Perimenopausal Dry Vajayjay? Tips For a Happy Fanny
First of all, if you are reading this post because you're experiencing a dry vajayjay or other vaginal symptoms thanks to perimenopause, we're sorry, it’s just not fair! Please know too that you are far from alone in your experience.
There is hope!
There absolutely are things you can do to improve your symptoms (beware though, ignoring them will only make it much worse).
There are treatments out there that will improve things for you tenfold so take a deep breath and psych up to bring it up with your fave-y health professional (and even if they're not your fave, any one will do!).
Some Perspective about Perimenopausal Vaginal Symptoms
By the age of 60, 50% of women will have some experience of vaginal, bladder and/or pelvic floor symptoms.
By the age of 70, 75% of women will have had some experience of vaginal, bladder and pelvic floor symptoms.
So Why Oh WHY Do I Have a Dry Vagina in Perimenopause?
Less estrogen causes the tissues of the vulva and the lining of the vagina to become thinner, drier, and less elastic or flexible.
Usually you will experience symptoms later in the perimenopause transition and in menopause as estrogen levels start to drop.
In the medical field vaginal, bladder and pelvic floor symptoms are grouped together and called Genitourinary, Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).
Genitourinary, Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) symptoms include:
- Vaginal dryness and loss of lubrication
- Burning, pain, dryness, irritation, itching or fissuring in the vulva
- Pain or bleeding with sex
- Painful urination
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Bladder urgency and stress incontinence (peeing when you cough)
- Loss of libido, arousal, or orgasm
- Vaginal wall prolapse.
Ouch! It's rough xx
How Lower Estrogen Affects Your Vagina in Perimenopause
“During perimenopause, less estrogen may cause the tissues of the vulva and the lining of the vagina to become thinner, drier, and less elastic or flexible—a condition known as "vulvovaginal atrophy" (source: see references).
Vaginal secretions are reduced, resulting in decreased lubrication. Reduced levels of estrogen also result in an increase in vaginal pH, which makes the vagina less acidic, just as it was before puberty.
Illustration by Juliette Sweany
This illustration shows us the lining of the vagina before menopause (left) and after menopause (right). Before menopause, when the vagina is well supplied with estrogen, its lining is thicker and has more folds, allowing it to stretch with intercourse and childbirth. After menopause, when levels of estrogen are low, the vaginal lining is thinner and has fewer folds, which makes it less flexible.”1
How to Have a Happy Fanny In Perimenopause
Vaginal Estrogen
Speak to your health professional about GSM symptoms to rule out any other conditions.
If vaginal symptoms are due to hormone changes they might suggest vaginal estrogen which is the number one treatment for GSM symptoms. Two treatments available are Vagifem and Ovestin. These are natural bioidentical estrogens which will help dryness, low libido, recurrent bladder infections and prolapses. One of the side effects (not common) is thrush.
These treatements are considered to be very safe.
Have sex regularly
This probably feels counterintuitive but listen up:
“When a woman doesn’t have intercourse or other vaginal sexual activity on a regular basis following menopause, her vagina may also become shorter and narrower.
Then, when she does try to have intercourse, she is likely to experience pain, even if she uses a lubricant. That’s because dry, fragile vulvovaginal tissues are susceptible to injury, tearing, and bleeding during intercourse or any penetration of the vagina. The resulting discomfort can be so great that the woman avoids intercourse and the condition worsens. Sometimes, even women who are not sexually active are bothered by vaginal dryness and the irritation that may accompany it.
Continuing to have regular vaginal sexual activity through menopause helps keep the vaginal tissues thick and moist and maintains the vagina’s length and width. This helps keep sexual activity pleasurable.” (Reference 1)
Things YOU Can Do for a Happy Fanny in Perimenopause
Our top tips you can crack on with right now to help with a dry va-hoohoo:
- Don’t use wipes or any harsh soaps/washes on your vaj as they might affect the vaginal PH and microbiome.
- Don’t smoke - smoking lowers estrogen levels and is hideously bad for your vaginal microbiome.
- Do pelvic floor exercises to improve the strength of your pelvic floor.
- Overall a healthy nutrition-dense diet will help overall. Read here our top 10 foods to eat in perimenopause.
- Take a zinc supplement which will help repair tissue and improve integrity. Try 30mg daily straight after food.
- Try Lubricants for sexual intercourse. Make sure they don’t contain irritating alcohols or preservatives that will irritate you.
Dry Vajayjay Wrap-Up
Suffering from any of these symptoms truly deepy suck. You don't need to suffer through it in silence. Please don't.
Talk to your health professional about what’s going on so that they can provide treatments that are going make you feel so much better. Definitely look at our tips above too and see which ones you can adopt now to start getting things down there back on track.
Don’t be shy, it's a bit of an awkys subject but please know, you are not alone (and the doctor's just looking at you as a mechanic does a car).
Go on, have a happy fanny ;)
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References
Sources
Changes in the Vagina and Vulva, Sexual Side Effects of Menopause.
Hormone Repair Manual, Lara Briden ND