What to Do About Vaginal Dryness

One of the most evident changes to the vagina women notice with aging is vaginal dryness. Most of the time, vaginal dryness is linked to changes in estrogen, the hormone responsible for keeping your vagina lubricated and moist.

Vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable — even painful. It can happen at any age, but it’s most common to experience vaginal dryness as you age and go through perimenopause and menopause.  

The compassionate providers at Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare understand the struggles vaginal dryness can cause, and we’re here to help. At our offices in Fayetteville, Newnan, and Stockbridge, Georgia, we provide expert gynecological care for many conditions, including vaginal dryness. 

What’s causing my vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is one of the most common changes experienced by aging women. For most women, vaginal dryness usually becomes an issue when they experience a decline in estrogen levels. These declines occur most frequently:

• During perimenopause
• In menopause (including induced menopause)
• As a result of certain illnesses or diseases, such as breast cancer
• After pregnancy 

Products that disrupt the natural balance of your vagina, such as soaps, lotions, and creams, can also cause dryness as well as other symptoms, such as burning, soreness, and itching. Vaginal dryness may also result from exposure to the chemical nonoxynol-9, often used as a spermicide in condoms.  

Many women are embarrassed to bring up vaginal dryness with their provider. But if you’ve noticed this change, you’re not alone. Most women experience this problem, and talking about it with your provider can help you overcome it. 

At Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare, your provider will listen to your symptoms, check your medical history and lab work, and complete a physical exam to recommend a treatment plan that meets your specific needs.  

What can I do about vaginal dryness? 

The right treatment for vaginal dryness depends on your symptoms and how they affect you. 

Over-the-counter options

Your provider will discuss the different options available and ask about whether you’ve tried any over-the-counter or home remedies. 

Over-the-counter lubricants and vaginal moisturizers can provide some relief for vaginal dryness, and, for some women, these methods are enough. Be sure to use lubricants every time you have sex, and apply vaginal moisturizers every 2-3 days to help keep your vagina lubricated and moist. 

Laser therapy for vaginal dryness

For longer-lasting results, your Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare provider may recommend nonsurgical, nonhormonal laser therapy. We’re pleased to offer MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy to patients who struggle with issues related to their vaginal tissue health. MonaLisa Touch is a minimally invasive treatment designed to restore vaginal lubrication. 

It works by gently heating the tissues of the vagina. The heat triggers your body’s production of collagen. The added collagen then helps strengthen the tissues in your vagina, helps improve tone, and helps your cells create lubrication. 

This painless treatment only takes minutes, but the increased collagen production will continue for several months. Most patients see benefits from three sessions spaced six weeks apart, but your Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare provider will customize your plan for your needs.    

To learn more about your treatment options for vaginal dryness, book an appointment online or over the phone with Southern Crescent Women’s HealthCare today.