Vaginal dryness, irritation and pain with intercourse are bothersome symptoms of menopause Every woman that goes through the menopause will have to face the situation with the symptoms like vaginal dryness, irritation and painful intercourse in one day or the other. Understanding the reason for and getting the awareness of the reasons that cause will help in decreasing the count of women suffering silently without taking any necessary steps.
“As women go through menopause, they experience problems like vaginal dryness, itching, irritation and discomfort. This is felt in day-to-day activities and especially in relation to sexual activity and bladder problems.”
The lack of production of estrogen by the ovaries causes the skin of the vulva and its architecture to become thin and shrunken and less elastic. The glands that normally keep the vulva soft and moist dry up. Even getting aroused doesn’t produce the same kind of lubrication as it used to before menopause. This is because the glands which normally produce the lubricating fluid dry up without the effect of estrogen.
We now know that estrogen receptors are present throughout the genitals in women – the vulva, vagina, cervix, perineum, anus, bladder and bowel.
The labia can shrink and the clitoris can become either exposed and hypersensitive or buried under fused and shrunken labia.
“Many women find that the appearance of the vulva changes and this can affect their self-esteem. The fat pad may become prominent on the mons and the labia can become flabby. If the outer lips thin out too much the inner smaller lips can become prominent and cause discomfort when they rub on underwear or get pulled during intercourse.”
Thinning of the skin of the vulva can cause pain and discomfort with sex and even cause small tears that bleed easily.
The vaginal pH changes and there is an increased risk of infection and an altered discharge that can become smelly. Infections can add to the sensation of burning and irritation.
Many women try a variety of home remedies like olive oil, coconut oil and combinations of almond oil, jojoba oil or aloe vera. There are a number of herbal preparations that can help too.
The most effective treatment is of course vaginal estrogen. This is often administered as tablets, gels, creams or rings inserted into the vagina. Vaginal estrogen is safe and highly effective at reducing the distress caused by symptoms of vaginal dryness.
Some women cannot use vaginal estrogen for a variety of reasons. One of the main ones is recovery from hormone dependent cancers. The chemo and radiotherapy can cause severe vaginal dryness and irritation. A variety of medications have been researched and are approved for use by such patients.
Some newer medications are Ospemifene and Bazedoxifene. Lasers have also been found to be useful to treat vulvovaginal dryness and atrophy in cancer patients.
You can read more about vaginal dryness and its management in this article.
Sex and menopause
Vulvovaginal dryness and atrophy can severely affect comfort and enjoyment of sex. The vagina doesn’t lubricate as well and getting aroused can take a lot of effort.
Many women give up being sexually active after the age of 50. Loss of desire, arousal and difficulty with getting an orgasm, difficulty communicating about changing needs and age-related stress can significantly impact relationships.
The psychological symptoms of menopause can trigger angry outbursts and problems in the bedroom can blow up into relationship stress.
Add to this the symptoms of hot flashes, body ache, palpitations, heavy periods, anaemia, anxiety and depression and you can see how intimacy and sex are easily sacrificed in the day-to-day struggle to manage health issues relating to menopause.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, menopause can bring uncomfortable changes like dryness and discomfort in private areas.vaginal estrogen can be a potential solution, and Ospemifene and Bazedoxifene can act as the replacement and alternative in place of the vaginal estrogen. These canges can also affect the relations that the person maintains and can affect the well being in both mental and physical level.
Do write to me at masterthemenopause@gmail.com about what you liked in this article and whether it helped you address some of your concerns.
References:
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