Are you experiencing vaginal dryness? It's an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition. Many women don't bother visiting the doctor for a diagnosis of the problem; they choose to live with it instead.
What are the Causes of Vaginal Dryness?
There are several contributing factors to developing vaginal dryness. Childbirth, menopause, and hormonal imbalance are a few examples of common causes of dryness. These factors influence the production of estrogen and the balance between progesterone and estrogen in the body.
Estrogen is the hormone responsible for maintaining your sexual health. When you're deficient in it, you experience the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. These symptoms of low estrogen include a thinning of the vaginal walls and dryness. As a result, sex with your partner becomes painful, and you try to avoid it wherever possible.
Estrogen levels can diminish for the following reasons.
- Menopause
- Removal of the ovaries or womb
- Breastfeeding
- Chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments
- Anti-estrogen medications for the treatment of endometriosis or breast cancer
Other less-common causes of vaginal dryness include the auto-immune disorder, "Sjögren's syndrome," which creates inflammation in the cervix gland. Antihistamine use also dries up the cervix gland and produces side effects of urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness.
Antidepressant use can reduce libido, cause dryness, and reduce circulation to the vagina during sex, causing pain. The condition "Flammer syndrome" can cause dryness, and lifestyle choices, like smoking and drinking, can influence estrogen production, resulting in dryness.
What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness?
It's frustrating to live with vaginal dryness. You may experience the following adverse effects from the condition.
- Itching and irritation
- A burning sensation
- Painful penetrative sex
- Discomfort when you're active
- High risk of developing urinary tract infections or other conditions like BV
A drop in estrogen levels leads to a condition known as "vaginal atrophy." As this condition progresses, it causes thinning of the vaginal walls and lowers the production of lubricant by the cervical gland. They may experience tightness of the vagina that's uncomfortable and narrowing of the vaginal canal leading to pain during sex, a condition known as "dyspareunia."
How Do Doctors Diagnose Vaginal Dryness?
Vaginal dryness affects women of all ages and for different reasons. However, less than 4% of women who experience the condition seek treatment for it with a medical professional. Most women feel embarrassed about discussing it with their doctor, leading them to stay away from treatment.
However, it's crucial for women to talk to their doctor. Leaving vaginal dryness undiagnosed and untreated can cause the onset of infections and severe diseases like PID. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms described earlier.
During your consultation, your doctor will ask about your sexual health and activity. They won't judge your behavior; they're just looking for possible causes of your condition. The physician may ask about changes to your cycle, and they may take a swab to send to the lab for further testing.
There's no single test to diagnose vaginal dryness. Your doctor bases their diagnosis based on your symptoms and their discovery phase in the consultation.
Solutions & Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
Fortunately, you have several options to help you overcome the challenge of living with vaginal dryness.
HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy
When women experience the onset of menopause, it causes vaginal dryness as estrogen levels drop. So, to counter the problem, they visit the doctor for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is available in several products, each with unique properties. However, they all increase estrogen levels in the body, alleviating the symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness.
Some of the common HRT products doctors prescribe to omen include the following.
E-string Vaginal Ring – This flexible ring inserts into the vagina, releasing a steady estrogen flow into vaginal tissues. It requires replacement every 90 days and is popular due to its low maintenance responsibility.
Vagifem Pills – These estrogen tablets are inserted into the vagina using an applicator. The pills absorb into vaginal tissues, alleviating symptoms of menopause.
Vaginal Creams – Similar to the pills discussed, but in cream format, applied to the vagina using a special applicator.
HRT is effective at relieving the physiological and psychological problems associated with menopause. However, it doesn't help if you're a young woman and you experience vaginal dryness for other reasons. If that's the case, there are OTC treatments to help you manage your condition.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
There are several OTC options to help you deal with the impact of vaginal dryness on your quality of life. Lubricants are usually the first thing women turn to for relief. You can use natural lubes like olive and coconut oil or synthetic lubricants like those you buy from sex shops online.
However, these topical treatments don't provide any lasting relief. You need to apply them when you need them, and they don't do much to soothe symptoms of irritation during the day. Vaginal moisturizers are an option for improving day-to-day dryness but also require replication.
Eliminate Vaginal Dryness with Lubracil – 100% SBO17 Extract
You don't have to live with vaginal dryness. If you don't qualify for HRT or can't cope with its side effects, you have a natural alternative to alleviate vaginal dryness. Lubracil is a revolutionary vaginal hydrator and restoration formula.
This lubricator is an oral formula featuring sea buckthorn extract. Take two soft gel capsules daily, and you'll experience lasting relief from vaginal dryness in as little as two weeks. The formulation's omega EFAs, and vitamin E lubricate the vagina and reduce inflammation.
You don't need any other lubricants, Lubracil hydrates and moisturizes the vagina. Say goodbye to discomfort and irritation and embrace Lubracil after a month with this potent hydrating formula; you'll never be without it again.
Lubracil alleviates vaginal dryness associated with all the issues discussed in this post. It's a great choice for any cause of vaginal dryness, providing fast results in a few weeks. Give it a try for yourself and experience a sustainable solution to vaginal dryness and a huge improvement in your quality of life.
