Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Should Know
Many women experiencing vaginal dryness don’t realize that there can be different causes and many different ways to combat it. In this blog post, we sat down with Dr Alyssa Dweck, Chief Medical Officer at Bonafide and author of ‘The Complete A to Z for your V’, to discuss vaginal dryness and treatment options.
First up, what exactly is vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is a general term used to refer to a spectrum of symptoms, including:
Itching, irritation, sensitivity and general awareness of the genitals
Burning, frequency or urgency when peeing
Pain or discomfort during sex
Higher risk of recurrent UTIs & BV
Menopause is the most common cause of vaginal dryness.
During menopause, as estrogen levels lower so does the blood supply to the genitals. Less blood supply to the genitals causes more dryness, making the vulvovaginal tissues more delicate, causing them to be more prone to microabrasions, tears and infection.
Other causes of vaginal dryness may include:
Low estrogen levels due to birth control, breastfeeding or medications.
Reduced blood flow due to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, prior surgery, autoimmune diseases or medications.
Dr Dweck explains that the term “vaginal dryness” is too simplistic.
Firstly, symptoms don’t just involve the vagina - but the external anatomy of the vulva, also. Secondly, vaginal dryness is a spectrum of symptoms that will be experienced differently by each person; it’s not always just dryness.
In recent years, the term ‘Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause’ or GSM has been used to refer to the impact the hormonal shifts experienced during menopause have on the genitals. GSM is an all-encompassing term that includes the labia, urethra, vagina and clitoris.
How does GSM impact women’s lives?
Some women are ashamed to discuss their symptoms with their healthcare providers and avoid seeking support until it’s really impacting their lives.
GSM has the potential to have a profoundly negative impact on women’s self-esteem and self-confidence. It can directly inhibit or dampen a person’s desire to be intimate, which can negatively impact relationships.
Many feel alone in their experiences when actually, many women suffer from GSM. The VIVA Survey found 48% of women experience genital discomfort, but we know the real figures are likely much higher than that.
What’s the biggest challenge of GSM?
The biggest challenge of GSM is the chronic and progressive nature of the issue. It requires an ongoing commitment to managing the symptoms - but Dr Dweck insists on keeping an optimistic outlook because there are so many treatment options out there.
So, what treatment options are available?
Moisturizing - Dr Dweck suggests moisturizing as your first stop. Just like you moisturize your face each day - you have to get in the habit of proactively using a vaginal moisturizer to maintain and support your vulvovaginal tissues. She recommends Revaree® - a hyaluronic acid-based vaginal moisturizer. Revaree is a tiny insert placed into the vagina before sleep, used 2-3 times per week. It dissolves and creates a nice amount of moisture with minimal leakage.
Lifestyle Changes - Dr Dweck recommends carefully considering your lifestyle habits, including which hygiene products you use, and avoiding synthetic fragrances and fabrics. These changes can help support a healthy vaginal microbiome.
Vaginal Estrogen - Those who are really struggling with symptoms associated with vaginal dryness may consider using vaginal estrogen. This differs from systemic menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) because it’s a very small amount of the hormone applied locally to the vagina.
We recommend consulting your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option for you, based on your medical history.
Dr Dweck explains that menopausal women have a higher risk of recurrent UTIs.
Menopausal women have much more delicate vaginal tissue due to the lack of estrogen. This means they’re more vulnerable to micro-abrasions and infection. By taking the above steps to keep the vulvovaginal tissues healthy and moisturized, you can mitigate your UTI risk.
Here are Dr Dweck’s key takeaways:
Vaginal dryness and its associated symptoms are a super prevalent issue and chances are, you’re not the only person suffering. Don’t be shy, go to your healthcare provider and seek support.
Remember to keep an optimistic outlook - there really are more and more options for treatment and support, with different pathways to suit different people.
Understanding the causes behind vaginal dryness and your options for managing it are the first steps towards taking control of your vaginal & urinary health.
For more information on your urinary health, check out the MyUTI education center here.
Interested in trying out Revaree® ? Use code is MYUTI20 and get 20% off the first month of any Revaree subscription.
