Female Orgasm Secrets

How to Combat Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness can occur in females of any age, though postmenopausal women make up the greater number of sufferers. While the condition can be symptom-free, it frequently manifests in pain or discomfort during sex. Some women also experience itching or abnormal discharge in conjunction with this problem.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness arises from insufficient estrogen production in the ovaries, and may be permanent or temporary, depending on the underlying cause. If the ovaries have been surgically removed, the condition would be permanent.

Short-term causes of vaginal dryness include medical treatments to the pelvic area such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, as well as the use of certain prescription medications. Smoking and physical exhaustion may be the cause, or at the very least, may aggravate the situation. Psychological conditions such as depression or anxiety could have a similar effect, intensifying the symptoms, if not causing them. Childbirth, more particularly in the case of a mother who breastfeeds her baby, and menopause are natural events that may lower estrogen levels, triggering atrophic vaginitis.

Solutions to Vaginal Dryness
As vaginal dryness is caused by a lack of estrogen, it therefore stands to reason that it can be effectively treated with estrogen supplements. Birth control pills and menopausal hormonal supplements have the capacity to alleviate discomfort. However, note that the risk of blood clots, breast cancer and heart attacks is significantly less in the use of vaginal-specific estrogen products, such as vaginal estrogen cream or estrogen tablets which are inserted regularly for relief. However, vaginal dryness will resume when the treatment is abandoned unless estrogen levels increase. The estrogen ring, a relatively long-term alternative, is a device inserted into the vagina, and is effective up to three months, after which time it must be replaced.

Although vaginal hormone treatments are considered safe for short-term and long-term use, no studies have been carried out to confirm this assumption. Those individuals with a history of breast cancer, or who do not wish to take unnecessary risks, are often opposed to using them, and may resort to prescription-free vaginal lubricants for a similar effect. Although lubricants are designed to reduce friction and discomfort during intercourse, they can also relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness at other times. Natural lubricants such as vegetable oils are an option, but if used in conjunction with a condom or diaphragm, might compromise the integrity of the contraceptive device.

Vaginal lubricants can be employed in cases when vaginal dryness originates from anxiety, or when symptoms are only apparent during sex, or when foreplay does not produce sufficient stimulation. However, this solution only circumvents the problem and is therefore not recommended. In such cases, it is better to address the actual problem as a couple, and possibly consider professional psychosexual help or psychotherapy.

An active and satisfying sex life is the goal, regardless of the method chosen to combat vaginal dryness. At times, regular sex itself, in its ability to keep the vaginal tissues soft and yielding, can alleviate the problem. However, if pain during intercourse persists, it would be wise to consult your physician in order to examine other possible causes that may co-exist with vaginal dryness.

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