To use hormones or not to use hormones? That…is a very good question.
Vaginal Dryness can be a really debilitating and embarrassing problem, despite it being a very common and treatable complaint. The key is in prevention and maintenance to stop a dry, itch, scratch, itch, scratch more, itch more cycle!
But what exactly causes that sandpaper sensation? Is it really curable? What can you do about it? Let’s take a deep dive.
What exactly do we mean when we talk about vaginal dryness?
It sounds a bit pernickety, but I get all my clients to be really specific when I’m asking about their discomfort down there – not only does it give me specific information to work with and come up with the best individualised treatment but it also tends to lead to a bit of an impromptu biology lesson! It’s cliche to say knowledge is power, but I’ve found over the years that when women understand their bodies better, and get more in tune with it, their symptoms often become a lot less distressing and concerning.
When most women talk about ‘vaginal’ dryness they often mean a feeling of chafing, irritation, itching and soreness akin to feeling like a piece of sand paper down there. These symptoms are actually from the skin of the VULVA and not necessarily the vagina. Vaginal dryness tends to produce symptoms like a stabbing, tight, or deep discomfort during intercourse or when trying to insert a tampon rather than the more typically associated vulval symptoms. The skin of the vulva has a similar nerve supply to that of normal skin – there is a very specific, pinpoint interpretation of pain whereas the vagina is a lot less pin-point and tends to react more to stretch and friction/movement. Why am i mentioning this? Surely the treatment is still the same?! Well, yes and no! Firstly lets look at what causes these symptoms in the first instance.
What causes vulval and vaginal dryness?
The vaginal and vulval tissues are teaming with ‘receptors’ on the cell membranes for Oestrogen. This means they rely on oestrogen for certain cell functions, one of which is to keep the surfaces moist and healthy. When estrogen levels naturally drop during the peri-menopause, being postnatal, breastfeeding or with certain medications so do moisture levels in those cells.
How to treat vulval and vaginal dryness
You have a few options when it comes to treating vaginal dryness. As most ‘dryness’ is caused by a low level of oestrogen, you can opt to replace that oestrogen directly in the form of a cream or vaginal pessary (tablet that goes into the vagina) If your dryness is caused by perimenopause/menopause, postpartum, or breastfeeding, Estradiol Vaginal Cream is one option you can explore. Vaginal estrogen is a safe and effective way to restore estrogen that’s been lost and tends to carry fewer risks than oral estrogen. It’s been approved by the FDA since the 1980s and there’s little absorption from the vaginal tissues systemically, so this is a great option for people who have health conditions that prevent them from taking oral estrogen. It works over time to rejuvenate vaginal tissue and protect against the effects of low estrogen. If hormonal options aren’t for you, there are still other ways to treat vaginal dryness! Non-Hormonal Vaginal Moisturizer is a hormone-free cream that is safe for anyone experiencing vaginal dryness. It can be used in conjunction with Estradiol Vaginal Cream for quicker relief, or on its own as a safe option for those who can’t use hormones. Connect with a Wisp doctor to get the treatment that’s right for you and get relief!
Vaginal dryness and painful sex
Painful sex is a common side effect of vaginal dryness (you can imagine why). You may find that your libido is lowered, particularly if your vaginal dryness is caused by changes in your hormones, but if you’re interested in pursuing sex, vaginal pain or dryness shouldn’t get in your way.
Incorporate lube into your routine. You know the drill! Adding lube during sex provides a more pleasurable experience, including for those of us experiencing menopause. This simple solution adds moisture and lubrication back to the vagina to decrease friction and increase pleasure. In fact, we recommend it for everyone!
Maximize your orgasm. During the menopausal transition, blood flow to the vagina and clitoris decreases. If you usually need clitoral stimulation in order to orgasm, the resulting decrease in sensitivity can make orgasm more difficult to achieve and make the experience of sex frustrating. A prescription cream like wisp’s OMG! Cream includes the same prescription ingredient as Viagra to increase blood flow instantly and make orgasm easier and more satisfying.
Get the urinary support you need. With menopausal women being at higher risk for UTIs, preventing UTIs (especially those caused by sex) is extra important. D-Mannose helps flush UTI-causing bacteria from your system before it has a chance to take hold. Incorporate it into your routine, and be sure to pee after sex every time!
Painful sex, sometimes referred to as dyspareunia, can be caused by vaginal dryness, but it can also be caused by:
Health concerns that affect the skin and/or genitals like ulcers and cracks (exacerbated by vaginal dryness during intercourse), or infections like yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Pelvic conditions that cause internal pain like endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), uterine fibroids, or cystitis.
Vaginismus, a condition where the vaginal muscles spontaneously tighten and make any kind of insertion very painful and difficult.
If you aren’t sure about the cause of painful sex for you, talk to a doctor about your symptoms to be sure you’re getting the care you need!
If you’re dealing with vaginal discomfort, there’s no need to suffer in silence. Wisp can deliver the care you need, whether that’s hormonal or non-hormonal treatment, lube for a smoother ride, or OMG! Cream to heat things up. We are giving you the tools to own your sexual health!
