Vaginal Dryness Specialist

What causes vaginal dryness?

Your body uses estrogen, a hormone, to maintain the clear fluid that lubricates your vagina. Estrogen is also responsible for keeping your vaginal walls elastic and thick, which is why vaginal dryness often goes hand-in-hand with vaginal atrophy and increased vaginal laxity. 

When your body produces less estrogen, it also produces less natural lubrication. This leads to the vaginal dryness that makes sex and even simply going throughout your day uncomfortable. Some of the symptoms of this vaginal dryness include:

• Itchiness
• A burning sensation
• A stinging sensation
• Vaginal discomfort

What causes a drop in estrogen? 

As you age, your body naturally produces less and less estrogen. The vast majority of women living with vaginal dryness are experiencing perimenopause or menopause, the body’s change as it ends the menstrual cycle. 

During and after menopause, your body produces fewer reproductive hormones, including progesterone and the all-important estrogen. 

But not all women experiencing vaginal dryness are menopausal. Other causes of dropping estrogen levels include:

• Childbirth
• Breastfeeding
• The surgical removal of your ovaries 
• Certain medications for endometriosis or uterine fibroids 
• Cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy

Can vaginal dryness be treated? 

Yes, and the expert urogynecologists at The Woman’s Center are available to help you find the right treatment to balance your hormone levels and restore your natural lubrication. One of the most effective treatments available for vaginal dryness is low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy, a topical estrogen you apply directly to your vagina. 

This direct application of the estrogen your body needs to maintain its natural lubrication delivers relief for many women. 

What’s more, because the estrogen is applied topically rather than ingested as a pill, less estrogen makes its way into your bloodstream. 

This prevents you from experiencing symptoms associated with high estrogen levels, including bloating, headaches, and mood swings. And it makes this low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy safe for a wide range of women, including some women who have had breast cancer. 

Vaginal dryness doesn’t have to get in the way of your sex life or your comfort throughout your day. 

To get started with the treatment you need to resolve your vaginal dryness, contact The Woman’s Center. Call them or schedule your appointment online today.