Let’s talk about some natural solutions for a common vaginal health concern. Let’s talk about vaginal dryness home remedies.
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In this article:
- What Is Vaginal Dryness?
- What Are the Different Vaginal Dryness Symptoms?
- What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
- What Are the Different Vaginal Dryness Home Remedies?
- Other Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal Dryness Treatment: 6 Natural Solutions
What Is Vaginal Dryness?
Vaginal dryness is exactly what the term suggests—it’s lack of or minimal vaginal lubrication.
It’s a reproductive health condition affecting not only women going through menopause or perimenopause. Women in their 20s and 30s may experience vaginal dryness, too.
What Are the Different Vaginal Dryness Symptoms?
Even though it seems like a localized health concern, vaginal dryness affects a woman’s quality of life. This is so as the symptoms go beyond the vaginal opening.
Here are the symptoms of vaginal dryness:
- Decreased amount of vaginal lubricant
- Reduced vaginal tissue elasticity
- Thinning of vaginal tissue or vaginal atrophy
- Vaginal itching
- Tissue inflammation or atrophic vaginitis
- Painful sex
- Abnormal odor of vaginal discharge
- Pain and discomfort in the vaginal area, especially when performing physical activities such as running, riding a bike, etc.
- Difficulty achieving sexual arousal or orgasm
- Decreased desire for sexual intercourse
- Urinary leakage
- Pelvic prolapse symptoms like lower back pain, constipation, or difficult urination
- Frequent or increased risk for vaginal infections
As a result of these symptoms, women experiencing vaginal dryness lose self-confidence and intimacy towards their partners.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
The causes of vaginal dryness may be internal or external:
- Hormone-disrupting activities like smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, and drinking too much alcohol
- Taking antibiotics, anti-allergy medications, steroids, birth control pills, and antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Not enough sexual arousal
- Use of artificial birth-control methods like the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)
- Food and environmental allergies
- Breastfeeding
- Postpartum condition
- Chemically formulated and scented beauty products like soaps, perfumes, and skin creams
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What Are the Different Vaginal Dryness Home Remedies?
Unlike other menopausal symptoms, i.e. hot flashes, vaginal dryness doesn’t go away on its own. One must take charge and resolve this health concern through natural or medical means.
Here are some vaginal dryness home remedies to help ease your discomfort:
1. Eat Healthy Fats
Essential fatty acids are healthy fats. They aid in the production and functions of bodily hormones.
Your food sources include:
- Salmon
- Mackerel
- Oysters
- Sardines
- Avocado
- Organic eggs
- Cod liver oil
- Olive oil
- Organic butter
- Walnuts
- Soybeans
- Caviar
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Anchovies
- Herring
2. Avoid Sugar and Gluten
A high intake of sugary products increases your risk for a yeast infection. It also makes it hard for your estrogen levels to maintain the balance between insulin and glucose levels in your blood.
Gluten, on a different yet related note, may cause mucosal dryness. Mucus is what lines the delicate tissues of the vagina.
3. Take Natural Probiotics
Probiotics need not take the form of a tablet, capsule, or drink to be effective. Fermented foods like natto, kimchi, kefir, and pickled vegetables are rich in these gut flora-boosting microorganisms.
Yogurt (not the kind that’s rich in preservatives and sugar) is also a good source of probiotics.
And why do you need probiotics? Good bacteria may aid in relieving the symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy and dryness.
4. Limit Your Exposure to Vaginal Irritants
Simply put, scented and bleached products may cause irritation and dry your lady parts. The formulations usually include chemicals that strip off the skin’s natural moisture.
It’s best to opt for fragrance-free lotions, sanitary pad, soaps, and detergents for underwear.
5. Do Regular Kegel Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises like Kegels help increase or maintain good blood flow in the tissues of your vaginal area. This then results in increased nutrient and oxygen supply in a dry vagina.
Kegel exercise also helps improve vaginal muscle elasticity and resolve constipation and urine excretion problems. Practice it while doing house chores, working, watching TV, or reading!
How to do Kegels:
- Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Remember: Don’t hold your breath or flex your thighs, abdomen, or buttocks.
- Hold the first step for three seconds.
- Relax your pelvic floor muscles for three seconds.
- Do 10 sets daily.
6. Try Natural Vaginal Lubricants
Some natural lubricants like the ones below may help soothe vaginal discomfort and dryness. Apply one topically in meager amounts:
- Coconut oil
- Aloe vera
- Jojoba oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Ghee
- Shea butter
Important Notes: These are natural vaginal moisturizers that may provide relief without harsh chemicals. But keep in mind they are not long-term solutions. If irritation or further dryness occurs or worsens, immediately stop use and consult a physician.
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Other Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
O-Shot
This type of treatment for vaginal dryness uses a person’s own blood platelets to support the body’s natural ability to achieve orgasm and produce lubrication for the vaginal opening. It gets completed between 30 minutes to an hour.
The process begins with the blood being drawn from the patient. And then, it is placed in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the lot.
The resulting plasma is then injected into the vaginal tissues. This encourages tissue growth making the area more sensitive and lubricated.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Estrogen Therapy
Vaginal estrogen may take any of the following forms:
- Estrogen tablet
- Vaginal cream
- Vaginal ring
Androgen Therapy
Dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA is a steroid androgen (an artificial form of the male hormone) which helps boost sex drive, arousal, and vaginal lubrication. It also helps increase collagen density leading to a stronger vaginal wall.
Vaginal dryness is a common problem among women, especially among those going through menopause. It’s a painful condition that may affect one’s self-esteem and quality of life, but there are a number of treatment options available for this, both natural and medical.
For more information and advice on the remedies for vaginal dryness, make an appointment with your doctor. He or she will be able to help formulate a suitable treatment plan for you.
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