During menopause, approximately 30 per cent of women experience vaginal dryness, itching, or pain. This often occurs around or after menopause. Symptoms vary from woman to woman but usually have the same cause: a decrease in oestrogen. What happens in your body? And what can help alleviate the discomfort?
I’ve been dealing with a dry, itchy, and painful vagina with small wounds for six months now. I can’t even ride my bike normally anymore. It’s so frustrating!
Many women experience various symptoms during menopause, such as hot flushes, sleep problems, and mood swings. Vaginal dryness is also a common menopausal symptom. But why does this happen?
One of the (many) functions of the female hormone oestrogen is to maintain good blood circulation and healthy mucosa in the vaginal wall, which is the skin inside the vagina. Oestrogen keeps the vaginal tissue firm and supple and ensures that your vagina stays moist. This is important because it keeps the vagina healthy (preventing bacteria and fungi from causing infections) and increases vaginal moisture during sexual arousal.
When oestrogen levels drop during menopause, this impacts your vagina. Blood circulation may decrease, and a lack of moisture can occur. Your mucosa becomes dry, more fragile, and thinner, which can lead to small wounds. This can cause various symptoms in and around the vagina. Itching, irritation, a burning sensation, or pain in the vagina are common symptoms during menopause. Vaginal dryness usually does not go away on its own, but there are ways to alleviate the symptoms.
In addition to hormonal changes, other factors can contribute to vaginal dryness or irritation. These include stress, certain medications (such as antidepressants), smoking, the use of soap or vaginal douches, and reduced blood circulation. Prolonged periods of low sexual activity can also affect the condition of the vaginal mucosa.
Personalised product advice for your menopause symptoms
There are various ways to alleviate vaginal dryness. Depending on your symptoms and personal situation, support may include lifestyle adjustments, local treatments, supplements, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
When your hormone levels change during menopause, it can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Small adjustments can already make a difference in how you feel.
When taking medications or supplements, a balanced lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications. This makes supplements and medications more effective.
Vaginal symptoms can affect daily activities such as cycling, working, or exercising, as well as intimacy. With targeted care and attention, the discomfort can often be reduced. Experts recommend the following for vaginal dryness:
During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body fluctuate and largely disappear once your periods have completely stopped. This can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, low mood, or vaginal dryness. For bothersome symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment. By replenishing the hormone deficiency, symptoms decrease. This helps restore balance in your body, giving you energy and peace in your daily life.
Hormone replacement therapy is always prescribed by a doctor and carefully tailored to your personal situation to ensure the treatment is safe and effective.
I recently started using an oestrogen cream and taking more time for intimacy. As a result, sex finally feels enjoyable again.
Many women are unaware that, in addition to hormone therapy, there are proven effective hormone-free medications to relieve menopausal symptoms. While hormone therapy can reduce multiple symptoms simultaneously, hormone-free medications often target a specific symptom. For example, certain antidepressants (SNRIs) for hot flushes, anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain, or antacids for heartburn.
Hormone-free medication is always prescribed by a doctor. It can be a good option for those who cannot or do not want to use hormone therapy. These medications work directly on the symptom without affecting your hormonal balance, allowing you to address your symptoms in a targeted way and support your body.
During menopause, changes occur in how your body produces energy, builds muscle, and repairs skin. You can naturally support these processes with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and vaginal dryness.
The effectiveness of supplements can vary from person to person. This depends on factors such as your lifestyle and health. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Therefore, choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.
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