When a woman is fertile and healthy, she secretes fluids from the vagina that aid with sexual intercourse. Sometimes, though, there are things that happen that interfere with this natural process. The reason is because of changes in estrogen levels. Estrogen is what makes the vagina function healthfully during reproductive years. But during and menopause, during and after pregnancy and childbirth, and during breastfeeding, many women experience some kind of vaginal dryness. This is normal and should not frighten the woman when it occurs. Most women will at some point in their lives experience dryness in the genitals area, and it is a normal part of being a female.
There are other symptoms that may appear alongside of vaginal dryness. Itching and burning are two of them. Others include soreness in the vagina, increased urination, and sometimes even light bleeding during or after sex. All of this is a direct result of reduced estrogen, and reduced estrogen can happen for many different reasons. There are many causes for vaginal dryness. Besides life and body changes, cigarette smoking can cause estrogen levels to drop. Some medications do the same thing. Talk to your doctor about the side effects for the medications you are taking if you are noticing vaginal dryness.
If your ovaries have to be removed through surgery, vaginal dryness might occur as a result. Autoimmune disorders can lead to dryness in a woman’s genitals, and finally, some kinds of douche have been linked with trouble secreting the necessary fluids to aid intercourse. Your doctor will ask you several questions to try to get the cause of this dryness to determine if that is indeed what you are experiencing. He or she will want to rule out external causes such as soaps or bath salts that might dry out the vaginal area.
Some doctors might decide to prescribe an estrogen supplement treatment to help you get some moisture back and give relief from the condition of vaginal dryness. There are many different ways that estrogen is prescribed to people who need this kind of treatment. One is as an external topical cream that you apply to the affected area. Another is a solid supplement that you insert that slowly works over the time. Finally, there is a ring method that some people choose. This is also an insertion. Your doctor will help you figure out which treatment is best for you.
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