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Effective Natural Treatments for Vaginal Dryness

Article Content
Dr. Michael Green
Medically Reviewed byDr. Michael GreenMD, OB/GYN Chief Medical OfficerRead Bio
Written ByWinona Editorial Team
Published08/17/21
Updated09/20/23

Vaginal Atrophy, also known as vaginal dryness and irritation, is a prevalent issue among women. Surprisingly, approximately 50% of women over 50 experience vaginal dryness, while 25% encounter difficulties with dryness during sexual activity. Furthermore, approximately 16% of women report experiencing vaginal pain. Various factors contribute to the development of vaginal dryness and irritation, with reduced estrogen levels being the most common cause.

The decrease in hormone production that occurs with age exacerbates dryness in the vagina and the vulva (the outer lips of the vagina), particularly during menopause. Vaginal dryness and itching often accompany sensations of burning, discomfort, and pain during sexual intercourse. While menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes can improve as women progress through the menopause transition, vaginal atrophy tends to worsen, significantly impacting overall health and quality of life.

Fortunately, the causes of vaginal itching and dryness are well understood, and there are effective natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can provide relief from these symptoms. This article will delve deeper into the topic of vaginal atrophy, offering a comprehensive understanding of its causes, as well as presenting various preventive and treatment options.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness and itching can give rise to discomfort during everyday activities like sitting, standing, exercising, urinating, and sexual intercourse. While decreased hormone levels are the most common cause of vaginal irritation, other factors can contribute to this condition as well. These include yeast infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pubic lice, certain acne medications, and nutritional imbalances. Additionally, the use of hormonal contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and irritation from waxing or shaving can also lead to vaginal dryness.

Emotional factors, like stress and anxiety, can also play a role in the development of vaginal dryness and decreased lubrication during sexual activity. When a woman experiences anxiety, insufficient blood flow to the vagina can occur, resulting in inadequate lubrication.

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy (VVA), also known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), refer to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal wall. This condition occurs due to declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels during menopause. Reduced estrogen in particular contributes to thinning, dryness, decreased elasticity, and increased fragility of the vaginal tissue. More than half of menopausal women in the US experience VVA/GSM, making it a prevalent and chronic condition that requires treatment. However, many women are unaware that this condition can be effectively treated.

Vaginal atrophy not only causes pain and distress, but it’s often accompanied by urinary symptoms, significantly impacting a woman's quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and relationships with partners.

The symptoms of vaginal atrophy may include the following:

  • Burning, itching, and stinging sensation in and around the vagina

  • Dryness, irritation, and abnormal discharge

  • Soreness in and around the vagina

  • Increased susceptibility to vaginal infections

  • Vaginal pain and/or bleeding during sexual intercourse

  • Decreased lubrication during sex

  • Reduced sexual desire

  • Frequent UTIs

  • Urinary urgency and frequency

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Discomfort, pain, or burning sensation during urination (known as dysuria)

Women often hesitate and feel embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with their healthcare providers, which can lead them to endure unnecessary suffering from VVA/GSM. Shockingly, only 7% of the millions of women affected by VVA/GSM receive prescription therapies that can rapidly alleviate their symptoms. In a survey of over 3,000 menopausal women experiencing VVA/GSM symptoms, only 50% consulted their healthcare providers, and more than half were unaware of any available treatments. Yet there are both treatments and lifestyle changes that can help manage VVA/GSM.

Say goodbye to dryness. For Good.

Say goodbye to dryness. For Good.

Foods and Lifestyle Choices for Optimal Vaginal Health

Maintaining a balanced diet consisting of diverse, nutritious foods and staying well-hydrated are important foundations for promoting vaginal health. In addition to these general guidelines, certain foods, beverages, and lifestyle choices can specifically support optimal vaginal health, particularly during the menopause transition:

  • Fatty Acids (Omega-3): Foods rich in fatty acids may help promote additional vaginal lubrication, reduce vaginal dryness, and enhance blood flow. Such foods include raw pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna.

