Normally, the walls of the vagina are kept lubricated with a thin layer of a transparent liquid. ESTROGEN, an important hormone, helps maintain that fluid (the natural lubrication of the vagina) and keeps the vaginal mucosa healthy, thick and elastic. During menopause, the decrease in estrogen levels reduces the amount of available liquid, and natural lubrication is no longer at optimal levels. Also, the vagina is less elastic and thinner.
As estrogen hormone levels decrease, the vaginal tissue becomes thin and dry, causing irritation and pruritus (itching). This will also affect local blood flow, with a decrease in pH favoring vaginal infections. Disrupted blood flow leads to a decrease in local lubrication with the onset of vaginal dryness. The profile of patients experiencing vaginal dryness is different and studies show that different women belonging to different age groups experience this condition.
Vaginal dryness is caused by a decrease in estrogen hormones. There are several conditions that lead to reduced estrogen secretion.
Giving birth and breastfeeding are also moments in a woman’s life when there is a decrease in the amount of estrogen. As a result, vaginal lubrication can be difficult during this period. However, the level of estrogen in the blood varies during the monthly menstrual cycle. For women who are not on hormone-based contraception, estrogen levels drop before and at the end of menstrual bleeding. For this reason, some women experience a certain vulvar and vaginal dryness.
Pre-menopausal women, those who are breastfeeding, those who have had a hysterectomy or cancer patients who have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also have low levels of estrogen.
Vaginal dryness is another common symptom of menopause, and nearly one in three women experience this symptom while going through the “menopause changes”. Vaginal dryness becomes even more common in the post-menopausal period.
Vaginal dryness is caused by a decrease in estrogen hormones. There are several conditions that lead to reduced estrogen secretion.
Giving birth and breastfeeding are also moments in a woman’s life when there is a decrease in the amount of estrogen. As a result, vaginal lubrication can be difficult during this period. However, the level of estrogen in the blood varies during the monthly menstrual cycle. For women who are not on hormone-based contraception, estrogen levels drop before and at the end of menstrual bleeding. For this reason, some women experience a certain vulvar and vaginal dryness.
Pre-menopausal women, those who are breastfeeding, those who have had a hysterectomy or cancer patients who have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy may also have low levels of estrogen.
Vaginal dryness is another common symptom of menopause, and nearly one in three women experience this symptom while going through the “menopause changes”. Vaginal dryness becomes even more common in the post-menopausal period.
Regardless of the cause, vaginal dryness can be extremely uncomfortable. Untreated, it can lead to itching, burning sensation and pain during intercourse.
According to several population-based studies, more than half of postmenopausal women over the age of 51 suffer from mild or severe vaginal dryness related to specific changes in menopausal hormone regulation related to declining estrogen levels.
The treatment depends on the cause that triggered the vaginal dryness. Women who have problems with the natural lubrication of the vagina, due to hormonal changes, can often benefit from estrogen therapy. In addition to estrogen treatment or if the side effects caused by hormonal treatment are difficult to bear, products with moisturizing agents that help introduce and maintain water at the level of the vaginal mucosa are recommended.
Different diseases
such as depression, stress, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome.
Medications
like antidiabetic, antihypertensive, contraceptive, anti-estrogen, used to treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Therapies or surgeries
radiation therapy, chemotherapy or ovarectomy.
Birth
immediately after birth and during breastfeeding, women often experience vaginal dryness.
Different diseases
such as depression, stress, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome.
Medications
like antidiabetic, antihypertensive, contraceptive, anti-estrogen, used to treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Therapies or surgeries
radiation therapy, chemotherapy or ovarectomy.
Birth
immediately after birth and during breastfeeding, women often experience vaginal dryness.
The use of products with hyaluronic acid is not only an alternative treatment
to vaginal estrogens, but is considered for general
use in women who have vaginal dryness of any cause.
The use of products with hyaluronic acid is not only an alternative treatment
to vaginal estrogens, but is considered for general
use in women who have vaginal dryness of any cause.
