Vaginal Dryness: Causes|Symptoms|Management and Home Remedies

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What is Vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is a medical condition characterized by the lack of moisture in the vaginal area of a woman. This may result in dryness, itching, irritation and burning sensation. Vaginal dryness makes sexual intercourse painful and may also result in bleeding. Mostly it affects post-menopausal woman, but it may affect women of any age group.

Normally the estrogen hormone, a group of steroid hormones produced by the ovaries, that promotes the development and maintains female characteristics of the body, keeps the walls of the vagina lubricated by maintaining a thin layer of clear fluid. Fall in the level of estrogen hormone causes dryness of vagina.

Vaginal Dryness Causes, Symptoms, Management and Home Remedies

Factors that contribute to vaginal dryness are:

• Menopause
• After childbirth
• During Breastfeeding
• Radiation and chemotherapy.
• Surgical removal of ovaries
• Anti-estrogen medications given in the treatment of endometriosis (abnormal growth of the cells that are similar to the cells that forms the lining of the uterus) and uterine fibroids due to which the level of estrogen hormone drops and reduces the amount of the moisture making the vagina less elastic and thinner.
• Psychological reasons such as stress, anxiety, problems in relationships
• Absence of foreplay may also contribute to the dryness of the vagina.

What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness:

Vaginal dryness itself may be a symptom of some underlying disease. Other symptoms that may accompany it are:

• Irritation
• Itching
• Painful intercourse
• Burning
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Loss of libido

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

How is Vaginal Dryness Treated:

Vaginal dryness is a very uncomfortable condition and may hamper sex life. But this condition can be treated by changes in lifestyle, counselling, certain medicine and home remedies.

The following approaches are considered in its management.

1. First of all removals and treatment of the underlying cause is considered.
   In the case of low estrogen level doctor may prescribe vaginal estrogen creams, ring or tablet to relieve vaginal dryness.
2. Avoid debouching, scented lotions and soaps as they may worsen your situation.
3. Drink lots of water.
4. Give more time to foreplay.
5. Practice meditation, yoga and breathing exercises to reduce stress.
6. In the case of problems in the marriage, you and your partner may approach a counselor.
   Apart from the above approaches below are few natural home remedies to treat vaginal dryness;

Natural Home Remedies to Treat Vaginal Dryness

There are a number of alternative treatments of vaginal dryness. The doctor may recommend may recommend estrogen-based, therapies which may include vaginal inserts in the form of a ring, pellet or creams, a skin patch that releases estrogen or oral medications.

In comparison to them, natural home remedies for the treatment of vaginal dryness are more effective, safe, easy to apply, easily available and inexpensive.

Below a some effective home remedies for the treatment of vaginal dryness:

1. Aloe Vera-

   Extract aloe Vera gel from fresh aloe Vera plant and mix it with the milk. This mixture is very effective in the treatment vaginal dryness. You can also apply aloe Vera gel to the affected area to relief yourself from vaginal dryness. Consuming a glass of aloe Vera juice may also help to enhance natural lubrication.

2. Coconut Oil- The rich texture and soothing property of coconut oil make it useful to treat vaginal dryness. Coconut oil moisturizes the vaginal area and helps vagina to retain its moisture. A woman suffering from vaginal dryness may apply coconut oil to the vaginal area before having sex to stay lubricated throughout the action. This prevents them from the pain during the intercourse due to insufficient lubrication. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties and is effective in the treatment of vaginal dryness caused due to bacterial infection. Consuming coconut oil also is beneficial to enhance lubrication.
3. Flaxseeds- Flax seeds contain plant estrogen. Also, it promotes lubrication. Eat flaxseed daily or use flaxseed oil to treat vaginal dryness.
4. Black cohosh tea- Take a black cohosh powder and add it to the steaming water. Steep it for some time and then strain it. Drink this tea regularly once a day to treat vaginal dryness.
5. Chasteberry- It is known to normalize the level of sexual hormones. It is also effective to vaginal dryness and other menopausal symptoms. You may consume it in capsule form or liquid extract.
6. Kiwi wine extract- It is a natural lubricant and moisturizer. It does not destroy the pH balance and vaginal flora and provides a soothing effect.
7. Consume comfrey- It enhances lubrication and soothes the vagina. Comfrey gel and ointments are also useful to combat this problem.
8. Salmon and tuna fish- They contain omega- fatty acid that increases the level of estrogen hormone and treats vaginal dryness.
9. Vitamin E suppositories- It is easily available over the counter. It stimulates the mucus of vulva and vagina and moisture it along with preventing infections. 

Besides, above home remedies consume lots of fruits. Nut, Soy and seeds such as pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. Eat food rich in iron, vitamin E and B complex essential fatty acids and minerals, Practice Kegel exercises daily to strengthen the vaginal muscles and to treat vaginal dryness.

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