Vaginal Dryness
A healthy vagina needs the same hygienic attention as any other part of your body similar to the way we care for our face. Between urine, sweat and being so close to the anus cleaning the vagina regularly is critical to prevent dirty bacterial buildup which could lead to acne and foul odors. The sweat glands and hair follicles are prone to dirt buildup just as any other area of the body with hair and sweat. The skin of the vagina is susceptible to dryness if not taken care of properly.
Balance in life and balance in the vagina go hand in hand. The vagina 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 the vagina. Anything that disrupts this delicate balance could lead to vaginal misery such as an infection, dryness, itching or burning.
Skin dryness involving any part of your body is uncomfortable and annoying, especially when it comes to the sensitive skin of the vagina. Persistent vaginal dryness causes itching, burning and pain could create emotional and physical disruptions in your daily life activities.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
The causes of vaginal dryness can be obvious while others are less suspecting.
Hormonal Influences
The 2 main hormonal assaults on the body causing a drop in estrogen leading to vaginal dryness and dehydration are breast feeding 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.
Another common cause of vaginal dryness is during menopause which typically happens around 51years old. Your ovaries permanently stop making estrogen, this leads to vaginal dryness, burning and pain with sexual activity. With the loss of estrogen, nourishing and hydrating the vagina, the tissue becomes dry, pale, itchy and dehydrated. During menopause, there are helpful treatments to restore and hydrate the vagina caused by low estrogen levels.
Both of these hormonal conditions leading to vaginal dryness can be reversible with regularly rehydrating the vaginal tissue with products especially made for this sensitive part of our body.
Unsuspecting Causes of Vaginal Dryness
The vagina can be sensitive and temperamental, often affected by everyday routines including diet, medications, stress, fragranced body and laundry soaps, douching and sex, especially if you haven’t had adequate foreplay.
Every day unsuspecting feminine rituals can disrupt the pH balance and irritate all areas of the vagina. The list is long and some of the common offenders may surprise you.
Common irritants you may or may not realize are problematic:
- Fragrant soaps, bubble bath liquids, bath salts, talcum powder
- Detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets
- Sanitary wipes and pads
- Warming gels and scented lubricants
- Nylon underwear or bathing suits
- Rubber products such as diaphragms and condoms
- Saliva or semen
- Spermicides such as foams, creams and jellies
- Feminine hygiene sprays, tampons or deodorant pads
- Creams or ointments applied to the vulva
Medications including the Birth Control Pill, Accutane, allergy and cold medications and certain antidepressants are common contributors to vaginal dryness. Caffeine and alcohol can also be added to the list of offensive culprits.
Tips for Avoiding Vaginal Dryness
The effect of aging on our entire body including our vagina is inevitable. Using a gentle, non-fragranced soap and natural skin moisturizer daily is ideal, especially ones made specifically for the vagina. Keeping our skin hydrated, clean and cared for will help prevent dryness, itching and pre-mature aging. Adding oral or vaginal pro-biotics to your daily regimen will also keep the vagina in complete balance and harmony.
We can all agree….a hydrated vagina is a happy vagina!
