Vaginal Dryness and Itching
What is vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is a common menopause symptom experienced by many women. Vaginal itching and discomfort during sexual intercourse are associated with vaginal dryness.
What causes vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness occurs during menopause due to low estrogen levels. Estrogen plays an important role in vaginal health to keep the vagina moisturized, lubricated and supple, which prevents vaginal dryness and itching.
There may be other causes of vaginal dryness and itching that are not related to menopause. Vaginal dryness and itching can also be caused by:
- fungal infections
- bacterial infections
- vaginitis
- skin diseases
- allergic reaction
Your physician can accurately diagnosed that the vaginal symptoms experienced are caused by changes in hormone levels, and not other causes as listed above.
How is vaginal dryness treated?
Vaginal dryness can be treated using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the form of vaginal applications, that is, vaginal creams or pessaries.
Natural therapies can also prove useful when HRT is poorly tolerated or when a woman chooses not use use HRT. Natural therapies include the use of:
- saw palmetto
- vitamin E
- water based lubricants
It’s possible to combine natural therapies with traditional HRT. Vitamin E and water based lubricants can be used safely and effectively with hormone replacement. Caution needs to be taken when using saw palmetto and hormone replacement together, it’s probably best to discuss this combination with your physician before using them.
Drug free management techniques can also be used to ease vaginal dryness and itching. These techniques is also useful in preventing vaginal atrophy (thinning of vaginal tissue).
- Remain sexually active to preserve elasticity of your vagina
- Perform Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the muscles of your vagina and pelvis
June 23rd, 2005 at 4:38 pm
Are the problems of vaginal itching in postmenopausal women more common during PMS?
June 29th, 2005 at 10:41 pm
I have gone through menopuase at a rapid pace due to radiation and chemotherapy due to colorectal cancer. It is too painful to have intercourse with my husband. I have talked to the radiologist, onocologist, gynocologist and fmly doc about this problem. They all give me the same answer. Use lubricants. I have used lubricants including astroglide. I don’t think you can get my lubricated than that. I am at a loss here. What else can I do.
April 23rd, 2006 at 9:31 am
In same boat, found anything yet? I have recently had surgery to cut scar tissue. Too soon for results yet. Doc said no guarantee.
April 12th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Does oral sex from a man with diabetes cause yeast infection or vaginal itching and mild burning in his partner? Or would only penetrative intercourse cause that?
January 15th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I have vaginal dryness caused by menopause. A supplement for women called Sentia helps to reduce it. Now I have very slight sensation of it. Immense relief.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Sentia puts the axe in the helve. After using this supplement I don’t feel itching and pain.