what-is-vaginal-dryness : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Vaginal dryness occurs when the tissues of the vagina are not well lubricated and healthy. It can occur at any age but is especially common in older women.

What are the symptoms of Vaginal Dryness?

Some women only have symptoms of vaginal dryness at certain times, such as during sex, while others have them all the time. Problems associated with having a dry vagina include:

• Vaginal irritation, discomfort, itchiness or a burning sensation
• Discomfort during sex
• A reduced sex drive
• Difficulty getting aroused and reaching orgasm
• The surface of the vagina looks pale and thin
• Narrowing or shortening of the vagina
• Needing to pee more often than usual
• Repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)

What are the causes of Vaginal Dryness?

A number of factors may contribute to vaginal dryness, including:

Low estrogen Vaginal dryness is most often caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that helps keep the tissues of your vagina lubricated and healthy.

Many factors can cause a drop in estrogen levels, such as:

• Menopause or perimenopause (a transition time before menopause)
• Childbirth
• Breastfeeding
• Smoking
• Surgery to remove the ovaries
• Certain immune disorders
• Cancer treatments
• Anti-estrogen medicines

Douching and other irritants Certain soaps, lotions, perfumes, and douches can disrupt the natural balance of chemicals in your vagina, leading to dryness.

Other medicines Allergy, cold, and asthma medicines that contain antihistamines can have a drying effect on the body and contribute to reduced vaginal lubrication.

Certain antidepressants may also lead to a reduction in vaginal secretions.

Anxiety Stress and anxiety can affect sexual desire and may lead to vaginal dryness.

Sjogren's syndrome This rare autoimmune disease can cause dryness in the eyes, mouth, and vagina.

Low sexual desire A low libido or other sexual problems may give way to dryness, and conversely, the dryness may worsen libido.

How is Vaginal Dryness diagnosed?

If you have vaginal dryness, your doctor can perform:-

• A pelvic exam to determine whether the walls of your vagina are thin, pale, or red.
• You may also undergo testing of your hormone levels to see if you're going through menopause.
• Test your vaginal discharge to check for other causes of dryness.

 What are the treatments of Vaginal Dryness?

The main treatments that can help if you have a dry vagina are:

• Lubricants
• Vaginal moisturisers
• Vaginal oestrogen
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)