Menopause and Vaginal Health: What’s Happening?

Menopause. It’s a word that can carry a lot of concerns for women. Amidst the hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances, there’s one topic that often gets whispered about or avoided altogether: libido and vaginal health. It can be uncomfortable talking about our most private parts and sexual lives. By understanding the effects of declining hormones on vaginal health, you can learn about solutions to help relieve physical discomfort and rebuild intimacy in your relationships.

The Role of Estrogen 

Estrogen is a crucial sex hormone for women, and it plays a vital role in sexual health, particularly in maintaining the health and function of the vagina. It helps to keep vaginal tissues lubricated, elastic, and healthy. Estrogen also maintains the acidity of the vagina, which is essential for preventing infections.

Effects of Estrogen Decline on Vaginal Health

As a woman enters into perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly, leading to a range of changes in the vaginal environment. As a result, some women experience unpleasant vaginal symptoms that make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. Changes that occur with the loss of estrogen include:

Decreased Lubrication: A reduction in vaginal lubrication, increasing susceptibility to irritation from sexual activity or daily routines.

Loss of Elasticity: Loss of flexibility and stretchiness of vaginal tissues, leading to discomfort, pain during intercourse, and a higher risk of tearing.

Thinner Vaginal Walls: Vaginal atrophy is characterized by thinner vaginal walls that are more prone to irritation, dryness, and inflammation. Symptoms may include increased urinary frequency, incontinence, and discomfort.

Changes in pH Balance: Hormonal balance is crucial for maintaining the vagina’s acidic environment, deterring harmful bacteria. Disruption of this balance can result in itching, burning, and a higher risk of infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.

Skin Conditions: Skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis can also affect the vulvar area, leading to discomfort and irritation.

Allergic Reactions: Exposure to specific allergens in soaps, detergents, or perfumes can trigger reactions, causing itching and burning sensations in the vaginal area.

While these changes can disrupt the daily and intimate parts of a woman’s life, some solutions can help alleviate discomfort and restore intimacy with your partner.  

Solutions for Maintaining Vaginal Health

When estrogen tanks, there are solutions to counter its effects through nutrition, exercise, over-the-counter, and longer-term treatments, including estrogen therapy.

Loss of Elasticity: Daily pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, improving vaginal tone and elasticity. Hormonal treatments, including estrogen therapy prescribed by a healthcare provider, can help restore vaginal tissue health and elasticity.

Thinner Vaginal Walls: Manage vaginal atrophy using estrogen-based vaginal creams or tablets under the care of a gynecologist to rejuvenate the vaginal tissues and alleviate dryness and irritation. Regular sexual activity or vaginal stimulation promotes blood flow to the vaginal area, supporting tissue and relieving discomfort.

Changes in pH Balance: Maintain a healthy vaginal pH balance by incorporating probiotics into your meal planning, either through supplements or by consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir. Probiotics can help restore beneficial bacteria in the vagina, promoting a healthy acidic environment. Avoid harsh soaps and douches, which can disrupt the vaginal pH balance.

Skin Conditions: Use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products to calm skin conditions. Creams or ointments intended for the vaginal area can help soothe dry, irritated skin. At the same time, topical corticosteroids prescribed by a dermatologist can help control inflammation associated with eczema or psoriasis.

Allergic Reactions: Minimize allergic reactions in the vaginal area with hypoallergenic and fragrance-free personal care products, including soaps, detergents, and laundry detergents. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment options.

PearlPAK: A prescription treatment from CleopatraRX, PearlPAK combines a unique form of estrogen (estriol) and progesterone. Estriol helps restore lost hormones and can help relieve vaginal dryness. Progesterone protects the uterine lining and can play a role in improving sleep.

Each woman’s sexual health is unique, and one solution may work better than the other. Consult your gynecologist to discuss your health concerns during menopause and design a treatment program.

Communication is Key

When changes in vaginal health impact your desire for intimacy, open and honest communication with your partner is critical. Sharing articles that inform and educate your partner about menopause can help support conversation. Exploring new ways of being intimate and finding what works best for both partners can build a fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationship.

Finally, it’s important to remember that your gynecologist is there to help you navigate the changes and challenges of menopause, including those related to vaginal health and sexual function. Your doctor is a trained professional who has likely heard and seen it all before. They want you to feel comfortable discussing your symptoms and concerns to provide appropriate care and support.