How to Solve Vaginal Dryness Symptoms

Vaginal Dryness Symptoms, Treatments and Causes 

Too many women put up with the pain and irritation of vaginal dryness because they think it’s just part of life. Wrong. There are many causes of vaginal dryness, but there are just as many treatment options. Many easy, painless solutions can provide immediate, long-term relief from vaginal health issues. 

What is Vaginal Dryness? 

Vaginal dryness is a lack of natural lubrication that is usually produced by the lining of the vaginal canal. Vaginal dryness can cause daily irritation, painful intercourse and urinary incontinence and a loss of sexual confidence. Women often don’t discuss vaginal dryness with their healthcare providers because they think it’s an inevitable part of aging, or they have misidentified the symptoms as a UTI or a yeast infection.

Vaginal Dryness Symptoms 

Vaginal dryness symptoms can take many forms, including:  

• Painful intercourse 
• White or yellow vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor 
• Soreness and redness in the vaginal area 
• Bleeding after sex 
• Vaginal burning 
• Itchiness and sensitivity in the vaginal skin 
• Urinary incontinence 
• Recurring urinary tract infections 

Symptoms of vaginal dryness can reflect a lack of elasticity, thinning vaginal walls and other accompanying vaginal health issues stemming from hormonal imbalances. However, vaginal dryness also can be an indicator of a hormonal imbalance or an illness that should be taken seriously and treated quickly.  

What Causes Vaginal Dryness? 

Women of any age and at any stage of life can experience vaginal dryness. A common culprit is a drop in estrogen production or a hormonal imbalance. Estrogen triggers the renewal of vaginal wall tissues and lining to keep the vaginal canal strong, elastic and lubricated. A drop in estrogen causes vaginal walls to thin and become dry, leaving the vagina more vulnerable to abrasion, injury and pain. That is why vaginal dryness accompanies many issues that cause a decrease in estrogen production, including: 

• Menopause   
• Peri-menopause 
• Hysterectomy 
• Removal of the ovaries 
• Breastfeeding 
• Postpartum hormonal imbalance 
• Immune disorders 
• Aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer treatment 
• Radiation therapy 
• Chemotherapy  

Vaginal atrophy can also cause vaginal dryness. Vaginal atrophy leads to vaginal irritation, a risk of vaginal injury, painful intercourse, increased occurrence of vaginal infections and vaginal pain. 

Vaginal Dryness Treatments 

Depending on a woman’s specific vaginal dryness symptoms, there are a wide variety of treatments available. For women who are experiencing irritation or painful intercourse, a high-quality vaginal lubricant can be an easy first step to alleviating symptoms and providing everyday comfort.  

For vaginal dryness caused by hormonal imbalances, hormonal treatment options include replacing estrogen through topical creams, vaginal rings or oral supplements. Some women can’t use hormone therapy because of medical conditions and health risks, so talk to your provider about the safety of hormonal therapies based on your needs and your health history.    

DHEA treatment may also be an option. DHEA is converted to hormones, including estrogen, by the body. DHEA therapy is not a hormonal therapy, but it is still not recommended for women who cannot use hormone therapies. 

Treating Vaginal Dryness with diVa® 

diVa® vaginal laser rejuvenation is a painless vaginal laser therapy that a provider performs in the office. diVa® works to stimulate new cell growth in the vaginal lining and the deeper layers of the vaginal walls using a single treatment with dual-laser technology. New surface cells increase production of natural lubrication, while the deeper tissue layers are triggered to regenerate collagen to build a stronger, better-supported vaginal canal, improving vaginal dryness and overall vaginal function and health. It takes only a few minutes to treat the length of the vaginal canal, and there is no recovery or downtime. You will receive custom care instructions for recovery. 

Don’t let vaginal dryness disrupt your daily life and impact your intimate relationships. Call to schedule your consultation with the expert team at the Coyle Institute. We can determine the cause of your vaginal dryness and develop a treatment program that will provide relief and restore your vaginal health.