Vaginal dryness is a common problem for many people. It may appear in certain stages of life. It is very common especially during the dreaded menopause due to a reduction in oestrogen. This lack of natural lubrication grows into a very annoying condition because it can also cause pain during sex and the emergence of other diseases inside the vagina. To know in detail what the causes are, in the following OneHowTo article we cover all the possible causes of vaginal dryness. Pay attention and sort out your little secret!
Vaginal dryness and a lack of lubrication in the intimate area can lead you to experience symptoms as:
- Pain, discomfort, burning, or itching in the vagina.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Mild vaginal discharge.
- Light bleeding after sexual intercourse.
It is a condition that all individuals may suffer at any point in their lives, especially when they get older. However, when it becomes prolonged it is critical to go to the gynaecologist to diagnose the causes and to get appropriate treatment in each case.
The main cause of vaginal dryness lies in the hormonal changes the person undergoes in very specific moments of their life. These are driven by a decrease in the amount of oestrogen, the hormones which are responsible for maintaining moisture and vaginal lubrication. The reduction of these hormones occurs usually in stages such as pregnancy, lactation or the menopause and sometimes that causes the vaginal tissue to shrink, to become thicker and therefore also to swell and become dry.
Especially in the last few months of pregnancy, after childbirth or while breastfeeding, many women have this problem because oestrogen levels are usually lower than normal. In these cases, the dryness disappears after these stages once the hormone levels return to normal.
Vaginal dryness is much more common problem during the menopause due to the cessation of ovarian function, oestrogen levels decrease considerably. In those cases where it is more pronounced, therapy may be prescribed such as vaginal oestrogen cream, as pills or crèmes, or oestrogen administration by a skin patch or a pill as required. The doctor or gynaecologist must prescribe the best treatment for each case. If you also want to know how others cope with their own conditions of this stage, we suggest that you consult the OneHowTo article on how to relieve symptoms of the menopause.
Besides the above, there are other factors that may trigger oestrogens to be decreased and so, creating vaginal dryness. Among them are some hormonal drugs such as anti-conception pills or drug therapies used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, uterine cancers or breast cancer. Likewise, it has also been suggested that some antidepressants, anti-ulcer or anti-hypertensives, may have vaginal dryness among their side effects.
Stress or a nasty wave of depression or an emotional disorder should also be considered, as they cause an increased release of cortisol in the blood, which simultaneously causes an imbalance in other hormones. That is why this can influence oestrogen reduction, leading to vaginal dryness. We have also highlighted factors that increase your chance of developing this lack of lubrication, such as smoking and the over-consumption of alcohol or drugs.
Moreover, vaginal dryness is something that can be worsened by poor personal hygiene habits and the use of unsuitable products in your lady garden. Soaps, detergents, deodorants or intimate fragrances are aggressive and should be avoided, because they might interfere directly in the health of your vagina. It is important to wash the area with a specific soap with a suitable pH and to avoid douching and making good use of pads and tampons. Wash the genital area before and after sex, use cotton underwear. Do not wear clothes that are too tight at the bottom. For more details, see the OneHowTo article on how to maintain good feminine hygiene.
Finally, we must consider the importance of keeping the body well hydrated, as this is essential to protect and promote the secretion of various body fluids. A lack of water in the body can also lead to disease related problems such as vaginal dryness. Strive to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water and your overall health will benefit.
If you also know the causes of vaginal dryness, you may be interested in finding useful natural solutions to combat this nasty problem. Consult the OneHowTo article on how to combat vaginal dryness.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Causes Of Vaginal Dryness, we recommend you visit our Family health category.