Are you one of the many women who suffer from vaginal dryness?
Let’s talk about what it is and the causes.
What is vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness can be a sensitive topic and refers to the lack of a woman’s natural moisture in the vaginal tissues. It is a common condition that affects many women at various stages of their life. This condition can lead to irritation, discomfort and painful sexual intercourse.
Let us discuss the causes so that you may be empowered to seek treatment and improve your quality of life.
What causes vaginal dryness?
There are many factors that can cause vaginal dryness – we will review a few of these below:
- Hormonal changes that take place during a woman’s menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding and menopause can all result in vaginal dryness.
Some women may experience dryness at certain points in their menstrual cycle due to hormonal variations. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, as well as after giving birth, can also result in dryness.
Menopause is probably the most significant cause of vaginal dryness, due to the decrease in estrogen levels. This reduction in estrogen results in a thinning of the vaginal walls and reduced lubrication.
- There are some medications that can contribute to vaginal dryness by affecting the body’s ability to produce its natural lubrication. Some of these include antihistamines, antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives.
- There are certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes and certain infections, that can have an impact on the moisture levels in the vaginal tissues and overall vaginal health.
- Lifestyle factors have an impact on overall health and wellness, including vaginal dryness. Poor nutrition can affect hormonal balance while tobacco use has been linked to reduced blood flow and less vaginal lubrication. Emotional stress and anxiety can change the body’s hormonal balance resulting in reduced sexual arousal and dryness.
- The vaginal tissues can be irritated by certain soaps, personal hygiene products and detergents, leading to inflammation of the tissues and dryness.
Vaginal dryness can stem from a variety of causes and can create discomfort and distress. Being informed about the causes is the first step towards finding effective treatments that may work best for you.
We will go into related topics about the impacts of vaginal dryness on a woman’s day-to-day life and available treatments in upcoming blogs.
Stay tuned to learn how to manage this common and uncomfortable condition.
