Vaginal dryness plagues women of all ages and can negatively affect love life. How the intimate area has changed over the years and when you should go to the doctor.
Women with a dry intimate area often find sexual intercourse unpleasant or painful. The reason for this is usually a high estrogen level in menopause. But vaginal dryness can occur even at a young age – and negatively influence sex life. You can find out what the symptoms relieved and when you should go to the doctor in this guide.
At a young age it is often a disturbed vaginal flora that leads to drought. Reasons can be hormonal influences in puberty, an exaggerated intimate hygiene and infections. School, professional and private stress can also influence the secretion production of the vagina. Even young women who are afraid of sexual experiences or who cannot relax with their partner can stay dry and not be sufficiently secreted for sexual intercourse.
“In addition, strong consumption of luxury foods such as alcohol and nicotine can lead to increased drought. Vaginal dryness can also appear as a local side effect of certain pills preparations,” says Dr. Frank Thieme, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics and state chairman Saxony-Anhalt of the professional association of gynecologist e. V. (BVF).
In most cases, hormonal changes are the cause of vaginal dryness. In recent years, hormonal contraceptives can influence the vaginal flora, for example taking some anti -Bab types or the use of a contraceptive ring. After birth, some women also suffer from vaginal dryness. The reason for this is also a lack of estrogen, which typically occurs as a side effect of the lactation. With increasing age, it is primarily menopause -related changes in the hormonal balance that lead to a dry vagina.
“Today, it is assumed that the composition of the flora or the microorganisms in the vagina – but also, for example, in intestine, nose, mouth and throat – are influenced and changed by the estrogen level. Therefore, hormonal changes that occur around the menopause in the middle age are playing an important role – as for all mucous membranes in the body,” explains the gynecologist.
Dr. med. Frank Thieme is a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics as well as state chairman of Saxony-Anhalt of the professional association of gynecologist e. V. (BVF).
- Read too: What is important when it comes to intimate care in menopause
In menopause, many women notice increasing vaginal dryness through symptoms such as burning, itching, feelings of tension and pain during sex. A dry vagina is more sensitive and small injuries can form in the tissue. Due to the decline in estrogen production, mucous membrane secretion goes back and the blood circulation of the vagina becomes less.
The dry vagina is stressful for many women, especially in sexual intercourse. The vagina stays dry, even if the woman feels like sex. The penetration hurts. And even after sex, an uncomfortable burning and itching often remain. Pain during sex inhibit lust. In order to improve the sliding capacity, women can fall back on special ointments and gels for the genital area that have a composition tailored to the pH of the vagina and with moisture maintaining and protecting the dry vagina. Even estrogen ointments are also possible that are applied directly in the vagina. The gynecologist can advise on this.
What is often not aware of many women: medication can also be a possible cause of vaginal dryness. This includes, for example, certain cancer medication. “Taking other drugs, such as anti -ecostrogens, antihistamines or antidepressants, can also have a dry vaginal skin as a side effect,” explains the gynecologist.
Certain diseases also reduce secretion production: “This includes, for example, diabetes mellitus. The ‘diabetes’ disease’ weakens the vaginal flora, influences the bacterial composition and favors dryness. High blood pressure can also cause a dry sheath,” says Thieme.
