The symptoms of vaginal atrophy can be persistent, embarrassing and downright frustrating: no matter how much you shift in your seat or cross and uncross your legs, relief stays just out of reach. Vaginal atrophy can also be responsible for pain during urination or sex. If this sounds familiar, it’s not surprising: up to 40% of women experience menopause related vaginal atrophy (and most never discuss with their doctors or receive treatment).
If this sensation has become a regular part of your life, it’s time to speak with your doctor. Unlike many symptoms related to perimenopause or menopause that may improve with time, untreated vaginal dryness typically progresses with time so there are no prizes for pushing through.
You don’t need to suffer, there are effective treatments to consider.
Why does it happen?
Estrogen plays a part in keeping vaginal and vulval tissue healthy: thick, elastic and moist. During perimenopause, both estrogen levels and the number of estrogen receptors in the vagina/vulva decrease leaving them thinner, drier and weaker- a recipe for irritation.
The body produces a natural vaginal lubrication which enters the vaginal wall through blood vessels. Usually, when aroused, blood flow increases as does the levels of lubrication, without this lubrication sexual satisfaction can decrease or pain during sex may be experienced.
Management:
While vaginal dryness is very common in perimenopausal and menopausal women, it is still necessary to exclude other potential causes such as infection or skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.
Treatment options to discuss with your doctor include:
- Over the counter vaginal moisturisers, lubricants
- Localised hormone therapy eg. estrogen creams/pessary or DHEA suppositories.
- Systemic MHT (usually reserved if also treating other symptoms as well as vaginal dryness)
