Health Blurbs

Vaginal dryness is a common health issue during and after menopause. Hormonal changes, primarily a decline in your estrogen level, causes a dry out of a thin moisture layer that coats your vagina wall.

However, menopause is not the only cause for vaginal drying.  Other health conditions and situations that cause a decrease in estrogen system wide dehydration can play a role in your vaginal dryness.

Potential vaginal dryness causers include:

• aging
• childbirth
• breast feeding
• perimenopause
• ovaries removed
• immune disorders
• tumor ~ a rare cause
• during menstrual cycle
• Sjogren’s syndrome ~ autoimmune disease
• anti-estrogen meds used to treat breast cancer
• drugs ~ allergy, cold medications, some antidepressants
• cancer treatment ~ chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy
• douching ~ disrupts normal vaginal chemical balance, can cause vaginitis

Estrogen not only helps maintain healthy vaginal lubrication, but it also retains its elasticity and acidity. But when your estrogen levels decrease, it leads to a thinner, less elastic, more fragile and drier vaginal lining.

Typical symptoms of a vaginal dryness health problem are:

• itching
• burning
• dryness
• stinging
• painful intercourse
• intercourse caused bleeding
• increase in urination frequency, urgency

Estrogen’s combination of affects creates a naturally healthy defense to vaginal and urinary tract infections as well. Its reduction may result in an increased incidence of these types of infections.

There are some OTC products and home remedies you can try in an effort to treat your vagina dryness. Lubricants or moisturizers available without a prescription involve:

• lubricants (Astroglide, K-Y) ~ relieves dryness for several hours
• moisturizers (Replens, Lubrin) ~ dryness relief for up to three days

Two unproven home remedies is consuming a diet rich in soy foods and using creams containing wild yam. Scientific backing hasn’t been established yet. But give it a go, you never know.

If these vaginal dryness remedies fail, then your gynecological health care person offers some treatments that might solve your moisture deficit. Vaginal estrogen therapy treatment is usually prescribed and is delivered in a couple forms:

• vaginal estrogen cream ~ inserted directly via an applicator
• vaginal estrogen tablet ~ disposable applicator places tablet in vagina
• vaginal estrogen ring ~ soft, flexible ring is inserted into the upper part of vagina

If  your vaginal dryness is associated with other menopausal symptoms, like severe hot flashes, then estrogen treatment delivery may be brought to you in some other way.  For instance, vagina dryness treatment via pill, patch or gel.

• Natural Solution For Vaginal Discharge And Vaginal Odor
• Cervicitis, Cervical Inflammation, Inflammation of Cervix Causes Bleeding Between Periods
• Atrophic Vaginitis, Vaginal Atrophy Causes Vaginal Dryness, Painful Intercourse for Treatment
• Vaginismus Causes Dyspareunia Intercourse Pain Symptoms for Pelvic Muscle Spasms Treatment
• Causes for Vulvitis, Vulva Inflammation, Vulvar Pain and Itching Symptoms for Scooch Treatment
• About Vaginal Discharge, Feminine Mucus Secretions, Excessive Female Discharge, Vaginal Moisture Causes