A dry vagina is a common problem for women that affects their enjoyment of sex.
Although
many women are embarrassed to discuss vaginal dryness, the truth is
that it is something most of us will grapple with a dry vagina at some
point in our lives. There are many causes for vaginal dryness, but
perhaps the most common is menopause. In fact, research indicates that
40 to 60 percent of women suffer from vaginal dryness as a result of
menopause.
Menopause
causes a dip in estrogen which can sometimes lead to vaginal dryness.
Estrogen plays a role in vaginal lubrication, and it also helps to
balance the pH of the vagina; so when menopause strikes, women are more
likely to suffer from vaginal dryness along with yeast infections (which
result from the pH being off-balance). As if hot flashes weren’t bad
enough!
Menopause
isn’t the only culprit behind vaginal dryness. It’s also linked to
hormonal birth control, douching, infection, and stress. Sadly, some
women don’t ever discover the cause for their vaginal dryness because
they are too embarrassed to broach the topic with their doctor. Yet a
dry vagina can negatively interfere with a woman’s sexual enjoyment. It
can make sex painful and lead to problems in a couple’s relationship. If
the pain and dryness a woman experiences continues untreated for a long
period of time, she may begin to cringe at the very idea of sex. This
can lead her to resist sexual advances from her partner altogether, and
even if the
vaginal dryness does eventually abate, her memories of painful intercourse might still haunt her.
Fortunately,
there are a number of treatments, including prescription estrogen
creams, which can reverse vaginal dryness and restore healthy vaginal
tissue. Lubrication is crucial for comfort, but you can find lubricants
that can actually increase your enjoyment. There are many lubricants on
the market that intensify sensations and increase sexual enjoyment for
both you and your partner.
It’s
also important to ensure that your lifestyle is as healthy as possible,
and to be wary of what causes vaginal dryness. As if you needed another
reason to quit smoking, cigarettes can decrease circulation, which
could intensify vaginal dryness. Alcohol can decrease your sensations
and lead to a dry vagina, so limit yourself to only one or two glasses
of wine, especially if you plan on having sex later.
Additionally,
when it comes to sexuality, it’s important to remember that if you
don’t use it, you lose it! Regular sexual activity will not only lead to
more orgasms for you and your partner, but it will also improve
circulation to your genitals and help increase natural lubrication. Sex
aids can also be a wonderful way to increase your pleasure and heighten
your sexual arousal, whether you want to use them alone or with your
partner. And, if you are shy about heading to a sex store, you can
discreetly order from a site like drugstore.com. Your neighbors will be
none the wiser!
Last
but not least, it’s important to bring this issue up with your doctor.
There is no expiration date on your sexuality, and it is up to you to
safeguard your sexual health throughout your life.
Source : http://www.everydayhealth.com
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