Vaginal dryness is a somewhat taboo menopause symptom that women are less likely to discuss with their doctor than hot flashes or mood swings because it involves intimacy and can cause embarrassment.
However, this symptom is quite common! After menopause, around 30% of women experience vaginal dryness, though it is less frequent during perimenopause (still affecting about 15% of women).
Vaginal dryness occurs during menopause because it results from the many changes happening in a woman’s body during this transition, particularly hormonal changes that can cause various issues. After menopause, the body no longer produces female sex hormones, especially estrogen, which plays a key role in keeping the vaginal mucous membranes well-lubricated. The cells of our genital organs have numerous estrogen receptors, and the lack of estrogen characteristic of menopause significantly affects their function.
How to Recognize Vaginal Dryness
This symptom can be very uncomfortable during sexual intercourse but also in daily life. Some women report irritation or itching that occurs even while walking.
Sometimes, vaginal dryness is visible to the naked eye: the labia are atrophied, appearing lighter (when they should normally be pink).
What Are the Consequences of Vaginal Dryness?
Intimate dryness can lead to numerous issues: pain during sexual intercourse, irritation, or even infections because the tissues are no longer sufficiently hydrated and healthy and cannot maintain a proper local pH.
Often, vaginal dryness is part of a broader syndrome called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). The tissues and mucous membranes around the sexual organs become atrophied, and vaginal dryness is no longer the only symptom—it can be accompanied by urinary infections or urinary incontinence due to the weakening of the tissues.
Vaginal Dryness and Libido
The consequences of vaginal dryness are not only physical but also psychological. Vaginal dryness can have a very negative effect on libido since women may experience pain and, therefore, lose the desire for sexual activity. Additionally, urinary incontinence associated with it can cause self-consciousness, making women afraid to engage in sexual activity because they no longer feel confident in their bodies.
If you’re experiencing a decrease in libido, vaginal dryness is the number one symptom to address to regain a quality sex life and enjoy intimate moments, either alone or with your partner. It’s very important to communicate about any pain during intercourse with your partner.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
The deterioration of vaginal tissues and the decreased effectiveness of natural hydration and lubrication are the causes of what we call vaginal dryness or vaginal atrophy. All of this is triggered by the reduced production of estrogen.
This reduction leads to decreased vascularization of the tissues, making vaginal tissue thinner, drier, and less elastic daily. Additionally, this reduced vascularization means that blood flow to the vaginal tissues is weaker during arousal.
However, this blood flow allows plasma to filter through the vaginal wall (a process known as transudation). This means there’s less of this “natural lubricant.”
The reduction in estrogen production also decreases the production of cervical mucus by the glands in the cervix, which can result in a loss of its hydrating effect.
In conclusion, the thinning of tissues, loss of elasticity, and reduction in secretions can lead to microtears during sexual intercourse and sometimes discomfort during daily movements.
Additionally, at the time of menopause, the protective vaginal flora decreases, which can promote certain infections. The thinning of the superficial layer of the vagina induces a change in the local bacterial flora, creating an environment more conducive to the development of certain bacteria.
Is This Dryness Always Limited to the Vagina?
In fact, vaginal tissues aren’t the only ones rich in estrogen receptors: other tissues can also be affected by the reduced production of estrogen during menopause.
This includes the lower third of the vagina and its vestibule, as well as the labia, urethra, and bladder. So dryness isn’t necessarily limited to the vagina, and what’s now sometimes referred to as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is more comprehensive.
What to Do in Case of Vaginal Dryness?
Consult Your Gynecologist
Too many women tend to think that intimate dryness is normal, that it’s just part of aging for women. But that’s not the case—it’s absolutely not a given, and you should definitely talk about it with your gynecologist or general practitioner! While it’s not a disease, it’s a medical condition that needs to be treated because it severely affects women’s quality of life: it causes pain, degrades their sexuality and self-confidence, and can lead to infections, so it needs to be treated!
Your gynecologist can prescribe various treatments, such as hormonal treatment containing estrogen, applied locally to the vaginal walls, or other products like water-based and hyaluronic acid vaginal moisturizers to restore proper hydration to the mucous membranes.
Use a Lubricant
Finally, for sexual intercourse, make sure to use a good lubricant! It will provide momentary lubrication, while hormonal treatment, on the other hand, is a long-term approach that will help you regain good lubrication and hydration of the mucous membranes.
How Amira and Terra Can Help
For those seeking relief from vaginal dryness and other menopause symptoms, Amira offers a natural and innovative solution. Our product, Terra, is designed to help women navigate menopause with greater ease. While Terra primarily focuses on providing relief from hot flashes by predicting and preemptively cooling them at night, it's also part of a broader commitment to supporting women during this transition. By maintaining hormonal balance and promoting overall well-being, Terra can contribute to improving your quality of life during menopause.
It’s important to remember that if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, consulting a specialist (gynecologist) and hydrating your mucous membranes is crucial. However, it’s never recommended to clean the vagina with douches, as this can disrupt the vaginal flora and lead to further complications like urinary tract infections or yeast infections.
If you suffer from an imbalance in your vaginal flora, other treatments, such as probiotics, are available. These good bacteria can be taken in capsule or ovule form or may be present in some moisturizers, helping to restore your vagina’s natural balance.
Supported by Amytis Heim, Gynecologist
