excessive dryness are now seeing an improvement in humidity. Problems with vaginal lubrication may appear after childbirth and may last for the duration of breastfeeding. This is due to a reduction in the level of estrogens and an increase in the concentration of prolactin, which is responsible for the production of food, and reduces the appetite for sex at that time.

Vaginal dryness: when to see a doctor

Few women with vaginal dryness seek help from a gynecologist. Only every fourth postmenopausal woman struggling with a problem tells her doctor about it. This is a mistake! It is important to know that the symptoms usually do not go away by themselves. And although they are usually not dangerous, they worsen mental discomfort and may lead to permanent pain. Consultation of a specialist is necessary if the feeling of dryness is accompanied by burning, itching, excessive sensitivity to touch, pain - perhaps inflammation in the reproductive organs has developed, which exacerbates the problems. There are many ways that you can get relief. Depending on the cause of the ailments, age and general he alth of the woman, the doctor will suggest the best method

This will be useful to you

Mucus production can be disturbed by some drugs (for peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, antiallergic drugs, antidepressants) and poorly chosen contraceptives. Problems with lubrication accompany vaginitis, condom allergies, or lubrication is associated with vaginitis, an allergy to a condom or some cosmetic. Sometimes psychological problems are to blame - problems at work or in the family, sexual inhibitions, e.g. anxiety, aversion to intercourse.

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Category:

Female diseases