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Senior Yoga Class

Vaginal Dryness

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness can be very distressing and the cause of your sexual problems. The good news is, it's easily treatable.

A healthy vagina is moist and well lubricated. This is due to the fluids secreted by the vaginal wall. When this secretion is reduced due to any reason, it causes vaginal dryness.

What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness?

Not everyone will have the same symptoms. You may experience one or many of the following:

  • Painful sex

  • Burning

  • Itching

  • Slight bleeding after sex

  • Burning while urinating

  • Recurrent urinary tract infections

  • Recurrent yeast/fungal infections

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

There can be many reasons for vaginal dryness. You will need a series of blood tests and a physical examination to establish what's causing the dryness in you. Here is a list of common causes:

  • Low estrogen

  • Atrophic vaginitis (thin vaginal wall)

  • Menopause

  • Smoking

  • Tampons

  • Harsh soaps, oils, perfumes, lotions

  • Radiation to the pelvic area

  • Chemotherapy

  • After removal of ovaries (if you have had a hysterectomy, ask your surgeon if ovaries were removed too)

  • Severe stress or depression

  • Some medicines or hormones can cause vaginal dryness as a side effect.

  • Breastfeeding. Estrogen (hormone) level is low during breastfeeding.

What Should I D0?

Get examined by a dermatologist/gynaecologist. They will look for any infections or local causes. After examination, if required they will ask for few blood tests such as blood sugar and hormone levels.

Treatment

Treatment of vaginal dryness depends on the cause, but there are few basic steps you can follow:

  • Use Vaginal moisturisers. These reduce dryness if used regularly.

  • Water based lubricants during intercourse: these reduce pain during intercourse. These are easily available over the counter and can be bought from any medical store. Avoid lubricants containing fragrances or oils. Use a bland water based lubricant e.g. KY Jelly

  • Avoid soaps, lotions, perfumes.

  • Stop smoking

  • Hormone gels/creams can replenish the vaginal wall. They improve the wall lining and increase the natural secretions. These are mainly prescribed to women with low hormone levels (menopause, ovaries removal etc.).

  • Oral Hormonal treatments can be prescribed to women suffering from multiple hormone deficient symptoms. Although in most patients oral treatments do not improve vaginal dryness and additional gels/creams are needed. 

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