1. Vaginal Dryness Increases Over Time
Vaginal dryness is caused by declining estrogen levels that begin around menopause. Some symptoms of menopause occur early in menopause and start to subside, but vaginal dryness gets worse over time. One study showed that only one in four women complained of vaginal dryness one year after menopause, but the number rose to almost half of women three years after menopause. Another study that looked at women nine years after menopause showed that over almost half still complained of vaginal dryness.
2. Other Factors Can Contribute
During menopause, estrogen levels decrease to about one-tenth of what they were before. A woman's vaginal canal shrinks, and there is less blood flow to the vagina. This causes the skin around the vagina to become thin and pale and less elastic. This can lead to pain during sexual intercourse, itching, dryness and incontinence. Although this is a common problem during menopause, these vaginal dryness issues can also be caused by smoking, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or some immune disorders. Women who have never given birth vaginally are also at increased risk, as are women who refrain from sexual intercourse.
3. Drink Cranberry Juice Every Day
The Women's Health Initiative pointed out problems with oral estrogens. For this reason, most physicians do not prescribe oral estrogen if vaginal dryness is the only symptom that a woman is complaining of. Some physicians prescribe vaginal estrogen preparations like creams or rings. Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers are also recommended. If urinary tract infections are a problem, a glass of ligonberry or cranberry juice every day can help. You can also buy cranberry juice capsules at a health food store if you don't like the taste of the juice.
4. Try a Vaginal Lubricant
There are a number of lubricants that are available that can relieve vaginal dryness. You can buy K-Y jelly at any pharmacy; some women like it, but others say that it leaves an annoying residue. SYLK is a lubricant made from kiwi fruit, and Women's Group Formulas Vaginal Lubricant contains herbal extracts like marigold. Some women find that eating soy foods regularly helps too.
5. Don't Forget Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises will stimulate the vaginal area and strengthen the muscles of the vaginal flow. Because they increase blood flow to the area, they can help to reduce the thinning of vaginal tissue.
