Treating Feminine Dryness

A healthy vagina produces a thin layer of natural lubricant to keep it moist and free from friction. It also aids sperm as they travel toward an egg.

Menopausally transitioning to lower estrogen levels can cause the lubrication of your vagina to diminish. This condition, known as vulvovaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis, may leave you feeling itchy, dry, or uncomfortable during sex.

Special Lubricants

Vaginal lubricants are a widely-used product to treat symptoms of vaginal dryness. These work by replacing natural secretions in your vagina and making it feel moister, helping reduce pain associated with genital dryness.

But it is essential to use a lubricant that is secure for both you and your partner. Chemical ingredients in some lubricants can be toxic to vaginal tissue as well as the microbiome that naturally inhabits it.

Water-based lubricants can be easily found at drugstores and contain glycerin, a natural moisturizer. Unfortunately, some people are sensitive to glycerin and may suffer from yeast infections as a result.

Silicone-based lubricants are long-lasting and less likely to irritate. Furthermore, they’re hypoallergenic – making them perfect for intimate moments.

Oil-based lubricants can degrade the quality of your sex toys, so it’s best to steer clear of them. Furthermore, some lubricants contain parabens – a type of preservative that has been linked to mild estrogen-like effects on your body and has even been linked to breast cancer.

Proper Diet

Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for overall good health, and that includes your vagina. Certain foods can support proper vaginal function by helping prevent bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.

Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can be an effective way to reduce vaginal dryness, as can taking probiotics, drinking enough water, and staying active through exercise.

A nutritious diet can also help combat stress and anxiety, which have been known to aggravate dryness. Other ways to reduce stress include practicing good vaginal hygiene and getting enough rest at night.

Exercise

Vaginal dryness is a relatively common symptom that affects nearly every woman at some point in her life. Whether it’s caused by menopause, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications, there are treatments available that may provide some relief.

Exercising is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, helping to regulate weight, boost moods and boost energy levels. Furthermore, it may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, or certain types of cancer.

But it’s essential to select the correct exercises and avoid overdoing them or becoming injured. The ideal workout routines should be gentle, don’t put too much strain on the groin area, and include a variety of movements.

Pilates, yoga, and Kegels can be especially helpful for women suffering from vaginal dryness. These exercises build weak vaginal muscles while increasing blood flow to the pelvic floor to lubricate it more effectively. However, any exercise program should always be closely monitored by a healthcare professional for maximum safety and effectiveness.

Stress Management

Stress is an inevitable part of life, yet if not managed effectively it can have negative consequences. Stress has been known to cause physical and psychological health issues like anxiety or depression.

It can also affect the body’s production of hormones. This could result in decreased vaginal lubrication, leading to painful sex and more frequent yeast infections.

Dr. Uma Vaidyanathan, senior consultant in gynecology and obstetrics at Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, states that stress increases levels of cortisol and other stress hormones like norepinephrine which may interfere with estrogen-related maintenance of vaginal lining and glycogen accumulation.

These stress hormones can also lower the vaginal pH, creating an environment that encourages bacterial vaginosis and other infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia trachomatis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To combat this effect it’s essential to find ways of managing your stress. Meditating or practicing mindfulness are two great techniques for managing stress; they help reframe thoughts so you see stressors in a more positive light.