Around menopause, women go through several symptoms like vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and reduced sex drive. During that time, a woman’s sexual life is usually compromised. With less estrogen and progesterone production, the vulva tissues and vaginal lining become static, thin, and dry. Lessened estrogen does not mean that you should have to strain your physical and sexual health. Bluebonnet OB/GYN San Antonio has a team of professional gynecologists who deal with various issues affecting women. Providing holistic care to their patients, you can be assured of personalized gynecological care tailored to meet your unique needs.
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy is a condition that mostly affects women during menopause. Usually caused by reduced estrogen levels, vaginal atrophy is characterized by inflamed and dry vaginal tissues that will make you feel pain during intercourse and put stress on your bladder. Gynecologists describe vaginal atrophy and its associated symptoms as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) because it affects the urinary and vaginal muscles.
GSM symptoms include:
- Genital itching
- Uncomfortable sex
- Minimized vaginal lubrication
- A shortened and tightened vaginal canal
- UTI that comes and goes
- Vaginal dryness and burning
- Vaginal discharge
- Bleeding experienced after intercourse
- Urinary incontinence
How is vaginal dryness relieved at home?
Regular sex will help maintain your vaginal muscles’ elasticity and increase your vaginal blood flow, enhancing your vaginal health. However, when your vagina dries up, you could help revive it by various means like:
- Vaginal moisturizers. These over-the-counter creams will help moisturize your vaginal area and keep it moist.
- Use of lubricants. Lubricants mostly minimize discomforts experienced during intercourse.
- Give yourself an arousal period during intercourse.
However, if no home remedy is helpful, you can contact your doctor for treatments.
What makes you experience painful intercourse after menopause?
Your gynecologist will advise you to continue having regular sex during your early stages of menopause. This is because, with minimized sexual intercourse or no vaginal activity, your vagina becomes short and narrow. After a dormant sexual phase, you will feel pain when you try having intercourse, even with lubricant use. The pain is caused by dry and weak vulvovaginal tissues susceptible to tearing, bleeding, and injury during any vaginal penetration, including sexual intercourse. To help maintain a pleasurable sexual life, even after menopause, your gynecologist will advise you to continue having regular sex. The penetration will boost your vaginal tissues and keep them moist. Additionally, regular sex will help maintain your vaginal width and length.
How effective is MonaLisa Touch?
MonaLisa Touch is a vaginal laser treatment that helps rejuvenate your vaginal tissues to prevent you from having painful intercourse. If you have tried several hormonal therapies and estrogen creams with no effect, your doctor will suggest you go for the laser treatment. Though the laser treatment could take some time to affect its benefits, you will be relieved of your symptoms and enjoy a long-lasting sexual life.
Vaginal dryness is a common occurrence in women, and you should not feel alone. Thanks to various treatments that moisturize and increase blood flow to your vaginal tissues, your dryness can be restored. Contact expert gynecologists today for further inquiries. You can also book an online appointment.
