This guest blog is authored by Heather Marra, PT, MPT, PRPC, PCES.
“Sex used to be so enjoyable; I never experienced vaginal dryness or pain.”
Are you finding that your body is changing, and at times, it can be downright frustrating? Are you facing more questions than answers? One of the common challenges women deal with during perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause is vaginal dryness, which can really put a damper on your sex life.
Where Are You in This Journey?
You might find yourself in one of the three stages of menopause:Â
Perimenopause: This stage is characterized by hormonal fluctuations that can lead to irregular periods, mood swings, and other symptoms. It can start as early as your 30s or 40s and typically lasts several years before menopause officially begins.Â
Menopause: Menopause is officially reached when you have gone a full 12 months without a menstrual period. Estrogen and progesterone production decline, leading to various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.Â
Post-Menopause: Post-menopause begins after menopause and continues for the rest of your life. Hormone levels stabilize at lower levels, and many menopausal symptoms may lessen or disappear, although some, like vaginal dryness, can persist without treatment.
Understanding Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
Did you know there’s a term for the changes you may be experiencing? It’s called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). These symptoms can include:
- Vaginal dryness and atrophy: Thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls, leading to dryness, itching, and discomfort.Â
- Pain, burning, or bleeding with intercourse: Reduced lubrication and thinning tissues can make sex painful or uncomfortable.Â
- Decreasing libido: Changes in hormone levels can affect your sex drive.Â
- Vaginal wall prolapse: Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can cause the vaginal walls to sag or protrude.Â
- Urinary urgency and leakage: Changes in the pelvic floor muscles and tissues can lead to issues such as urinary urgency and incontinence.
Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, many women hesitate to discuss them with their doctors.
Causes of GSM Symptoms
The primary cause of these symptoms is a drop in estrogen levels, which leads to vaginal atrophy—the thinning and drying of vaginal tissues.
Managing Vaginal Dryness and Improving Sexual Comfort
If you’re facing these issues, it’s crucial to talk to your gynecologist and consider seeing a pelvic physical therapist who specializes in women’s health. Here are some options for countering vaginal dryness and improving sexual comfort:Â
- Vaginal lubricants: These are essential for reducing friction and discomfort during intercourse. Look for products with a pH close to the natural vaginal pH of 4.5, low osmolality, and glycerin-free. Popular options include Slippery Stuff, Good Clean Love, Uberlube, or Desert Harvest.Â
- Vaginal moisturizers: These moisturizers are designed to hydrate and restore moisture to the vaginal tissues over time, similar to a facial moisturizer for your intimate areas. Consider brands like Ah!Yes, VMagic Vulva Balm, or Good Clean Love for gentle, effective relief.Â
- Vaginal estrogen cream: Available by prescription, vaginal estrogen cream can help restore the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues without significantly increasing systemic estrogen levels.Â
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: This specialized type of women’s health physical therapy can address pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, which may contribute to symptoms like pain during sex, urinary urgency, or leakage. Pelvic physical therapists can teach specific exercises and techniques to strengthen or relax muscles as needed, improving overall pelvic health and function.
Changes may be happening, but please don’t ignore or simply endure these symptoms. Effective treatments are available to enhance your sexual intimacy and overall comfort.
As a certified pelvic health physical therapist, I’m passionate about helping women navigate these changes and improve their quality of life. If you’re interested in learning more about your pelvic health or scheduling a virtual consultation, visit www.linktr.ee/onesimplesteptoday or email me at Heather@onesimplestep.today.
