Managing Vaginal Dryness During Menopause: Treatment Options 

Do you know what causes vaginal dryness in your menopause?
Do hormonal shifts really play a role?

The answer is YES!

As the estrogen levels decline, the vaginal tissues lose their natural moisture and elasticity. This, in turn, results in discomfort, itching and even painful intercourse(dyspareunia).

But you don’t have to endure it in silence. From natural remedies to medical therapies, there are effective ways to restore hydration and ease discomfort.

Let us take a closer look in this guide on vaginal dryness treatment options and the ways to reclaim your vaginal health.

To learn more about the broader health changes you might experience after menopause, check out our guide on- Health Changes to Expect After Menopause.

Understanding Vaginal Dryness During Menopause

Menopause alone is a rollercoaster ride for most of the women. Along with that, conditions like vaginal dryness make her life more miserable. Let us break down why vaginal dryness happens during menopause. It is not a random discomfort. Instead, it is a direct result of hormonal shifts and other hidden factors as follows:

• Hormonal Changes: During menopause, hormonal fluctuations act as the main culprit. Reduced estrogen levels lie behind as a reason for thinning of the vaginal lining and decreased natural lubrication of the vagina.
• Reduced Blood Flow: As circulation to the vaginal tissues decreases, they receive less oxygen and nutrients, resulting in loss of moisture and elasticity of vaginal tissues 
• Other Factors: Other sneaky factors like stress, certain medications (antidepressants, antihistamines), and lack of sexual activity may worsen vaginal dryness.
• Stress triggers cortisol, which can throw off your body’s natural balance, and medications dry out mucous membranes of vaginal tissues leading to reduced lubrication.

Symptoms:

• Vaginal discomfort -dryness, itching, or burning.
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Light bleeding or spotting after intercourse.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

A little care goes a long way! 

Moisture matters!

Here’s how to keep your intimate area soft, supple and healthy:

A. Hydration and Diet:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 2 litres of water daily to support natural lubrication and overall hydration
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, they help maintain cell membranes and tissue elasticity.
• Vitamin E: Supports tissue health; found in nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.
• Phytoestrogen-Rich Foods: Soy, flaxseeds, and chickpeas may mimic estrogen’s effects.

B. Vaginal Moisturisers:

For dryness that needs more than just water, vaginal moisturisers offer long-lasting relief by keeping vaginal tissues soft and hydrated. Regular application is recommended (every few days) for ongoing relief.

C. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil acts as a natural moisturiser and lubricant. Use pure, organic coconut oil for external and internal applications.

D. Aloe Vera:

The natural way to soothe irritation and promote healing of vaginal tissues. Ensure the product is 100% pure and free of additives.

Lifestyle Adjustments

You don’t need to follow a complex routine to restore comfort. Simple, every day habits can go a long way in preventing vaginal dryness and maintaining natural hydration.

A. Regular Sexual Activity: Intimacy plays a vital role in vaginal health. Regular intercourse stimulates blood flow to the vaginal tissues, maintaining elasticity and promoting natural lubrication. If dryness creates discomfort during sexual activity, opt for water-based or hyaluronic acid-based lubricants to enhance lubrication.

B. Kegel Exercises: Power up your pelvic floor muscles! Have you heard of Kegel Exercises? 
Kegel exercises are simple exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, rectum and uterus. It is named after its founder, Dr. Arnold Kegel. 
Strong pelvic floor muscle improves blood flow to the vaginal tissues, promoting natural moisture and flexibility.

How do you practise Kegel exercises?

Identify your pelvic floor muscles. Squeeze, hold and relax them. Though it sounds simple, you may need a little practice before you learn to exercise the right muscles.

Scroll through this blog to know more: Mastering Kegel Exercises: Benefits, Techniques, and Tips for Pelvic Floor Health

If you are unsure how to do it in the right way, the experts at Nirva Health can help you get started.

C. Avoid Irritants: Harsh soaps, douches and synthetic fabrics can strip away your natural vaginal moisture. Choose fragrance-free cleansers and breathable cotton underwear and avoid irritating chemicals to keep irritation at bay.

Medical Treatment Options

Many treatment options are available for vaginal dryness. If natural remedies do not bring you relief, go for these proven treatments that can provide targeted relief.

A. Vaginal Lubricants: The vagina naturally produces lubrication during intercourse. However, when there is a lack of lubrication, you may opt for artificial lubricants. It helps to reduce friction in the vagina, increasing comfort during sex and reducing vaginal irritation. 

