How dry I am ...
Funny how things are related. It’s like that with vaginal dryness, hormone imbalance, stress, lowered libido and all the other things that travel with perimenopause and menopause. For example, if your sex drive is low, your body won’t be physically prepared for sex, which can cause stress in a relationship; and, if you’re not physically prepared for sex, your sex drive will be lower, which can cause stress in a relationship. You see where this is going. It just makes sense to look at the one thing these issues have in common: hormones.
The Problem with Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a primary cause of low libido or sex drive in women and affects nearly 50% of all women between the ages of 40 and 59. Vagina dryness is uncomfortable, irritating and makes sex painful, causing women to avoid sex. This can cause problems in relationships and negatively impinges on overall mood and happiness.
Beyond the effect on low libido, vagina dryness can cause soreness, burning and itching that make even sitting, standing, exercising, or even urinating painful. Normal vaginal secretions are necessary for overall comfort and sexual health. These secretions also possess an acidic PH balance which helps fight off infection from bacteria, without the secretions, a women are at risk for yeast infections and urinary tract infections. Vaginal dryness is not an inevitable side effect of growing old; it is a side effect of poor hormone levels and poor diet. Women in their eighties and nineties can still enjoy a healthy sex life if their hormones are balanced and if they are eating properly.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
The hormone changes that define perimenopause and menopause are primarily responsible for vaginal dryness. Specifically, unbalanced estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels are to blame. Low estrogen and high progesterone results in the thinning and drying of the vaginal wall and diminished testosterone in woman reduces muscle tone in the vagina and lessens sexual sensitivity.
The rise and fall of progesterone and estrogen (the two PMS causing hormones Depression and stress can also result in lack of sexual arousal and hence, vaginal dryness. Stress, which is also a symptom of hormonal imbalance, can leave a woman so tense and on edge that the last thing on her mind is sex. Women actually need to think about sex for around 20 minutes for our bodies to fully respond and prepare.
The Solution
The natural hormone therapy offered by BodyLogicMD in instrumental in maintaining overall women’s sexual health. While perimenopause and menopause are main causes of hormone imbalance, poor nutrition and exercise are also a factor. Estrogen for example is produced from cholesterol, making certain fats necessary. For this reason, our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy physicians offer a program that not only brings hormonal balance, but also offers customized supplements, nutrition, and fitness guides to maintain this hormone harmony.
Contact the BodyLogicMD bioidentical hormone therapy physician nearest you to schedule an appointment and learn more about how hormone therapy can assist in the elimination of vaginal dryness.
