Lifestyle

8 Ways to Deal With Vaginal Dryness

The Vagina is an essential organ of theย female reproductive system, aย muscular and elastic canalย extending fromย the Vulva (exterior ofย the femaleย genital area)ย to theย Cervixย (opening part of theย uterus),ย aboutย 7.5 -9ย cm in length. It has several nerve membranes and forms the most vital part ofย menstruation, sexual intercourse, pregnancy,ย andย childbirth.

The Vagina’s functions are as follows:

  • Sexual Intercourseย – The Vagina expands when a men’s penis penetrates it during sexual arousal and gets lubricated. It holds the sperm until they pass into the uterus.
  • Menstrual Cycleย – During a woman’s monthly periods, the Vagina is a passage for menstrual blood flow from the uterus.
  • Pregnancyย – During intercourse, sperm are released in the Vagina when a man ejaculates and passes through the Fallopian tubes to the uterus. Fertilization happens in the ovaries to form eggs that unite with men’s sperm. These fertilized eggs pass through the Fallopian tubes and implant in the uterus resulting in embryo growth and pregnancy.
  • Childbirthย – The Vagina has alternatively been termed the “Birth Canal” in the role of a child’s birth. Through the Vagina, the baby gets carried from the uterus outside the body.

FEMALE GENITAL (REPRODUCTIVE) SYSTEM

1. Vaginal Dryness and Vaginal Atrophy

As discussed above, Vagina plays a fundamental role in our bodies. Now, what are vaginal dryness and vaginal dryness symptoms? Let us study this here in detail.

Vaginal dryness is a problem that occurs when there is less natural lubrication in the Vagina withย Cervixย (Cervical glands in the Cervix keep the Vagina moist and lubricated). It generally occurs in menopausal women but is very common in women of any age. The other menopause symptoms besides vaginal dryness areย hot flashes,ย blood clots, andย night sweats.

A study fromย PubMed Central of the National Library of Medicine (NIH)ย states that women who experience vaginal dryness increased fromย 19.4%ย (at the ages ofย 42-53) toย 34%ย (at the ages ofย 57-69), and also the factors associated with it.

The medical term associated with vaginal dryness and vaginal irritation inย postmenopausal womenย is calledย Vaginal Atrophy. Inflamed, dry and thin Vaginal walls are the symptoms of this condition. A person experiences sores and cracks in the Vaginal wall.

The alternative name for Vaginal Atrophy isย Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). The dryness resulting from Vaginal Atrophy is calledย Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA).

Aย 2014ย study fromย PubMed of the National Library of Medicine (NIH)ย explains the research on the association betweenย vaginal microbiotaย andย Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA).

1.2. Vaginal Dryness Causes and Symptoms

With an increase in age, the production of hormones slows down, resulting in vaginal dryness. But the most common cause for those experiencing vaginal dryness isย less estrogen productionย orย inadequate estrogen levels.

Estrogen is a hormone responsible for maintaining female sexual and reproductive health. High or low estrogen levels cause hormonal imbalance andย Vaginal Atrophy. Smoking can cause Vaginal Atrophy by decreasing estrogen levels.

The other causes of vaginal dryness areย aging, reduced hormone levels, nutritional imbalance, menopause, breastfeeding, hormone treatments, therapies likeย Chemotherapy (Cancer) or Radiation Therapy (Pelvis),ย removal of ovaries due to surgery, immune disorders, removal of the womb,ย yeast infectionsย andย medicationsย likeย anti-estrogensย orย antihistamine.

The vaginal dryness symptoms are as follows:

  • Itchy and burning sensations in the Vagina
  • Recurrent urination
  • Excessive discharge
  • Rise of urinary infections of the tract
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Pain or discomfort during intercourse
  • Vaginal infections
  • Shortening or tightening of theย Vaginal Canal

VAGINA DRYNESS:  WHAT IS VAGINA DRYNESS? SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION

2. Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

Based on the above causes and symptoms, it is very dominant to maintain good overall vaginal health. Here, we will list tips and remedies with lifestyle changes to relieve vaginal dryness symptoms.

2.1. Stay Hydrated

Keeping the body hydrated by drinking lots of water is one of the simplest and best ways to keep your vaginal tissues moist, active, and lubricated. Water also supports cellular health, metabolism, and absorption of essential nutrients for the body.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
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2.2. Quit Smoking

Smoking impacts the estrogen level and develops Vaginal Atrophy, it can affect the vaginal tissue and blood vessels. Hence, it is a recommendation to stop smoking for good vaginal health.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
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2.3. Regular Exercise and Sexual Stimulation

Regularly exercising improves the mood, removes toxins, and helpsย promote blood flowย to theย body tissues, therebyย balancing hormone levelsย and providingย efficient nutrient delivery.ย Pelvic floor exercisesย (Kegels)ย can strengthen weak vaginal muscles, increase blood flow and relax the tight muscles.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
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Being sexually activeย increases blood flowย to the genital area,ย improves vaginal secretions, andย sustains vaginal health.