The best lubricants available for vaginal dryness are in two forms:

• Water-Based Lubricants: Astroglide, KY Jelly (may require reapplication).
• Silicone-Based Lubricants: Longer-lasting and ideal for those with severe dryness

B. Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: Restores moisture directly to the vaginal tissues by delivering low doses of estrogen.

Available as:

• Creams: Estrace, Premarin (applied inside the vagina).
• Tablets: Vagifem (inserted with an applicator).
• Rings: Estring (releases estrogen gradually over three months)

C. Systemic Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT is suitable for women with multiple menopausal symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings.

• Available as oral, transdermal, or injectable estrogen and/or progesterone.
• Oestrogen creams, gels, rings or tablets can be used to restore the natural moisture of the vagina

D. DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): Intrarosa is an FDA-approved vaginal insert that improves lubrication and elasticity by boosting androgen and estrogen levels locally.

E. Laser Therapy: Non-invasive procedures like MonaLisa Touch or FemTouch stimulate collagen production, improving vaginal health

F. Prescription Medications: Ospemifene is an oral medication that acts like estrogen on vaginal tissues, improving dryness and reducing pain during intercourse. Note that this must be consumed only under medical supervision.

Complementary Therapies

Alternative therapies like Acupuncture and herbal remedies help some women to combat vaginal dryness during menopause. These remedies may improve circulation to the pelvic area, and some mimic estrogen, helping to restore the hormonal balance.

A. Acupuncture

The form of Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points of the body can help relieve vaginal dryness by improving circulation to the pelvic area and balancing hormones like estrogen.

B. Herbal Remedies

The unique use of certain herbs offers specialised benefits for vaginal health due to their distinct properties. Some of them include:

• Black Cohosh: The rhizome of Black Cohosh, aka rattle weed, contains a number of biologically active constituents, like formononetin, that have been proven to stimulate estrogen receptors and mimic estrogenic properties. Their supplements help to alleviate menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness.
• Red Clover: Red clover contains substances called isoflavones/phytoestrogens. They are compounds structurally similar to estrogen. Red clover supplements are now being promoted for menopause symptoms and osteoporosis.
• Asparagus racemosus or Shatavari: A known Ayurvedic herb that enhances female reproductive health. It contains steroidal saponins (Shatavarins I-IV) that are present in the roots and are responsible for their hormone-balancing effects. These compounds mimic estrogen activity supporting vaginal lubrication and reducing dryness.
• Flaxseed: Contains lignans that have mild estrogenic properties, supporting overall hormonal balance and vaginal health.

Always check with a healthcare provider before starting herbal supplements into your health plan.

Preventive Measures

After and around the time of menopause, your body makes less estrogen.

Are you someone in perimenopause and worried about vaginal dryness? There is no need for concern. Maintaining natural moisture in your intimate area is easier than you think!

Nurturing your body with the right choices can help you prevent and manage vaginal dryness effectively.

A. Avoid Drying Agents: Some products can take away natural moisture, worsening vaginal dryness. 

• Minimal use of panty liners can help retain the vaginal moisture. Opt for mild, breathable, unscented ones if needed.
• Excessive washing of your intimate area with douches and scented soaps can disrupt the natural pH balance, leading to dryness.
• Avoid prolonged hot baths because they can dry out delicate tissues in the vagina. Choose lukewarm showers instead.

B. Wear Breathable Clothing: The fabrics you wear impact vaginal health to a great extent by influencing airflow and moisture retention. Wear loose, cotton panties. They help the vaginal area breathe and prevent irritation. It is best to stay away from synthetic materials like nylon that trap heat.

C. Maintain Healthy Weight: Obesity can affect your hormonal balance and estrogen levels, which play a key role in vaginal moisture. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index(BMI) can help promote healthy vaginal tissue.

Conclusion

By reading through, now you might have found your own solutions to combat the vaginal dryness that’s affecting your menopause journey. Remember, with a blend of simple lifestyle changes, natural remedies and by adopting healthy food choices, vaginal dryness can be managed effectively. By managing this symptom, you can enhance physical comfort and boost emotional and sexual health during menopause.

If vaginal dryness is affecting your daily life, feel free to talk to the experts at Nirva Health for personalised guidance.

To read more on natural remedies to manage symptoms of menopause, scroll through the blog: How to Effectively Manage Symptoms of Menopause