Regular sex is defined as having sex 1 to 2 times a week.

Vaginal dryness in your 20’s and 30’s

Skin dryness involving any part of the body is uncomfortable and annoying, especially when it comes to the sensitive tissue of the vagina.

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.

The 2 main hormonal assaults on the body causing a drop in estrogen leading to 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.

Dryness occurs on the vulva and inside of the vagina. Every day unsuspecting feminine rituals can disrupt the pH balance and irritate all areas of the vulva and vagina causing vaginal dryness.  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
• Latex allergy
• Saliva or semen
• Spermicides such as foams, creams and jellies
• Feminine hygiene sprays, tampons or deodorant pads
• Creams or ointments applied to the vulva
• Shaving and waxing the hair around the vagina
• Medications including the Birth Control Pill, Accutane, allergy and cold medications and certain antidepressants are common contributors to vaginal dryness.

Persistent vulva and vaginal dryness cause itching, burning, infection and pain could create emotional and physical disruptions in your daily life activities.

Vaginal Dryness in your 40’s

Hormonal changes over the decades also influence the integrity and elasticity of the vagina. Vaginal dryness is a common consequence of the hormonal collateral damage to the vagina. Estrogen fluctuations during peri-menopause can cause vaginal dryness. As you age and lose your subcutaneous fat in your body, the fat in the vagina also decreases making the lips looks thinner and the tissue more prone to dryness.

With peri-menopause and menopause there is the loss of estrogen nourishing and hydrating the vagina, the tissue becomes dry, pale and dehydrated.  The labia of the vagina can become fused and the vagina and clitoris shrink.  The labia become less full, losing its fatty pads and the skin loses its collagen.  The end result is lighter or darker appearing labia that sag. The medical term for this is vulva-vaginal atrophy.

Symptoms of vaginal dryness

Persistent vulva and vaginal dryness can cause itching, swelling, burning, UTI’s, pain with sex, yeast and bacterial infections which can lead to emotional and physical disruptions in daily life activities especially in the bedroom.

Medications and vaginal dryness

Avoid medications that can cause vaginal dryness including Medications including the Birth Control Pill, Accutane, allergy and cold medications and certain antidepressants are common contributors to vaginal dryness.

Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, tampons or deodorant pads, spermicides such as foams, creams and jellies.