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.