Fortunately, there are things you can do to help with menopausal signs when they appear. Here we focus on a particularly common sign, known as vaginal dryness.
What does vaginal dryness feel like?
Vaginal dryness is a common problem that many of us experience during our lifetime. As you approach the postmenopause, you might find that it becomes more frequent.
For example, you might find yourself:
- Feeling sore or itchy in and around your vagina
- Experiencing pain or discomfort when having sex
- Weeing more often than usual
- Getting repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Having a white or yellow vaginal discharge (due to having an infection)
- Avoiding having sex
Vaginal dryness can leave some people feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable, but it’s important to remember that it’s a common sign.
When might you experience vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness can be caused by many things, including certain medications, breastfeeding
or cancer treatments, but it becomes more common around the time of the menopause.
Around the age of 45 to 55 years old (on average), you reach menopause. The stage before menopause, when periods usually start to become less frequent, is called perimenopause. You will then officially reach menopause once your periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months.
There's no hard-and-fast rule about when you'll experience menopause. While the average age to reach menopause is 51 in the UK, it can happen earlier. Menopause before the age of 45 is called early menopause and menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause, whereas late-onset menopause is a form of menopause that starts after the age of 55.
In many cases, there's also no clear reason why some people start earlier and others start later.
To learn more about what causes menopause and discover some of the other signs it’s associated with, take a look at our dedicated menopause guide.
What causes vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is often triggered by a change in your hormone levels, which can affect how much vaginal discharge or fluid you have. But why does this hormonal change happen during menopause specifically?
The process starts when your ovaries no longer produce the same level of the hormone oestrogen as they used to.
Oestrogen is the hormone responsible for helping to maintain the vagina’s lubrication, elasticity and thickness (among other things). So, when your oestrogen levels drop during menopause, your vaginal walls may become thin, dry and inflamed, which can result in vaginal dryness.
Can vaginal dryness disappear on its own?
Unlike some other signs of menopause, vaginal dryness doesn’t normally go away on its own. So, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you experience it during this time.
Unfortunately, many people who experience vaginal dryness don’t reach out for help. But there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Menopause affects everyone in different ways, and it’s important to remember you’re definitely not alone.
These signs are often accompanied by other signs that affect the urinary system – are referred to as ‘genitourinary syndrome of menopause’ (GSM). GSM can cause vaginal dryness to potentially worsen over time if left untreated.
Don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor for tailored advice – support is always available if and when you ever need it.
How to treat and manage vaginal dryness
While dealing with vaginal dryness can feel frustrating, there are several things you can do to help manage it effectively.
Vaginal dryness management techniques
Making certain lifestyle changes may help to manage vaginal dryness, especially in terms of deciding which toiletries and products you should use around your intimate area.
From a personal hygiene perspective, avoid using any perfumed soaps, washes or douches either in or around your vagina, and only use moisturisers designed to help with vaginal dryness. You may also want to avoid wearing pants when you sleep or any tight clothing that might make you sweat!
When it comes to being intimate, here are some tips on how to enjoy having sex:
- Use water-based lubricants before having sex
- Try to enjoy more foreplay so you feel more aroused during sex
Your diet can make a difference as well. Drinking enough water is particularly important because it can affect the natural lubrication of your vagina.
To help maintain a healthy, balanced diet, check out the NHS’s Eatwell Guide which has a wide variety of useful advice.
Treatments for vaginal dryness
While making various lifestyle changes can help to alleviate signs of vaginal dryness, certain treatments can be used to help even further.
Depending on your individual situation, your doctor may recommend treatments like:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – this treatment helps relieve signs of menopause, including vaginal dryness, by replacing the oestrogen in your body. There are two main types:
- Systemic HRT: Available as tablets, skin patches or gels, systemic HRT is absorbed into the bloodstream and works throughout the body to help ease a range of menopausal signs.
- Local vaginal HRT: These are available as creams, gels, pessaries or vaginal rings that are put directly into your vagina to help increase moisture and lubrication in the lining of your vagina and improve vaginal tissues. Local HRT can be safely used alongside systemic HRT if required.
- Vaginal lubricants and moisturisers – if vaginal dryness is the only menopausal sign you’re experiencing, lubricating gels or moisturisers may help to improve the moisture in your vagina. These come in various forms, so speak to a pharmacist for advice on which would be best for your needs.
Over-the-counter support
Finding the right type of over-the-counter support will depend on the signs you’re experiencing and how much they’re affecting your day-to-day life.
For example, CanesMeno® Hydration and Comfort Gel is a non-hormonal moisturising gel which can help to provide fast and long-lasting relief from vaginal dryness, burning and itching.
Other over-the-counter vaginal moisturisers or lubricants can be used in addition to, or instead of, vaginal oestrogen.
Don’t let vaginal dryness leave you feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable. By recognising the key signs and seeking tailored support from your doctor, you can help manage it in a way that fits with your day-to-day lifestyle.
