5 Things You Need to Know About Vaginal Dryness And Menopause

1. Thin Skinned

With age, a woman's skin begins to lose much of its elasticity and thickness. The layer of smooth fat that underlies a younger woman's skin seems to gravitate to less desirable areas, like under the skin and behind the knees. Thinning also takes place inside the vagina, which makes it much more tender to the touch and sensitive to having outside things poking around all over it. When something, such as a penis or a vibrator, enters the vagina and rubs on the thin, tender skin, it hurts. When sex hurts, the juices stop flowing because no one at this point is turned on.

2. It's a Desert Down There

In addition to slowing down the flow of lubricant during sex, the vagina may be reacting to other stages of menopause that cause dryness down there. Low estrogen levels that are indicative of the menopausal cycle can leave the vagina itchy and burning from the dryness. You won't even have to be engaged in sex to feel the pain. Get a pelvic exam and urine sample to make sure it is only the natural aging process causing these symptoms and not some larger, treatable disease or infection.

3. Replenish the Female Flow

Adding estrogen can help to get those juices flowing again. While many women prefer not to test the limits of the possible side effects, which can include cancer and other fatal diseases, others find great relief from estrogen therapy and report few or no unwanted problems. Estrogen can be taken in pill form or inserted directly into the vagina as a cream. You can also buy a device that releases estrogen through a ring that's inserted in your vagina.

4. Get a Lube Job

Lubricants and moisturizers can work just as well if you are comfortable touching yourself there and including some new rituals in your lovemaking scenarios. Use a water-based lotion to rub it into your vaginal area and push a little up in there after your shower each day if you get uncomfortable just walking and sitting. Shop with your partner for more pleasurable smelling oils that you can use during sex. Adult bookstores and lingerie shops sell oils that you can eat and that heat up on contact. Rub some onto your partner's penis or inside your own genitalia for smooth, entry and enjoyable intercourse.

5. Don't Make Vaginal Dryness Worse

Douches tend to dry out the natural juices in the vagina, no matter how old you are. They are especially unproductive during menopausal years when you want to keep all the natural lubricant you can. Switch to a good soap in your bath and shower, one with fewer chemicals that could irritate your tender flower. Also, keep your entire body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and fluids.