  • Isoflavones: Foods high in isoflavones, which are plant-derived phytoestrogens, can help regulate declining estrogen levels during perimenopause. Some of these include soybeans, chickpeas, fava beans, pistachios, peanuts, and apples. Incorporating minimally-processed soy products in moderation like edamame, tofu, tempeh, and miso can also be beneficial for addressing vaginal dryness and skin issues, particularly when estrogen levels are decreasing.

  • Green Leafy Vegetables: Greens like kale, collards, and chard can provide nutritional support, potentially preventing vaginal dryness while increasing stimulation.

  • Sweet Potatoes: Rich in beta carotene and vitamin A, sweet potatoes can help protect thinning uterine walls, strengthen vaginal muscle tissue, and normalize estrogen levels.

  • Avocado: This nutrient-dense fruit is packed with healthy fats, vitamin B-6, and potassium, associated with improved vaginal lubrication, stronger vaginal walls, and hormonal balance.

  • Hot Chiles: While not directly related to reducing symptoms, hot chiles can improve blood circulation and stimulate nerve endings important for sexual arousal.

  • Cranberry Juice: Unsweetened cranberry juice contains vitamins E and C and can help balance vaginal pH, reduce irritation, and potentially decrease the frequency of UTIs.

  • Probiotics: Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut, kombucha tea, and kimchi can help maintain a healthy vaginal pH, preventing infections that may cause increased vaginal pain and irritation.

  • Vitamins A, B, and E: Foods rich in these vitamins, like vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats, can promote lubrication and overall vaginal health. An alternative is to take supplements that contain these vitamins under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

  • Multivitamins: It’s recommended for women of all ages to take daily multivitamins or multimineral supplements tailored to their specific age group.

In addition to dietary choices, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and considering pelvic floor exercises to strengthen weak vaginal muscles and relax tight ones is important. Staying adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water is crucial, as dehydration can contribute to vaginal dryness and irritation.

These dietary and lifestyle suggestions support vaginal health, but individual needs may vary. Consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance is always recommended.

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Vaginal Health

The estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone naturally occurring in the body are what provide natural vaginal lubrication. These hormones not only play a critical role in vaginal health but also sexual health. They work to keep the walls of the vagina naturally lubricated by stimulating the glands present in the vagina. For women in their late 30s, decreasing hormones is most likely the cause of vaginal dryness and irritation. 

When estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels drop with perimenopause, the lining of the vagina becomes thinner and less elastic, and the glands are less effective. Supplementing these declining hormones with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way to prevent and treat vaginal dryness, itching, irritation, and painful sex (dyspareunia). It can also reduce bladder problems, infections, and other urogenital symptoms.

The most natural way to prevent vaginal dryness and irritation is to replace the declining estrogen by supplementing with topical estrogen cream, patches, or pills. With oral estrogen pills, the standard doses provided to treat hot flashes and other menopause symptoms will also treat vaginal dryness. Some women may benefit from additional low-dose vaginal estrogen treatment as well. For vaginal symptoms alone, estrogen cream applied to the vagina is the recommended approach.

Creams applied directly to the vagina act as a natural moisturizer and replace some estrogen at lower doses than oral estrogen pills. Estrogen cream applied directly to the vagina will restore vaginal health, relieve vaginal dryness, and decrease discomfort with sex.

In addition to estrogen and progesterone, some HRT includes dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone. This means that DHEA is converted to these hormones in the body. DHEA can increase testosterone just enough to slow the signs of aging, help with thinning vaginal tissue, and improve sexual arousal. Blood levels of testosterone do not appear to increase with vaginal use of low-dose DHEA.

Say goodbye to dryness. For Good.

Say goodbye to dryness. For Good.

Summary

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but that doesn’t mean women must endure its disruptive symptoms. Various approaches are available to address vaginal atrophy, and it's important for women to explore different treatment options, like HRT, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes, to find what works best for them. Menopause can be viewed as a positive new chapter, providing an opportunity to take proactive steps in mitigating major health risks associated with the natural decline in hormone levels.

Regardless of the severity of vaginal symptoms, HRT creams, patches, or pills can greatly improve the overall quality of life. Through embracing and supporting the body's changing needs with essential hormones and nutrients, women can navigate this transition with ease and well-being.

“This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.”

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