Vaginal dryness, a common symptom of menopause, is caused much of the time by fluctuations in hormones, especially estrogen. The Mayo Clinic tells us that as women experience declining estrogen levels, about 40 percent have some degree of menopausal symptoms ranging from vaginal itching, pain, bleeding, burning and dryness. Depending on the source of the problem, vaginal dryness may only be temporary, but is often chronic. Many kinds of treatments are available to relieve this condition.
Step 1
Incorporate personal lubricants into you daily routine as a way of reducing symptoms of vaginal dryness. These have no effect on any of the hormones in your system, and are safe for external use in the vaginal area. They can be used daily and at the same time as other treatments.
Step 2
Take wild yam herbal extract to relieve menopausal symptoms and vaginal dryness. Purchase wild yam in capsules or extract at health food stores. Generally, the dose is several drops mixed with water daily. Since each person requires a dose tailored to her specific needs, it's best to consult with a health care practitioner familiar with using herbs or the herbal expert at the store for dosage recommendations and directions.
Step 3
Use Cimicifuga, a homeopathic remedy made from black cohosh, for relief of vaginal dryness as well as other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, mood swings and headaches. Find cimicifuga in most health food stores, online or from homeopathic practitioners. Speak with a qualified homeopath or a health care practitioner familiar with using this remedy for the best way to use it for your individual needs.
Step 4
Use the homeopathic remedy sepia for treatment of vaginal dryness. Sepia is recommended for women who are in menopause and are experiencing vaginal dryness, itching, a feeling of heaviness as though the uterus will fall out, hot flashes, irritability, sadness and lack of sexual desire. Consult a qualified homeopath for additional information and dosage for Sepia and other remedies for treatment of vaginal dryness.
Step 5
Insert a 400 IU vitamin E gel cap into the vagina at bedtime for relief of dryness. As the gel capsule dissolves, the vitamin E oil coats delicate vaginal tissues. Vitamin E oil is available at health food stores.
Step 6
Consult with your doctor if none of the above methods help. She will perform a physical to diagnose the reason for your vaginal dryness. She may do diagnostic work and blood tests to confirm if you are in menopause and possibly suggest using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Tips and Warnings
- Try these methods one at a time to see which work the best for you. Several can be combined for the best relief of vaginal dryness. No comprehensive, double blind, scientific studies have done to show whether wild yam has any effect on hormones, however, herbalists have been using wild yam for centuries to relieve a plethora of menopausal and menstrual symptoms. Its primary action is on progesterone management, explains Jethro Kloss, in his well known herbal book, "Back to Eden."
- Avoid commercial wild yam-based products with the synthetic chemical medroxyprogesterone acetate, or MPA, added. The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Cimicfuga
- Wild yam
- Personal lubricant
- Vitamin E gel caps 400 IU
