{"id":1593,"date":"2023-01-12T09:17:14","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T09:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/?p=1593"},"modified":"2023-01-19T09:28:52","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T09:28:52","slug":"vaginal-dryness-causes-treatments-and-natural-remedies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/vaginal-dryness-causes-treatments-and-natural-remedies\/","title":{"rendered":"Vaginal Dryness: Causes, Treatments, and Natural Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When experts need to define vaginal dryness, they will often say that it\u2019s more of a painful symptom than an actual disease. Still, it can profoundly affect a person\u2019s quality of life because it can cause discomfort and even pain during exercising, urination, sitting, and intercourse (also known as dyspareunia).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, the problems of vaginal itching and dryness can be effectively tackled with the right kind of professional help. So, if you are looking for stellar services in <\/span><a href=\"\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, schedule an appointment with our practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, we\u2019ll talk about this uncomfortable symptom and will also discuss effective vaginal dryness treatment options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Leading Causes of Vaginal Dryness<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1595\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of Female With Fit Slim Body in Panties Holding White Card With Sad Smiley Face Near Her Stomach\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Leading-Causes-of-Vaginal-Dryness.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Typically, the vaginal lining is properly lubricated, elastic, and thick. Vaginal dryness usually occurs when lubrication stops, primarily due to hormonal issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal dryness may be caused by menopause, certain medications, hormonal imbalances, a side effect of chemotherapy, or a byproduct of a hysterectomy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">More precisely, vaginal dryness may result from the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Childbirth and breastfeeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Birth control pills or any other form of hormone-based birth control<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Specific cancer treatments like hormone therapy or chemotherapy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anti-estrogen medications like compounds that treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some antidepressants<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Certain antihistamines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oophorectomy or ovary removal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lack of sexual arousal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sjorgen\u2019s syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder causing dryness in the body<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Perfumed or scented soaps, washes, and sprays that you use in or around your vagina<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women is often referred to as vaginal atrophy, where the lack of estrogen causes the vaginal lining to thin out and get dry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Without proper lubrication, women may experience vaginal itching, burning sensations, and overall vaginal discomfort, especially during intercourse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Vaginal Dryness and Menopause<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While dyspareunia and itching can appear at any age, it\u2019s the most prevalent in women who underwent menopause. Postmenopausal women will have lower estrogen levels, which is the hormone that helps with keeping the vagina moisturized and healthy. As estrogen levels decline, the wall of the vagina may become dry and thin, leading to the before-mentioned vaginal atrophy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Around 17% of women between the ages of 18 and 50 report issues with vaginal itching and dryness even before menopausal changes occur, and approximately 50% of women may experience vaginal dryness after menopause.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Do I Experience Dyspareunia?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the most part, the uncomfortable symptoms of dryness are most evident during sexual intercourse. The lack of vaginal lubrication may lead the friction (or rubbing) to cause discomfort and even pain. Because of this, it\u2019s always recommended to reach full arousal before engaging in sex.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On that end, foreplay may help women relax. Also, using sexual lubricants (water-based) may help moisturize and lubricate the vagina.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Painful sex should be addressed as soon as possible as it may lead to a lack of general interest in sex, which then may lead to decreased intimacy with your partner, causing relationship troubles and even mental problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Does Vaginal Dryness Feel Like?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned before, the symptom causes itching, burning sensations, and general discomfort in your vagina, especially during intercourse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apart from this, a dry vagina may also:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bleed after sex because the vaginal tissues have slightly torn\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Feel sour in the vulvar area<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Become more prone to recurrent yeast and urinary tract infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trigger more frequent urination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reduce the patient\u2019s libido or sex drive<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apart from that, the lack of lubrication in the vagina can lead to less moisture in the external genitals or vulvar area, which may result in irritation and dryness during everyday activities like sitting, walking, or putting on underwear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Vaginal Dryness Treatment\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before treating vaginal dryness, health experts need to establish a proper diagnosis, usually based on the findings of a physical exam in combination with taking a closer look at the patient\u2019s medical history. Remember, vaginal dryness is actually a symptom, so doctors need to find the root cause of the problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As such, health experts will mainly perform the following tests:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pelvic exams to take a closer look at the vagina<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood tests to see if hormone levels or other health conditions are the primary problem<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In some cases, experts may also take a sample of vaginal discharge to check for infections and whether they are responsible for the dryness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regarding actual vaginal dryness treatment options, those affected will be glad to hear that there are several effective treatment options. In some cases, even some natural remedies might prove to be effective in treating the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Medications<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In short, these prescription-only compounds aim to act like or replace the estrogen missing from the body.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Low-dose estrogen rings, tablets, or creams <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">replace the missing estrogen in the body when applied directly into the vaginal area. Usually, they should be used daily at first until patients find relief. Then, they can use these options weekly. Rings are placed in the vagina and usually need to be replaced at three-month intervals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ospemifene<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is an oral SERM or selective estrogen modulator that acts like estrogen helping with vaginal atrophy and painful sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>DHEA, or Dehydroepiandrosterone,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is another estrogen-like medication in the form of a vaginal suppository that can help provide relief in menopausal women who are experiencing painful sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, before you opt for these vaginal dryness treatment options, it\u2019s highly advised to seek out the guidance of your healthcare providers because these compounds containing estrogen-like substances or estrogen may not be safe for patients who have had breast cancer or are at risk of developing the malignancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lubricants and moisturizers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are non-prescription treatment products that can be purchased in grocery or drug stores. They work by making the vaginal tissue wet, easing potential pain during sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Natural Vaginal Dryness Remedies<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1596\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies.jpg\" alt=\"Sunny Beautiful Picture of Young Cheerful Girl Holding Hands up in Air and Looking at Sunrise or Sunset.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/202\/2023\/01\/Natural-Vaginal-Dryness-Remedies.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned above, some natural remedies may help restore the vagina\u2019s natural lubrication process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some say that certain foods may promote female lubrication. However, there isn\u2019t much scientific evidence to back these claims. Still, staying well-hydrated and drinking enough water will definitely help the body retain its moisture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the other hand, natural vaginal dryness remedy options may include olive, grape seed, sunflower, vegetable, and coconut oils, which might be used as external lubricants before intercourse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep in mind that these may damage condoms, so it still may be better to use water-based lubricants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some healthcare providers also recommend regular sexual stimulation to help the vaginal tissue by encouraging it to become moist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, patients should talk with their partners to engage in longer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plannedparenthood.org\/learn\/ask-experts\/i-see-on-movies-and-here-people-talking-about-4play-i-wanted-to-know-what-this-meant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">foreplay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> before intercourse to help women relax and reach full arousal. And even after insertion, couples should take it slow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Ask for Help<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While vaginal dryness doesn\u2019t signify anything overly serious, most women feel embarrassed to talk about it. Several effective ways to treat this issue enable you to return to your everyday routine and sex life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are also bothered by this symptom, feel free to reach out to our practice and schedule an appointment so we can discuss the best treatment option for your situation and preferences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When experts need to define vaginal dryness, they will often say that it\u2019s more of a painful symptom than an actual disease. Still, it can profoundly affect a person\u2019s quality of life because it can cause discomfort and even pain during exercising, urination, sitting, and intercourse (also known as dyspareunia).\u00a0 Fortunately, the problems of vaginal  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1594,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[329,325,327,326,328],"class_list":["post-1593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gynecology","tag-dyspareunia","tag-vaginal-dryness","tag-vaginal-dryness-remedy","tag-vaginal-dryness-treatment","tag-vaginal-itching"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1593","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1593"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1593\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1594"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/obgyn-specialists-of-south-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}