Think again: When’s the final time you had a roundtable about, um, vaginal dryness? Okay, it’s most likely not the go-to matter blowing up your group textual content—however (PSA) it’s formally time to speak about it.
Why? Because vaginal dryness is significantly frequent in perimenopause, menopause, and past (like, should you’re taking oral contraceptives or breastfeeding or experiencing stress)—and there’s a main information hole across the situation. That’s why board-certified OB-GYN Lucky Sekhon, MD, desires to make clear the problem—from the causes to essentially the most generally occurring signs—and encourage some vagina dialogues.
Once you’ve eased into the concept vaginal dryness is not only a *you* drawback, pay attention to Dr. Sekhon’s easy, holistic suggestions for a little bit of aid—like small diet shifts, extra frequent sexual exercise (yep, actually), and body care with high-quality, efficient substances comparable to hyaluronic acid (which, FYI, you will discover in Revaree, a hyaluronic-acid-packed vaginal insert that’s clinically proven to enhance dryness, relieve painful intercourse, and ease basic discomfort, it doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re in).
Keep studying to get the low-down on vaginal dryness and study extra about the advantages of hydrating inserts. Vaginal health has entered the chat.
What causes vaginal dryness?
If your vagina feels dry, irritated, or painful, decreased estrogen ranges could also be in charge. “Estrogen is a hormone that helps [support] vaginal health [by] maintaining the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues and lubrication,” Dr. Sekhon says, “and its decline can lead to various changes, including dryness.” This occurs mostly throughout perimenopause—the transition interval earlier than menopause—and menopause, when your ovaries start producing much less estrogen, however it may happen at any age.
“In younger women, vaginal dryness is often linked to factors such as hormonal imbalances, certain medications (like antihistamines and antidepressants), stress, excessive exercise, smoking, breastfeeding, [and] lack of arousal before sexual activity,” she says.
In perimenopause and menopause, decreased estrogen ranges trigger vaginal tissue to develop into thinner, much less elastic, and extra prone to dryness and irritation—a situation generally known as vaginal atrophy. What’s extra, “a lower estrogen level can lead to a higher vaginal pH, which reduces the vagina’s ability to ward off harmful bacteria and fungi, contributing to dryness and discomfort.”
For postmenopausal ladies, vaginal dryness can develop into a continual subject that is typically accompanied by thinning and irritation of the vaginal partitions, Dr. Sekhon says. “In addition to the long-term effects of decreased estrogen, other factors like medical conditions, medications for chronic diseases, and overall health status can contribute to or exacerbate vaginal dryness in older women.”
The backside line? As you age, a complete host of things can have an effect on your vaginal health, so getting knowledgeable about (and a little aid for) what’s occurring is important.
A information to vaginal-dryness aid
Before you resign to an always-dry actuality, pay attention to the easy methods Dr. Sekhon suggests supporting your vaginal health day-after-day: Try to remain hydrated, keep away from topical irritants like scented soaps and douches, and incorporate phytoestrogen-rich meals like soy and flaxseed into your diet. Oh, and don’t hand over on pleasure time. “Regular sexual activity, with or without a partner, can help maintain vaginal health by improving blood flow to the area,” she says.
Alongside the following pointers and tips, Dr. Sekhon recommends vaginal inserts as an efficient resolution for managing dryness. “Inserts deliver active ingredients directly to the vaginal tissues [to] provide targeted relief right where it’s needed,” she says. “By alleviating dryness and discomfort, vaginal inserts can greatly improve sexual comfort and enjoyment [and] can help maintain vaginal health, preventing atrophy and irritation.”
For the best stage of hydration, she opts for inserts that comprise moisturizers like hyaluronic acid. “[Hyaluronic acid] can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent hydrating agent for the vaginal tissues,” she says. Plus, “it supports tissue repair and regeneration, which is beneficial for thinning and fragile vaginal [walls].”
You can ship a stable dose of hyaluronic acid straight to the supply with Revaree—an easy-to-use, hormone-free vaginal insert from Bonafide Health that’s really useful by over 7,500 docs and formulated to ease dryness and enhance consolation for all of the day’s actions (intimate ones included). According to Bonafide Health’s chief medical officer and gynecologist Alyssa Dweck, MD, FACOG, “Revaree is a wonderful option as a first-line management tool, in addition to estrogen or as an alternative. It works by binding water, and likely through angiogenesis, [or] improving blood flow to the vaginal tissue.” Just attain for the applicator-free, no-mess insert as soon as each two to a few nights, and sleep soundly understanding you’re supporting your vaginal health.
Ready to interrupt the silence round vaginal dryness and eventually reclaim some consolation (and possibly a little pleasure, please)? Use code WELL20 for 20 % off your first month’s subscription of Revaree. Go forward, textual content it to the group thread.
