Vaginal Dryness: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment

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There may be many reasons for dryness in the vagina, the main factors include hormonal changes, the side effects of any medication including contraceptive pills and menopause. The problem of dryness in the vagina can occur to any woman at any age. However, most women at a young age undergo such issues, and at their mature age, they experience the dryness after menopause. In most of the cases women who are between 50-60 years of age experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness causes itching, discomfort during sex and pain due to dryness.

Symptoms

Among women, the symptoms of dryness in the vagina arise during the intercourse in most of the cases. Vaginal dryness can occur due to the following reasons:-

Thinning of the vaginal layer
Vaginal anaesthesia
Vaginal infection
Uneasiness
General unhappiness
Lack of moisture during intercourse
Frequent urine
Having sex
Cortisone
Light bleeding during intercourse

In addition to these, different women can experience different types of symptoms.

Many types of treatment are available to cure vaginal dryness. However, let’s take a glance at some of the most practical steps to remedy this condition.

1. Lubricants

Simply put, lubricants are the gel substance that lets the vagina remain moist during sex. Lubricants can be applied on the penis before penetration or can be put directly in the vagina to make it moist. This gives immediate relief from the vaginal dryness for a while. Lubricants are available in a range of varieties in pharmacies and shops. With expert assistance, you can pick up your most compatible lubricant.

2. Vaginal Moisturizer

Vaginal moisturizers are creams that keep the vagina moist. If dryness is not the only cause of problems during sex, then they can be better than lubricants, because its effect lasts for long. Usually, it needs to be applied consistently for a few days. Water-based moisturizers are generally considered to be the best, because latex condoms may not work well with oil or petroleum-based products, and occasional discomfort may occur in the vagina.

3. Vaginal Estrogen

If dryness in the vagina is due to menopause, the doctor can prescribe vital estrogen. It increases the low levels of estrogen during and after menopause. Vaginal estrogen comes in the form of pills that are usually meant to be tucked in the vagina itself much like the vaginal ring. Be it vaginal moisturiser or rings, all of them work equally well, however, using estrogen pills come off as comparatively more convenient.

It is commonly believed that Estrogen is more effective than treatment, lubricant, and moisturizer for women who are going through the phase of menopause. However, it may take a few weeks to start the work so you can use lubricant or moisturizer in the beginning. Typically, the treatment has to continue indefinitely because stuttering comes back when the medication is stopped.

4. Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT)

HRT is a treatment in which medicines are taken to replace those hormones which decrease in levels during menopause. Doctors prescribe these either as tablets or skin patches, implants in the skin or with gels on the surface. HRT has a more comprehensive effect on the body than in viral estrogen, so if you are experiencing other symptoms like menopause, such as hot flashes etc., it is a fairly good idea to use it. Given the side effects, it is always advisable to take full information from the doctor before usage. If there is any serious problem with their use, contact the doctor immediately.

Highlights

The uterus is an essential organ of the female reproductive system, and yet, it is hardly spoken of.

It performs a multitude of functions, each one key to a woman’s reproductive system and overall health.

When speaking of periods and the menstrual cycle, don’t leave the uterus out of the conversation.

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Shaped like an inverted pear and located in the lower area of our abdomen is the uterus. The uterus is an essential organ of the female reproductive system, and yet, it is hardly spoken of. Instead, most conversations about the female anatomy are simply limited to the vagina.

Today, we are going to take a step further and discuss WHY we need to talk about our uterus. The muscular organ that fertilizes the egg, regulates our menstrual cycle every month, and holds the fetus in our bodies for 9 months is no less than a super organ. It performs a multitude of functions, each one key to a woman’s reproductive system and overall health.

Let’s take a closer look.

What Does The Uterus Do?

Uterus and Periods
So, since you were a young girl, you have been having your menstrual cycles. But very few know what actually causes them. First off, let’s learn what the endometrium is. When a woman is of reproductive age, each month, her body releases hormones that cause ovulation. Around the same time of ovulation, the endometrium (lining of the uterus) grows thicker to prepare for a pregnancy. In the case where a woman does not get pregnant, the top layer of the endometrium, containing blood, tissues, etc., is shed. This is the flow of blood that we experience during our monthly menstrual cycles or periods.
Once menopause sets in, our bodies stop the production of the hormones that cause ovulation and menstruation.

Uterus and Fertilization
Chances of conceiving are higher when a man and woman engage in sexual intercourse within days of the woman’s ovulation. When the egg does get fertilized, that is when pregnancy occurs. The egg now attaches itself to the wall of the uterus and begins developing.
A major function of the uterus is to nourish and house the fertilized egg. This fertilized egg develops into a fetus and into a baby eventually. It is the uterus that holds the baby till it is mature and ready for birth.

Conditions That Affect The Uterus

Apart from being aware of how the uterus helps in reproduction, it’s also important to be aware of the various diseases that occur involving the organ.

Uterine Prolapses – A uterine prolapse occurs when the uterus slips from its normal place and shifts down into the vagina. This is common in women who have had multiple vaginal childbirths but can also occur from obesity or menopause.
Uterus Fibroids – These are non-cancerous growths in the uterus walls and can cause heavy bleeding and pain.
Endometriosis – This is a condition when the tissue that normally lines the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus. It can cause excessive bleeding and pain in between periods.
Adenomyosis – A condition opposite of endometriosis, this is when the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow inside the walls of the uterus. Again, this too causes severe pain and bleeding.
Cancer of the uterus, cervix, ovary, or endometrium – Cancer in any of these areas can be treated depending on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Several treatment options are available such as hysterectomy, chemotherapy, or radiation.

Now, this information isn’t being shared to scare you. But just like all other bodily diseases that we’re well versed with, we must also be aware of these. Regular visits and open conversations with your gynecologists can help detect and treat these conditions.

Hysterectomy & Other Solutions

A hysterectomy is a surgery wherein your uterus is removed from your body. Along with the uterus, the doctor may also remove your ovaries and fallopian tubes. Post a hysterectomy, you will no longer menstruate or be able to get pregnant.

A hysterectomy is usually recommended to treat the diseases listed above. However, it isn’t the only solution and may not always be necessary. Depending on your condition, the following treatments can also be tried at first:

Watchful waiting
Medications
Exercising
Non-surgical treatments

The uterus is said to be one of the strongest muscles in the human body. Apart from its role in the reproductive functions, it also offers support to our bladder, pelvic region, and organs and acts as a separator between the bladder and bowels.

When speaking of periods and the menstrual cycle, don’t leave the uterus out of the conversation. If you’re a parent to a young daughter, this is even more essential. Or even if it’s with your gang of girlfriends, try and be more open to information-sharing. Knowledge is key and knowing why your body acts the way it does is empowering to say the least. The uterus supports us through multiple stages of our lives. It’s high time we speak about it, isn’t it?