5 Reasons to Take Chronic Vaginal Dryness Seriously

Vaginal dryness can cause discomfort and also be awkward to discuss. However, it shouldn’t be since about half of all post-menopausal women between 51 and 60 experience it. Additionally, about 17% of premenopausal women between 18 and 50 report vaginal dryness during intercourse. 

In most cases, a decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause and perimenopause causes vaginal dryness. In premenopausal women, it can be due to various conditions such as breastfeeding, cancer treatments, diabetes, and certain medications. 

At Female Health Associates of North Texas, located in Fort Worth, Texas, you can feel comfortable discussing your pain and discomfort with board-certified urogynecologist Dr. Jeffrey Hantes. He’s known for his bedside manner and compassion and can recommend a treatment plan to improve your vaginal health. 

Unfortunately, chronic vaginal dryness can affect your quality of life. Here are five issues you may experience related to vaginal dryness and how you can treat them. 

1. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Vaginal dryness can lead to thinning of tissue that lines your vaginal walls, causing irritation that can increase your risk of UTIs. Additionally, estrogen loss weakens your urethra muscles, which increases your risk of bacteria entering your urethra and moving up to your bladder. 

Symptoms of UTIs include frequent urination, a burning sentiment with urination, and foul-smelling and cloudy urine.

2. Irritation and discomfort

Vaginal dryness doesn’t only affect your internal vaginal walls and tissue. It can also irritate your external vulva, making it feel itchy, burning, and irritated. Wearing pants and undergarments, sitting, or exercising may exacerbate your discomfort.

3. Painful sex

As you approach menopause, your vaginal walls get thinner, and your body produces less moisture, making your vaginal walls thin and dry. Without proper lubrication of your vaginal walls, there’s more friction, and sex can be painful. 

4. Bleeding after intercourse

In addition to pain during intercourse, some women experience bleeding due to tearing of thin, dry vaginal tissue. Bleeding is painful and can be embarrassing. However, vaginal bleeding can also be a result of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), so it’s important to make an appointment with Dr. Hantes if you notice bleeding after sex so he can help determine the cause. 

5. Low self-esteem

Sexual intimacy is an essential part of many relationships. If you can’t have sex because it’s painful and embarrassing, it can make you feel inadequate and lead to low self-esteem and low sexual confidence. 

Treatments for vaginal dryness

Fortunately, there are many ways to address vaginal dryness so you can return to having a vibrant and healthy sex life. Some treatment options Dr. Hantes may recommend include:

• Over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants
• Hormone replacement therapy
• The Orgasm Shot  (O-Shot) procedure
• Mona Lisa Intravaginal Laser Therapy

If you’re experiencing persistent vaginal dryness, call Female Health Associates of North Texas to make an appointment or request one online.