Menopause and vaginal dryness are often confused because many women experience both of these menopausal symptoms at the same time. However, these two menopausalsymptoms are completely different in terms of severity and cause. It’s important to distinguish between these two menopausal symptoms so that you can determine what the underlying cause of your problem may be, and then learn how to solve it in the most effective way possible.
What Is
Menopause?
It is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation due to age. Generally, it occurs when a woman reaches her late 40s or early 50s. The average age for menopause is 51 years old, but it can occur earlier or later than that.
How Common
Is Menopause?
It is
estimated that 75% of women will experience menopause at some point in their
lives. Perimenopause refers to those years when a woman’s body begins to make
adjustments as it prepares for menopause. During perimenopause, hormonal
changes cause regular monthly menstrual cycles to become irregular, leading
some women to experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as breast
tenderness or bloating.
Myths about menopause, vaginal dryness and their treatments.
Here are a few myths you might hear or read about menopause, vaginal dryness and their treatments. Dispelling these myths can help you understand what is really going on with your body—and arm you with information to talk to your doctor about so you can find a treatment that works for you. Myth: Menopause is a disease. Fact: A lot of people still believe that menopause signals some sort of fatal disease that must be treated aggressively.
Symptoms of
menopause.
The main symptom of menopause is that a woman stops having her period. For some women, periods become irregular first (periods may be more or less frequent, last longer or shorter, or stop altogether). This can start in a woman’s late 20s to early 40s.
Side effects
of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
While a large number of women find MHT effective in treating hot flashes, some experience side effects as well. Common side effects include vaginal dryness, headaches, night sweats, acne breakouts and sleep disturbances. For some women these symptoms are uncomfortable but tolerable; for others they can be problematic enough to discontinue treatment altogether. In such cases, there are other options that may relieve menopausal symptoms without causing negative side effects.
Effects of
hormonal changes on libido.
Many women experience a drop in libido or sex drive during menopause. This is due to hormonal changes, which affect hormone levels in women differently than they do in men. Decreased hormones can impact a woman’s sexual desire, arousal, lubrication and pain sensitivity. Over time, some women learn to accept that their bodies aren’t always up for sex—or they may find creative ways to enjoy intimacy with their partner regardless of what’s happening with their own physical response.
Causes of
vaginal dryness.
Hormonal
fluctuations are one of several causes of vaginal dryness. The drop in estrogen
at menopause often causes a decrease in vaginal lubrication, which can lead to
discomfort during sex or when performing daily activities that require
moisture, such as urinating or changing a tampon.
Consequences of vaginal dryness.
Vaginal
dryness can make intercourse painful. If a woman has not had sex for some time,
or if she is having sex with a new partner, vaginal dryness can be a problem.
It can cause pain or discomfort during sexual activity. It is important to
discuss vaginal dryness with your doctor to find out what you can do about it;
changes in diet, such as adding more fibre or water-rich foods like fruits and
vegetables, may help alleviate dryness.
Natural ways to relieve symptoms of menopause and vaginal atrophy.
If you’re dealing with menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness is likely to be one of them. This is usually due to lower estrogen levels, which makes it more difficult for your body to lubricate naturally. Luckily, there are a few things you can do at home to relieve your symptoms
Tips for
reducing problems associated with menopause and vaginal dryness.
Postmenopausal women often have a difficult time dealing with vaginal dryness due to declining estrogen levels. It’s a natural part of aging, but there are several ways you can reduce your risk of associated problems. Here are some helpful tips. Avoid hot showers, hot tubs or other sources of scalding water – Hot baths and showers can exacerbate your symptoms by dehydrating your vaginal tissue. Opt for lukewarm baths or at least be sure to moisturize your skin after you bathe.
Bottom line.
No matter
your age, if you’re in menopause (that time in a woman’s life when menstruation
stops) or have recently gone through it, there’s a good chance that you’ve
experienced vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness isn’t usually just one symptom,
but rather many different symptoms that all stem from not having enough natural
lubrication.
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