Ways to manage vaginal dryness

It is estimated that one in three women experience vaginal dryness during their lifetime. This is a common condition which affects both pre and post-menopausal women. More than 17% of premenopausal women experiencing vaginal dryness can have a detrimental effect on their sex life. Over 50% of postmenopausal women suffer from mild to severe vaginal dryness causing daily discomfort. The good news is that there are effective therapies to treat vaginal dryness so sex can become enjoyable again!

What causes vaginal Dryness?

There are many different causes of vaginal dryness, some relating to underlying conditions and some due to lifestyle or age-related factors.

These causes include:

Hormonal imbalance

Women can suffer from hormonal imbalances at any age, especially during events such as puberty and pregnancy. These imbalances can also occur during periods of intense stress, due to severe weight gain or weight loss, when taking certain medications or undergoing chemotherapy, or after surgical removal of the ovaries.

Menopause

When you pass through menopause and your reproductive hormone levels drop off, you can encounter vaginal dryness. More than half of women between 51 and 60 experience vaginal dryness.

Low sex drive

The signal for your vagina to lubricate itself is achieved through arousal. For 17% of women between the ages of 18 and 50 who experience vaginal dryness, lack of sufficient arousal is the root cause.

What happens if vaginal dryness is left untreated?

It is rare that you will develop any other conditions as a direct consequence of untreated vaginal dryness. Nevertheless, you may experience inflammation or small vaginal tears during intercourse if you are not using an alternative lubricant. The dryness may also cause irritation to your urinary tract, which could bring about the urge to go to the toilet, even if your bladder is not full.

How to treat the vaginal dryness?

There are several ways to combat the vaginal dryness.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

HRT is a popular treatment for women going through the menopause developing menopausal symptoms. From vaginal oestrogen creams/pessaries/rings to more systemic hormone replacement, we can help restore the lubrication in your vaginal tissues.

Lubricants

If vaginal dryness is a standalone complaint when it comes to your sexual health, you may want to start with a simple lubricant. Over-the-counter lubricants are easy to use and can help make intercourse far more enjoyable.

Increased arousal

Another great way to address vaginal dryness is to increase your arousal. We know this is easier said than done, and it will involve your partner. We encourage you to be open and honest about the issue and work with your partner to increase the length of foreplay until you feel adequately lubricated.

 When the above treatment options did not work…

 We offer vaginal HIFU (high frequency Ultrasound), a type of vaginal rejuvenation that involves using a vaginal probe to deliver ultrasound energy to your vaginal wall and improve overall vaginal health.

Vaginal Platelet- Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are offered in women with vaginal atrophy after menopause or post- delivery and/or painful sex

When Should I see the Specialist?

Vaginal dryness is nothing to be embarrassed about. However, if you are suffering from symptoms that may indicate vaginal dryness and this is affecting your wellbeing, it is advised to see a specialist  .

If you are unsure about the cause of your vaginal dryness and want a specialist’s diagnosis and treatment recommendation,

Please contact Rockingham Women’s Health Centre on 0895918943 to book an appointment or www.rockinghamwomenshealth.com.au