What is Vaginal Dryness?
Vaginal dryness is a condition that occurs when the vagina's tissues are not well-lubricated and healthy.
Why It Happens?
As it turns out, estrogen is responsible for a lot. One of its jobs is to keep your skin smooth, supple, and firm. That includes the skin that lines your vaginal walls. During perimenopause and menopause, your estrogen levels drop, and your vaginal walls become less thin and less elastic. They also become less lubricated. Vaginal dryness can be really, really uncomfortable, especially during sex. Light friction can be very painful, and in some cases, intercourse can cause your vaginal walls to bruise or even tear.
What can you do?
Vaginal dryness is treatable, which is yet another reason to talk about it!
- Locally applied estrogen can help your body start to create its own natural lubrication, and it can help strengthen your vaginal walls, making them smooth, supple, and firm once again.
- Apply vaginal moisturizers to the inside of your vagina every few days to keep your vaginal lining healthy.
- Apply lubricants just before sexual intercourse to ease discomfort caused by sex.
