In Menopause And Have Vaginal Dryness? Tips To Help You Get Through This

If you have menopause, it is common to experience vaginal dryness. This can lower your libido because sex is very painful when you have this problem. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help you get back to normal again, three of which are listed below.

See Your Obstetrician

The first thing you should do is to call your obstetrician to have an examination. During the examination, they will look at the vaginal wall. This is because the vaginal wall thins and dries out as you get older, and especially when you start going through menopause.

Vaginal dryness is due to low estrogen levels, and because of this, your doctor will give you a blood or urine test to check these levels. If found to be low, they can offer many types of treatments. One type is using an estrogen vaginal cream. This is placed in a vial and inserted into your vagina a few times per week. This releases estrogen but only to the vaginal area and nowhere else in your body. There are also rings and pills that are inserted in the vagina that do this same thing.

If you are having other symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, and moodiness, the obstetrician may suggest a higher dose of estrogen, which comes in pill form and is taken orally.

Over the Counter Vaginal Lubricants

If you do not want to take hormones, you can try vaginal lubricants. These can be purchased over the counter and can moisturize your vagina, which will reduce swelling and irritation. When purchasing the lubricant, make sure you choose water based to help with natural lubrication.

Apply the lubricant directly to the interior and outside of your vagina. Your partner can also rub the lubricant on their penis right before sex. Talk with your obstetrician about this if you have any questions. They can also suggest the type of lubricant on the market that you should purchase.

Vaginal Moisturizer

If you do not want to use a vaginal lubricant, there are vaginal moisturizers on the market that you can purchase. Unlike vaginal lubricants, vaginal moisturizers can be applied on a regular basis or a couple of hours before sex. This type of moisturizer replenishes your vaginal moisture, which helps with painful sexual intercourse. You can purchase vaginal moisturizer at a drug store. Your obstetrician can help you choose a moisturizer if needed.

Vaginal dryness never goes away completely on its own, so the treatment options above are ongoing throughout your life. 

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