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4.2.16

What You Need to Know About Vaginal Dryness

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.


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