Vaginal Dryness, causes , symptoms & Treatment

Vaginal dryness is a common problem experienced by up to 1 in 3 women particularly those who are going through menopause and perimenopause in the Ghanaian community and worldwide. This also lowers the sexual drive of some females Estrogen is the female sex hormone responsible for maintaining natural lubrication. A decrease in the oestrogen level is what is likely the cause of vaginal dryness.Natural lubricants are produced by the glands in the cervix to keep the vagina moist and also helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment. This condition is mostly responsible for pains felt by females in their sexual organs during sexual intercourse.

 Factors Responsible For Vaginal Dryness 

 Aside low oestrogen levels been a cause of vaginal dryness there are other risk factors that account for this medical condition

 1. Anxiety and depression are unhealthy mental state that's not only influences psychological health but me also affect sexual health. Depression leads to a decrease in the sexual libido which leads to vaginal dryness and this also amounts to the low sexual drive of some females.

 2. Uses of some soaps; the use of some perfumes lotions and douches also warrant this condition They disrupt the the natural balances of chemicals in the vagina and also throughout the body.

 3. Treatment of sjogrens sydrome; with this disorder the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells that produce saliva and tears, it's also an autoimmune disorder that causes dryness throughout the body. So normally people with this disorder turn to experience vaginal dryness.

 4. Allergy cold and asthma medications that contains antihistamines can have a dryness effects on the body and contribute to reduced Vaginal lubrication. 

 5 the use of antidepressants may also lead to a reduction in vaginal secretions thereby leading to dryness in the vagina. 

 6. Childbirth and breast-feeding 

 7.Treatments for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation 

 8.“surgical menopause,” when the ovaries are removed surgically for any reason

 9.Anti-estrogen drugs used for breast cancer or endometriosis, 

 10 Menopause and perimenopause 

 These are some of the major factors that causes Vaginal Dryness 

 Symptoms

. 1. Itching

2.Urinary problems, Vaginal dryness is a contributing factor to many urinary problems thus because it weakens the tissue around the neck of the bladder 

 3. Pain during sex, in this case the vagina becomes drier , smaller and less likely to become lubricated during sex thereby leading to severe pains. 

 4. Soreness or redness of the vulva/ vagina 

 Treatment of Vaginal Dryness 

 1 Use of Vaginal lubricants to reduce discomfort during sexual activities when the vagina becomes dry thereby decreasing friction. It's adviceable to use olive and coconut based oils.

 2. Systemic estrogen therapy, this therapy involves the use of pills ,skin patches or gels been applied to the skin thereby triggering the release of estrogen into the bloodstream which then travels to where it's been needed in the body. 

 3. Laser estrogen therapy, this laser treatment helps restore the gynecologic health especially when there is a decline of oestrogen after menopause the machine delivers gentle laser energy to the vaginal wall tissue that stimulate healing response in the vaginal canal. 

 4. Use of vaginal moisturizers 

 5. Pelvic floor exercises this helps strengthen weak vagina walls and relax tight ones.

 6. Estring therapy, with this therapy a doctor inserts a soft , flexible ring into the vagina where it releases a steady stream of estrogen directly to tissues. The ring is replaced every 3months.

 Make sure to also take foods rich in fatty acids and vitamins.