Vaginal dryness? What causes this effect and what do doctors recommend?

Vaginal dryness affects 50% to 90% of women at some point.

Why the inaccuracy in these numbers? Because not everyone talks about it openly. Sometimes, women experience troublesome symptoms like pain during sexual activity but do not consult a doctor to talk about their problem.

"Before, we thought a few women had it. Now we're seeing that it's very common and that it's symptomatic in a very high percentage of women. I mean, it doesn't happen, but it's annoying," says Laura Camera. She is a midwife, sexologist and sexual and reproductive health specialist.

Vaginal dryness is called vaginal atrophy. It is a disease with physical consequences. But undoubtedly psychological.

But if you're already starting to show symptoms, there's an interesting way to get rid of them.

Estrogen problem

Although it is commonly called vaginal atrophy, in medical terms it is genetic menopausal syndrome (GMS). Because it involves changes in both genitalia, urethra and bladder.

In addition, it often occurs during this period of a woman's life.

This happens when estrogen levels drop. This group of hormones is present in both sexes. It is an important factor for heart, bone and brain health, as well as reproductive health in women.

Also, stress can be an important factor to take into account, as it affects the normal functioning of hormones and the cycle.

"Estrogen can decrease during breastfeeding, when taking birth control pills, and in patients with certain types of gynecological cancer or other tumors," says Laura Camera.

A very underrated symptom

Vaginal dryness and pain during sexual activity are frequent symptoms, says sexologist Laura.

In fact, she says, 90% of women with vaginal atrophy only talk about their pain when they seek medical advice.

"The problem is that pain during sex is so underrated and hidden. Many women have painful sex and are reluctant to ask for help. It's a taboo subject for them to talk about," she says.

Symptoms that affect the urinary tract include insufficient wetting during sexual activity, itching, irritation, or post-bleeding. Other symptoms may include diarrhoea, pain and incomplete urination, as well as dribbling urine.

Another symptom is decreased sexual desire. This is understood by the sensations that may appear in a woman with vaginal atrophy.

"It's accompanied by frustration and anticipation and anxiety. It usually creates problems in the couple's marriage. When there's pain during sex, the anxiety of intercourse is activated, thinking, 'This is going to hurt me,'" says Camera.

He reiterates that it will take a long time to address this pain as it is seen as a taboo subject to talk openly about it.

"Sometimes women come to counseling saying they have been feeling pain for years," she says.

Healthy lifestyle and genital blood flow

A drop in estrogen will happen to every woman sooner or later. For this reason, experts recommend some guidelines to help alleviate the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

SEGO first recommends lifestyle changes in the years leading up to menopause to prevent and avoid menopause, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.

And, if you do, it's important to stop smoking.

Because tobacco "increases estrogen metabolism," says SEGO. That means, "If you smoke, you're more likely to have vaginal atrophy earlier and have more symptoms," says Camera.

There is something else we can do to prevent it. It increases blood flow to the genitals.

How do you get it?

SEGO says it is possible through sexual activities.

"That means self-stimulation, partnered sex, the use of fantasies, the use of sex toys, sex in a broader and more varied sense," explains Laura.

It increases genital blood flow and provides oxygen. This improves the elasticity and lubrication of the area.

Laura Camera argues that as a sexologist, it is also important to rethink the type of sexual relationships we have.

"One has to be able to talk about the pains and sufferings that come with being in a relationship with someone who is good, living a life devoted to another, and having the most satisfying sex," she says.

As we said from the beginning, few women talk about it. Such people are treated as soon as the first symptoms appear.

SEGO advises that specific moisturizing creams for the genital area can be used to promote vaginal lubrication. It can be used for mild to moderate symptoms.

"We can start using them as soon as the slightest dryness appears, or even a normal moisturizer for the skin if we're at an age where it starts to feel that way," says Laura.

Also, laser technology, carbon dioxide application, hyaluronic acid and radio frequency therapy can be used to activate collagen and elasticity.

But SEGO points out that, despite satisfactory results in various studies, both vulvo-vaginal laser and radiofrequency are still lacking in data on its long-term efficacy and safety. So, says Laura, more evidence is needed before recommending it.

That's why she recommends a multifaceted approach that includes sexual support as an alternative.

"We can reach menopause and face deficiencies in that aspect, but we still have many years to experience sexuality. Sexuality education is necessary to realize all this. But that basic awareness is still lacking," says Laura.