2.4. Follow a Balanced Diet and Herbal Supplements

A balanced diet helps to maintainย body weightย andย muscle massย and may help prevent vaginal dryness. Eat foods rich inย Omega 3sย (sesame pumpkin or sunflower seedsย andย fishย likeย mackerel, salmon, and tuna) that may help in vaginal lubrication.

Foods withย Vitamin Dย andย C help to maintain a proper weight.ย Vitamin E facilitatesย metabolismย and improvesย blood circulation,ย providing moreย natural lubrication. Also, it includes foods rich in plant estrogens likeย soybeans, flax seeds, yam, and otherย soy products.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
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Soyย is a protein high inย Isoflavonesย (plant-based chemical compounds) that help regulate the estrogen level and provide a remedy for female dryness. An investigation fromย JAMA Networkย shows that plant estrogen and plant-based therapies can help to treat vaginal dryness and might improve menopausal symptoms.

Avocados are rich inย fats,ย Vitamin B6, andย potassiumย that helps in vaginal lubrication, maintain estrogen, and strengthen the vaginal walls.

Herbal Supplements can be one of the best remedies for vaginal dryness. A randomized controlled trial fromย Science Directย shows thatย Sea Buckthorn Oilย intake was a preferred alternative forย Vaginal Atrophyย over estrogen treatment. Also, medical practices likeย Ayurvedaย andย traditional Chinese medicineย use some herbs and plants for lubrication and to support vaginal health.

2.5. Natural Lubricants

Natural lubricants may help soothe and cool the vaginal area and relieve Vaginal Atrophy. Some recommended ones are Coconut oil, Jojoba Oil, Almond oil,ย andย Olive oil.ย These lubricants aid in stimulating theย Vaginal Mucosaย and hinder any infections in and around the Vagina.

Coconut oil is a natural oil from coconuts that helps with dry skin and moisturizes it. Massage coconut oil slowly near the Vagina with a small amount.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
Image by makidotvn / Unlimphotos / Copyright

Jojoba oilย has moisturizing properties and isย non-irritableย andย non-allergicย to the skin, withย anti-bacterialย andย anti-inflammatoryย properties.

Almond oilย is an excellent natural lubricant and a herbal oil to treat vaginal dryness symptoms and holds a fantastic aroma creating a lovely and romantic atmosphere.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
Image by chandlervid85 / Unlimphotos / Copyright

Olive oilย is a Vitamin E oil effective for hydrating the skin and holding moisture. Applying a small amount of this oil can help relieve vaginal dryness.

Aloe Veraย is a natural plant source and a vaginal lubricant that helps in skin renewal. Aย Science Directย andย PubMed of the National Library of Medicine (NIH)ย study shows that Aloe Vera can be an effective option in Vaginal Atrophy.

2.6. Water-Based Lubricants

Using water-based lubricants before intercourse provides more pleasure and satisfaction during sex. Applying them around the area of the Vagina helps reduce any discomfort during intercourse and lessens vaginal dryness. But they hold moisture for a short time and get dried quickly, which is a drawback.

2.7. Vaginal Moisturizers

Like face cream, a vaginal moisturizer is an excellent lubricant that keeps the vaginal tissues moist and relieves vaginal dryness. It also avoids skin irritation and discomfort. Applying it a few times every week near the vaginal walls locks in moisture and prevents dryness.

2.8. Avoid Cosmetics and Synthetic Products

Avoid using products likeย powders, deodorants, perfumed or harsh soaps, lotions, orย cleansersย near the area of the Vagina. It can create more irritation to the skin and result inย Vaginal Atrophy. Useย mild soapsย andย lotionsย for the Vagina.

3. Treatment Options

If natural remedies don’t work, you can choose to meet a healthcare provider who may suggest creams or treatments.

Vaginal Estrogen therapyย is one of the options that includes aย topical creamย or taking anย oral pill. This therapy follows the application of anย estrogen cream or gelย to the Vagina. Estrogen creams do not mix with the bloodstream or with the other parts of the body. Also, oral estrogen tablets are an alternative option.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
Image by Fahroni / Unlimphotos / Copyright

Probioticsย are good bacteria that maintain vaginal health by the vaginal ph.ย Research fromย PubMed Centralย of theย National Library of Medicine (NIH)ย shows probiotics can alleviate vaginal dryness symptoms.

Vaginal Dilator therapyย is a process where a medical device gets inserted into the Vagina, whichย improves the tissues of the Vagina, increases blood flow, and stimulates moistureย andย lubrication.

4. Final Note

Vaginal dryness is a women’s health concern, impacting their sexual health and other symptoms discussed above. Consider natural remedies or see a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment options.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by soubhik92@gmail.com