Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a common problem for women of all ages, although it tends to become worse during menopause and as women get older.
Symptoms
Symptoms include itching, burning, stinging, pain or light bleeding during intercourse, and frequent urination. It can also make sex uncomfortable and painful.
Causes
The main culprit for vaginal lubrication problems is usually a decrease in oestrogen. Oestrogen is responsible for keeping vaginal tissue healthy by maintaining normal lubrication and acidity, which in turn ensures elasticity and creates a natural defence against vaginal and urinary tract infections.Oestrogen levels subside for several reasons, including menopause, childbirth and breast-feeding, anti-cancer therapies such as radiation and chemotherapy, immune disorders, smoking or surgical removal of the ovaries. Certain drugs can also trigger the problems, for example antidepressants and allergy and cold medications.
Treating Vaginal Dryness
1. Use a good quality vaginal lubricant. Just make sure that you don't use oil-based lubricants with latex condoms and diaphragms.
2. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can make a difference. But whether to try hormone replacement therapy is a decision each individual woman needs to make with her doctor. If you don't wish to have HRT, you can still apply oestrogen topically to the vagina if dryness is a problem. A few other alternatives to ask your doctor about are natural testosterone cream, vitamin E suppositories and systemic oestrogen therapy.3. Include superfoods that contain vitamins, minerals, and phytoestrogens in your diet: * Soy is particularly helpful for improving vaginal lubrication. It also helps for hot flushes, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, mood swings, PMS symptoms, migraine headaches, irregular periods, and high cholesterol. * Fresh-ground flaxseed is beneficial in maintaining pelvic health, including vaginal lubrication. * Bioflavonoids (found in cherries, cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, many whole grains, grape skins, red clover and the inner peel of citrus fruits) help balance hormones and nourish the pelvic organs. 4. Try some helpful herbs, notably the following: * Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) increases vaginal lubrication, and is also a good natural treatment for managing hot flushes, night sweats, depression and menstrual cramps. * Ginkgo Biloba is best known for its ability to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease by improving blood flow to the brain, but a University of California study found that it also boosts blood flow to the genitals. This assists in promoting vaginal lubrication, low libido and erectile dysfunction. Always consult your doctor or natural health practitioner for assistance in this regard. It's important to be aware that there are contra-indications for some herbal treatments, for example black cohosh may interact with blood-pressure medications. 5. Do
pelvic floor exercises
regularly. Also known as Kegel exercises, it strengthens pelvic-floor muscles, which increases blood supply (building up vaginal wall thickness and lubrication) and improves libido by enhancing clitoral tumescence and sensitivity, as well as the strength of orgasm.
Related Posts
* Menopause Vitamins
* UTI and Sex
(From Vaginal Dryness back to Anatomy of the Vagina)
(From Vaginal Dryness Back to Better Sex for Women Home Page)
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