Genital Skin Dryness Matters
Skin dryness involving any part of the body is uncomfortable and annoying, especially when it comes to the sensitive and delicate tissue of the genitals.
A healthy genital needs the same hygienic attention as any other part of the body similar to the way we care for our face. The skin of the genitals is susceptible to dryness if not taken care of properly, starting at an early age. When your body is properly hydrated the skin of the genitals is less prone to dryness.
Persistent genital dryness causes itching, burning and pain that leads to emotional and physical disruptions in daily life activities including walking, going to work, exercise, intimacy and sleeping.
Balance in life and balance of the genitals goes hand in hand. Those with a vulva and vagina have a pH that is normally acidic. This sounds pretty scary however it is the preferred pH balance and is perfect for the many protective organisms which all live happily together in this area. Anything that disrupts this delicate balance could lead to genital misery such as an infection, dryness, itching or burning.
For those with a vulva and vagina there are the 2 main hormonal assaults on the body causing a drop in estrogen leading to vulva/vaginal dryness and dehydration are breast feeding, peri-menopause and menopause. As long as you are breastfeeding your estrogen levels plummet causing vaginal dryness, burning and pain with exercise and sex. Once you stop breast feeding your estrogen levels return to normal and the vagina will return to its normal healthy and hydrated state.
For those with a penis, “manopause”, a natural part of biological aging, is a slower and ongoing process of a lowering of testosterone, 1% a year after age 40. Symptoms include anxiety, moody changes, difficulty sleeping, discomfort during sex, feeling a loss of self AND SKIN CHANGES INCLUDING DRYNESS.
Dryness occurs on the vulva and inside of the vagina. Every day unsuspecting hygiene rituals can disrupt the pH balance and irritate all areas of the genitals leading to dryness. The list is long and some of the common offenders may surprise you.
Common irritants and others prone to genital dryness.
Persistent genital dryness cause itching, burning, infection and pain could create emotional and physical disruptions in your daily life activities.
Dry skin can cause:
• inflamed skin
• scratch marks
• bumps
• spots or blisters
• dry, cracked skin
• leathery or scaly patches
More Genital Skin Disruptors
Urine
Feces
Genital skin care products
• Fragrant soaps, bubble bath liquids, bath salts, talcum powder
• Sanitary wipes and pads
• Genderless hygiene sprays, tampons or deodorant pads
Clothing cleaning products
• Detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets
Exercise
• Exercise-Excessive Sweating
• Nylon underwear or bathing suits
Sexual activity
• Warming gels and scented lubricants
• Rubber products such as diaphragms and condoms
• Latex allergy
• Saliva or semen
• Spermicides such as foams, creams and jellies
Genital Care Esthetics
• Creams or ointments applied to the genitals
• Shaving, lasering and waxing the hair around the genitals
Medications
Birth Control Pill, Accutane, antihistamines, diuretics, statins and cold medications and certain antidepressants are common contributors to vaginal dryness.
Nutrition
• Alcohol Consumption
• Vitamin or mineral deficiency-Low Vit D, Vit A, Niacin, Zinc, Iron
• Caffeine
• Eating Disorders-Anorexia, Bulimia
Health/Medical Issues
• Diabetes, Thyroid, Kidney Disease
• Itchy skin conditions-atopic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis
• Cancer survivors
• Tobacco use
• HIV+
People
• Fair skin, black and brown skin people
• Aging especially People over 40y
Cold Weather
• Cold temperature environments
