Dealing with Vulvovaginal Atrophy without Hormones

But here I am. My skin and hair are dry. I sleep poorly. I have night sweats. I forget things. And I have vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

 Eliminating Sandpaper Sex with Laser Treatments

Whether you choose a local vaginal estrogen, Osphena (ospemifene) tablets, or vaginal laser treatment, there is no reason to grit your teeth and endure painful sex — or avoid sex altogether. Mona Lisa should not be the only one smiling.

 Help for Vaginal Dryness

If you have dealt with a cranky vagina, DHEA is worth considering. However, I highly encourage you to do your own research! Talk to your doctor. (Some doctors may not be aware of this research, so take the studies to them.)

 The FDA Wants to Remind You That It Has Not Approved Any Devices for 'Vaginal Rejuvenation'

Although CO2 lasers aren’t FDA approved or cleared for treating vulvovaginal atrophy, Dr. Streicher points to the existing research as evidence that there is some benefit for women who are struggling with the condition.

 The Horrifying Day I Learned Vaginas Can Seal SHUT From Lack Of Use

Over time, the muscles will actually atrophy and cease working as they should. Continued sexual activity can reduce the decline, keeping those muscles engaged and active. But if you aren't having sex when this is going on, sex in the future can become very uncomfortable, at best, and nearly impossible in some cases.

 Treating the Incredible Shrinking Vagina

There is no reason to suffer with G.S.M. If your doctor is not responsive to your concerns, you can find a provider who knows more about G.S.M. via N.A.M.S.

 What if the Shop is Closing on Penetration

You say that penetration is becoming increasingly difficult, although you’re using lubricants. This is normal progression: In the absence of estrogen due to menopause, our genitals atrophy. The vulva and vagina get smaller, the vagina narrows, there’s a significant loss of volume of the genital tissues, including the clitoris.

Barriers to Entry: The Economics of Midlife Sex

Couldn’t afford sex? Sex is one of the few pleasures in life that’s free! That’s like saying you couldn’t afford to go for a walk, or give your partner a nice massage. And for some people, that’s true. But shame on me, I had never really considered the cost of the products that for some people, don’t just makes intercourse pleasurable, but make it possible.

Can I Prevent Vaginal Dryness? 3 Things to Know

While I first started with learning about the physiological symptoms of dryness, I became quickly aware that the issues with vaginal dryness are emotional, psychological, and, of course, extend to relationships. Here are my 3 key learnings about vaginal dryness...

Do You Know About Vaginal Atrophy?

Help me break the taboo and open up the conversation about Vaginal Atrophy. It is up to us to speak out and make sure that woman are educated, empowered and determined to get the help they need and deserve.

Enjoy Sex Again: Resolving Vaginal Dryness and Tenderness

To help Karen get her sex life back on track—and to help her feel better in general—I first laid out her options for lubrication. She’d made a good choice in the past by opting for coconut oil, but the coconut oil wasn’t enough to prevent the vaginal and vulvar atrophy and didn’t provide lasting moisture. I let her know that other organic lubricants—such as Aloe Cadabra, which mimics a woman’s natural lubrication—can aid in moisturizing as well.

Is It More than Dryness? Know the Symptoms of Menopause You Can’t Ignore

So many women are suffering with VA, yet do not realize it because they are unaware of the symptoms. Women do not realize this is a condition that is easily treated. Many women try non-hormonal treatment options to help with the dryness, but it may not treat the estrogen deficiency, the root of the problem.

Let’s talk about Vaginal Atrophy

We are a purely puritanical society and sometimes people look at me funny when I talk about vaginas. But VA as an aspect of menopause is extremely important. Although the prevalence of VA is high, only 25 percent of sufferers seek medical help. Many women aren’t even aware that it’s a treatable condition.

Let’s Talk about Vaginal Atrophy.

And then, over the next few years, my vagina shrank. The very tunnel that expelled three full-size babies and into which I could place, unknowingly, numerous objects began to lose its supple qualities. It started to become a much less accommodating space, though its shop vac function remained securely intact.

Managing postmenopausal vaginal atrophy

Vaginal dryness is one of the most irritating symptoms of menopause. Here are some ways to relieve it. Within a few years of menopause, roughly 50% of women develop symptoms related to vaginal atrophy, also called atrophic vaginitis — the deterioration of vaginal tissues due to loss of estrogen.

Rethinking the Use of Hormones to Ease Menopause Symptoms

Ever since the large government study called the Women’s Health Initiative found a number of risks associated with menopause hormones, millions of women who are in or near menopause have been weathering hot flashes and other symptoms on their own. But now, new research suggests that the benefits of short-term hormone treatment to control life-disrupting menopausal symptoms outweigh the risks — as long as the treatment is started at or near menopause.

Sandpaper Sex, Despite the Lubricant

It would be nice if lubricants always solved the problem, but sometimes the ravages of menopause make the vaginal walls so thin and dry, the only way to reverse the vaginal clock and make intercourse comfortable is estrogen. I know … estrogen. Everyone thinks breast cancer, blood clots, bad stuff. And if you weren’t thinking that, you will when you read the FDA-required package insert.

Treatment of vaginal atrophy with estriol and lactobacilli combination: a clinical review

Based on recent scientific evidence and current treatment guidelines, the 0.03 mg-E3/L combination could be considered one of the options for the treatment of symptomatic vaginal atrophy in aging menopausal women.

Use It or Lose It: Fact or Fiction About Vaginal Lubrication?

When it comes to vaginal elasticity and lubrication, a number of factors besides estrogen and age have a role. Certain medications have a negative impact, for example, and women who’ve never had a vaginal delivery are more likely to have vaginal tissue that becomes dry. Other contributors to a lack of lubrication are inadequate blood flow to the vaginal walls due to the normal aging process, a medical problem such as diabetes, and cancer treatment. Another factor beside age, medical problems, and luck is the value of regular use.

Vaginal Atrophy – Do You Have It?

Vaginal atrophy is one of the easier symptoms of menopause to treat that carries the least amount of risk.

Vaginal Atrophy: The 21st Century Health Issue Affecting Quality of Life

Vaginal dryness and atrophy is a silent epidemic that affects many women who are undoubtedly suffering in silence. This chronic and progressive medical condition has been estimated to affect up to 50%-60% of postmenopausal women; some healthcare providers believe this estimate is lower than the actual incidence.

Vaginal Estrogen for Women with Breast Cancer?

Most breast surgeons and oncologists are now comfortable allowing women with breast cancer to use vaginal estrogen. Ultimately, you need to do what you are comfortable with, but if you do decide to use vaginal estrogen, it should ease your anxiety a lot knowing not only most gynecologists, but also ACOG is now firmly on board.

Vagisil’s New Commercial About Dry Vaginas Is Something Else

On the plus side, it’s nice to see an ad for a vaginal product directly addressing the organ onto which the product is applied instead of leaning on images of women euphemistically leaping about in flowing scarves. A frank discussion about dry sex as painful sex (one of the women graphically describes her vagina as “like sandpaper”) is a good thing.

What the Heck Is: Vaginal Atrophy

I recently visited my gynecologist complaining of painful intercourse. “Oh,” she said peering through my parted knees, “that’s because you have vaginal atrophy.” Whereupon we just blinked at each other.