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Don't Put Up With Vaginal Dryness! This is How to Treat it
Vulvar and vaginal dryness are a common, yet ‘silent’ problem because many women feel embarrassed to talk about it with their partners, friends and even doctors. It can have a really negative impact on quality of life, yet only 25% of women seek help to manage their symptoms. Shop Intimate Care Feminine Moisturizer What is a Natural Remedy for Dry Down There? We’re here to change that and that’s why we’re so excited to share news about More Than Lip Service. You moisturize the rest of your body so why not your vulva and vagina? Our moisturizer helps to treat the symptoms associated with vulvar & vaginal dryness, allowing you to embrace life again. Made with a combination of hyaluronic acid (which your body produces naturally) plus vitamin E and other beneficial ingredients, More Than Lip Service gives you fast, long-lasting & hormone-free relief from the burning, itching & pain associated with vaginal atrophy, vulvar and vaginal dryness. Unlike those other lubricants that just slip right out, ours not only immediately alleviates dryness symptoms but also lasts so long, you may not even need to use it every day. Why Am I Dry Down There All of a Sudden? Over half of women aged between 51 and 60 experience vulvar & vaginal dryness, leading to pain, irritation and burning. While it’s more common in older women, younger women aren’t immune. Around 17% of women aged 18-50 experience issues, even before menopause. The hormonal changes associated with aging—in general, a decline in estrogen levels—is the main cause, but feminine sprays and harsh soaps, swimming pool & hot tub chemicals, detergents, and some medications can also lead to vaginal dryness. It may also be problematic during sexual intercourse, resulting in pain along with intimacy issues. What Causes Vaginal Dryness? A normal, healthy vagina: Is kept supple and moist with natural lubrication produced by glands at the neck of the womb (the cervix). This moisture makes its way slowly down through the vagina, keeping it clean and removing dead cells. The moisture is slightly acidic, helping to keep the area, including the vulva and the labia healthy, preventing infections like thrush. Most women may notice a slight white vaginal discharge – this is perfectly normal. The Bartholin’s glands (two glands at the entrance of the vagina) produce extra moisture to aid sexual intercourse when a woman is aroused. However, a quarter of women aged 50-59 experience vaginal dryness problems during sex and 16% experience pain. In addition to the natural lubrication that makes its way down through the vagina, there’s also a thin layer of moisture that coats the walls of the vagina. This moisture helps sperm travel and survive in for sexual reproduction. It also helps to reduce friction during sexual intercourse. As a woman gets older, a decline in estrogen production can cause the vaginal walls to thin, resulting in fewer cells that secrete moisture. Apart from age, vulvar and/or vaginal dryness may be associated with: Breastfeeding Cigarette smoking Depression Excessive stress Immune system disorders, such as Sjögren syndrome Childbirth Rigorous exercise Some cancer treatments, such as radiation to the pelvis, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy Surgical removal of the ovaries Some medications, including douching, as well as some creams and lotions that are applied to the vaginal area. Can Dehydration Cause Dryness Down There? If you’re not drinking enough water, then your skin—anywhere on your body—is prone to dryness. Dehydration can take a on your vaginal health, leaving the skin feeling itchy and dry. It can also throw off the pH balance, possibly contributing to conditions including yeast infections. Make sure that you’re drinking enough water (most experts recommend somewhere between 6-10, 8 oz glasses a day. Tea, coffee, fruits and vegetables all count towards this and you may need more depending on your level of activity and personal needs. What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness? How Long Does Vaginal Dryness Last? Vulvar & vaginal dryness cause discomfort in the vaginal and pelvic regions along including: Burning Loss of interest in sex Painful sexual intercourse Light bleeding following intercourse Soreness Urinary tract infections (UTIs) that don’t go away or that reoccur Vaginal itching or stinging Beyond painful intercourse, untreated vaginal dryness can cause sores or cracking in the vagina’s tissues. See your doctor if you experience the following: Vaginal dryness that lasts for more than a few weeks and and that isn’t fixable with over the counter solutions (see below) Vaginal dryness is affecting your daily life You experience unusual discharge or bleeding from your vagina You have bleeding after sex or in between your periods If severe vaginal bleeding occurs, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. How Do You Get Rid of Dryness Down There? Although it can throw havoc with your day to day activities, vulvar & vaginal dryness aren’t life threatening. Thankfully, treatments are available. 1. What is the best lube for menopause? Similar to natural lubrication, lubricants provide temporary relief from dryness and discomfort. Lubricants may be used at any time and aren’t just reserved for perimenopause or menopause. They should be applied to the area around the vulva (lips) and vagina just before sexual intercourse. 2. What is good for vaginal dryness? (Hint: Moisturizers!) Longer lasting than lubricants, moisturizers like More Than Lip Service are designed to be used two to three times a week. They may be used externally or used internally and their effect lasts for days. They’re a great option for women who can’t—or don’t want to—use hormonal options. 3. Do estrogen pills help with dryness? Estrogen pills are a hormonal option available by prescription to help manage vaginal dryness. Creams, gels, patches and rings are also available to give you a range of products to choose from. Supplementing with estrogen can help to manage a range of perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms that women may encounter, including not only, vaginal dryness, but also hot flashes and brain fog. If you feel that you’d benefit from going this route, check in with your physician who’ll be able to help you navigate the choices to find one that works for you. If your main concern though, is vaginal dryness, studies have shown that vaginal moisturizers made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E (like More Than Lip Service) are comparable in efficacy to hormonal treatments and without the risk of side effects. (1,2,3) Check with your health care provider if you aren’t sure about your options. (1) Jokar A, Davari T, Asadi N, Ahmadi F, Foruhari S. Comparison of the Hyaluronic Acid Vaginal Cream and Conjugated Estrogen Used in Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy of Menopause Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2016 Jan;4(1):69-78. PMID: 26793732; PMCID: PMC4709811. (2) Stute, Petra. Is vaginal hyaluronic acid as effective as vaginal estriol for vaginal dryness relief? Multicenter Study Arch Gynecol Obstet . 2013 Dec;288(6):1199-201. (3) Chen J, Geng L, Song X, Li H, Giordan N, Liao Q. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid vaginal gel to ease vaginal dryness: a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group, clinical trial. J Sex Med. 2013 Jun;10(6):1575-84. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12125. Epub 2013 Apr 9. PMID: 23574713.
