Why is vaginal dryness so hard to discuss?
Many of my female patients at my Newson Health Menopause & Wellbeing Centre are very comfortable talking to be about their hot flushes and night sweats. However, even the ones I have known for many years are often really reserved and not forthcoming when talking about their dry vaginas.
There is no subject that embarrasses me talking about with patients. I find I need to be increasingly direct when asking very personal questions when determining if a woman has any difficulties having sex and whether she is experiencing any soreness or irritation in her vagina. This is usually because women are embarrassed and do not realise how common vaginal dryness is.
READ MORE What are the 34 symptoms of menopause?
What causes vaginal dryness?
As the amount of oestrogen reduces in your body during the menopause, your vagina become less lubricated and stretchy. This reduction in oestrogen is often due to the menopause but it can also be due to breastfeeding, taking the oral contraceptive pill or some types of medications (such as anti-depressants, antihistamines or tamoxifen).
Using chemical products such as medicated wipes, sprays or even some types of washing powder can lead to vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness or atrophy is also called atrophic vaginitis. Some doctors refer to it a genitourinary syndrome of the menopause (GSM) as it is not just your vagina that is affected. The low levels of oestrogen in your body can lead to thinning and weakening of the tissues around the neck of your bladder, or around the opening for urine to pass (the urethra). For example, urinary symptoms that may occur include an urgency to get to the toilet and recurring urinary infections or cystitis.
How is vaginal dryness linked to oestrogen?
Oestrogen is important at acting as a natural lubricant in your vagina and helps to keep this area healthy and moist. Oestrogen also stimulates the cells that line your vagina to produce glycogen. Glycogen is a compound which encourages the presence of helpful germs (bacteria) which protect your vagina from infections.
This lack of oestrogen tends to cause the tissues around your vagina to become thinner, dryer and inflamed. These changes can take months or even years to develop and vary between women.
What are the effects of vaginal dryness?
Your vagina may shrink a little and expand less easily during sex making sexual intercourse more painful or uncomfortable. Your vulva may become thin, dry and itchy. You may notice that your vulva or vagina has become red and sore. You may also find you have episodes of thrush more frequently.
Many women have symptoms of vaginal pain and discomfort throughout the day, so it is often not just a problem to those women who are sexually active.
As the skin around your vagina becomes more sensitive it is then more likely to itch. This can make you prone to scratching, which then makes your skin more likely to itch, and so on.
Is this common in menopausal women?
All these symptoms can be present long after your menopause, even when you do not have any other symptoms. They are very common symptoms that affect the vast majority of women at some time after the menopause. You are also more likely to experience symptoms as more years pass after your menopause. These symptoms occur in at least seven out of 10 women after the menopause and can occur even if you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Does menopause dryness go away?
The good news is that there are really effective treatments available.
We know less than one in 10 women received treatment for it, often as they are too embarrassed to seek help from their doctor. In addition, there is a lack of awareness about it.
Can moisturisers and lubricants help?
There are many different products available and it is important that you find one that suits you. These can be prescribed by your doctor, obtained from chemists or directly from the manufacturers.
Moisturisers are used regularly whereas lubricants are usually used during sexual intercourse. Regelle is a long lasting vaginal moisturiser that is usually used very three days. Sylk is a natural water based intimate moisturiser which can also be used as lubricant. YES has a range of certified organic products including a water based intimate moisturiser and lubricant.
READ MORE Best lubricants for menopause vaginal dryness.
What are the best oestrogen treatments?
The usual treatment is replacing the oestrogen in your vagina and the surrounding tissues. A cream, vaginal tablet or ring containing oestrogen is often prescribed and they work really well.
A vaginal tablet is a very small tablet that you insert into your vagina with a small applicator. The vaginal tablets and creams are usually used every day for two weeks, and then used twice a week thereafter. The ring is a soft, flexible ring with a centre that contains the oestrogen hormone. This ring releases a steady, low dose of oestrogen each day and it lasts for three months. It can be inserted and replaced easily by yourself, or by your nurse or doctor.
Using topical oestrogen in this way is not the same as taking HRT and therefore does not have the same risks associated with it. This is because these preparations work to restore oestrogen to your vagina and surrounding tissues without giving oestrogen to your whole body. These preparations can be safely used by most women and also can be used on a regular basis over a long period of time (usually indefinitely) as your symptoms will usually return if you stop this treatment. Vaginal lubricants and moisturisers can be used either with hormones or on their own and are usually also very effective. These are available either from your doctor or to buy from various chemists.
What about laser treatment?
Mona Lisa Touch is a safe, painless, hormone-free treatment that uses a laser specifically made for the vagina. It works to give light energy to the vaginal walls which stimulates a healing response. This creates new collagen, new blood vessels, moisture and also elasticity to the tissues.
Many women need at least three treatments of this procedure. It is still not available on the NHS but trials are currently underway in the NHS which is promising.
Does HRT help vaginal dryness?
Many women find that using the right type and dose of HRT can really improve their symptoms. It is quite safe to take HRT with the other treatments mentioned in this article.
READ MORE HRT, is it safe? Everything you need to know.
Your symptoms should improve after about three months of treatment. You should see your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, as sometimes these symptoms can be due to other conditions. It is also very important to see your doctor if you have any unusual bleeding from your vagina if you are receiving hormone treatment.
Find out more about Dr Louise Newson and the Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre at Menopausedoctor.co.uk
