Vaginal dryness occurs when your estrogen levels reduce, causing inflammation and thinning of your vaginal walls. It can affect women at any age, according to MayoClinic.com, but is particularly common during and after menopause. Symptoms may include itching, stinging and discomfort during intercourse. In addition to doctor-prescribed topical creams or medications, lubricants and ensuring that you are sufficiently aroused during intercourse, certain foods may help manage your symptoms.
Nuts, Seeds and Vegetable Oils
Nuts, seeds and vegetable oils provide heart-healthy fats and vital micronutrients, including the antioxidant vitamin E. Increasing your vitamin E intake may guard against vaginal dryness associated with menopause, according to a "Today's Dietitian" article published in Nov. 2005. Top sources include wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil and safflower oil.
Soy
Because natural substances in soy, known as isoflavones, have estrogenlike properties, they may improve your hormone levels, leading to reduced vaginal dryness. In a study published in the "Journal of Hygiene Research" in Jan. 2010, 50 women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness, consumed 120 mg of soy isoflavones or a placebo for eight weeks. By the study's end, participants who consumed soy demonstrated significantly improved estrogen levels, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Some doctors believe that soy isoflavones in supplement form can increase your risk for breast cancer after menopause. To guard against this, consume soy in food form. Valuable options include tofu, soymilk, soy yogurt, miso and boiled or steamed soybeans.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed, a nutty-flavored, nutritious seed variety, also contains substances with estrogenlike properties. These substances, known as lignans, may also help reduce vaginal dryness and hot flashes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although additional research is needed, flaxseed provides additional benefits, such as rich amounts of essential fatty acids that promote positive heart-health, and fiber, which supports digestive regularity and appetite control. Consume flaxseed on its own or as a nutritious addition to other foods, such as cereal, baked goods, smoothies and yogurt.
Whole Grains
Whole grains contain all nutritious parts of the grain. As a result, they contain more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and lignans than refined grains, such as white flour. To reap the potential hormone-related benefits of lignans, replace white bread, instant rice and other refined foods with 100 percent whole grain equivalents. Nutritious examples include whole grain breads and cereals, long-grain brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, barley and air-popped popcorn.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Vaginal Dryness
- "Today's Dietitian"; Natural Passage Through Menopause; Rita E. Carey; Nov. 2005
- "Journal of Hygiene Research"; Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Peri-Menopausal Symptom and Estrogen; Li Y et al.; Jan. 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Menopause
- "Women's Health Activist Newsletter"; Phytoestrogens: A New Alternative for Women?; June 1998