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How To Fix Menopause Dryness With These Proven Solutions
The bad news—menopause dryness is an inevitable change for women as they age. The main reason for this is due to a drop in hormone levels, primarily estrogen, which leads to some noticeable changes to your skin and hair. The good news? Menopause dryness in all your body’s places is manageable and we’ve got you covered. Read on for all the ways to help turn your skin around. More Than Lip Service is a vaginal and vulvar moisturizer that alleviates the symptoms of dryness down there that occurs in more than 50% of women. Shop Intimate Care Feminine Moisturizer Does Menopause Dryness Go Away? Sadly, the hormonal changes that occur at menopause are permanent. During the lead-up to menopause—perimenopause—and at menopause, your body makes less estrogen, the hormone responsible for maintaining the elasticity, thickness, and suppleness of your skin. And while you may notice drier skin and hair, less obvious places on your whole body, including your neck, back, and chest, to elbows, legs, genitals — even nails, may be affected too. The inside of your mouth, nose, and eyes get drier as you age, as well. You might not think of them as skin, but just like the tissues inside your genitals–they’re called “mucosa,”–hormonal changes impact these as well, leaving you with itchy eye pain, cotton mouth, and that awful sandy feeling in your vagina. Thankfully there are many ways to help you, and your skin, feel better again. What Helps with Dry Skin During Menopause We’ve written about treating dry skin before and many of the tips outlined in these posts and our free guide, can help: Here’s How to Treat Dry Skin as You Get Older Make This One Change to Relieve Dry Skin Make This One Change to Relieve Dry Skin 5 Tips to Help You Care for Your Menopause Skin And you can also download our free guide packed with 7 Powerful—and easy—Tips to Help Banish Dry Skin. Why Am I Dry Down There All of a Sudden? Beyond your skin, hair and nails, you may notice menopause dryness in some unexpected places. Like down there. Estrogen’s impact on your skin also extends to the mucosal tissue found in your vulva and vagina. Low levels of the hormone can lead to thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. Vaginal tissues become more easily irritated. This condition is called vaginal atrophy and can result in: Itching or stinging Burning and pain during sex or urination Light bleeding following intercourse An increased risk for developing urinary tract problems such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and frequent urination. There are other causes of vaginal dryness as well, including breastfeeding, some medications, and certain medical conditions. Read more about this here: Don’t Put Up With Vaginal Dryness | How to Treat it How do I Treat Vaginal Dryness? Without treatment, vaginal dryness usually worsens over time. And since treatments are available, it’s important to try them to help relieve your symptoms and discomfort. There are 3 main ways to address vaginal dryness: Lubricants Vaginal/Vulvar Moisturizers Hormone Treatments What works for you depends on a number of factors, including personal choice along with trying different products. Many women may start off by using a lubricant but then move to a moisturizer like More Than Lip Service for longer term relief. Hormonal treatments are an option for some women and a discussion with your trusted medical provider is always a good place to start. Can I Use Lube to Moisturize Menopause Dryness? Lubricants are designed to deliver added moisture to your vagina just before sex or pleasuring, but their results are only temporary. Moisturizers on the other hand, deliver longer lasting benefits, keeping your vagina and/or vulva moist all day. Although they work differently and provide different results, you can use lubricants along with moisturizers if that’s what works for you. Vaginal moisturizers like More Than Lip Service are one of the best ways to reduce vaginal and vulvar dryness for the delicate tissue in this part of your body. You can use it daily to begin with, then every few days to help keep the skin and tissues moist and to relieve vaginal dryness symptoms. The moisturizer can also be applied to the vulva to relieve dryness there. Apply before bed to help it maintain contact with tissues. Don’t use moisturizers not meant specifically for this part of your body. What is the Best Vaginal Moisturizer? More Than Lip Service Vulvar and Vaginal Moisturizer offers fast, hormone-relief for when you experience dryness down there. While there are many options to choose from, research has shown that a formulation made with hyaluronic acid (as found in our More Than Lip Service Vaginal Moisturizer), helps to relieve the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, reducing dryness and itching and improving urinary incontinence, comparable to treatment with estrogen therapy. The bonus? It comes without the potential for side effects using hormonal drugs. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2016 Jan; 4(1): 69–78. Comparison of the Hyaluronic Acid Vaginal Cream and Conjugated Estrogen Used in Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy of Menopause Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Azam Jokar, MS,1 Tayebe Davari, MS,2 Nasrin Asadi, MD,3 Fateme Ahmadi, MD,4 and Sedighe Foruhari, MS1 Vaginal moisturizers are also available in creams, suppositories and natural oils. The key is to find one that works for you. Menopause Dryness Natural Remedies Do a search on the internet and you’ll probably find several safe and effective ways to help alleviate menopause dryness. Use caution with where you’re finding the information as not everyone who gives advice is actually qualified to give this advice. Please always consult your doctor before trying out potentially harmful treatments. That said, there are number of things you can do to help manage dryness naturally: Diet. A diet high in essential fatty acids, found in foods like fish and nuts may help to improve vaginal elasticity and tissue strength. As well, soy contains plant estrogens, which may help to reduce vaginal dryness. Last, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Limit caffeine and alcohol, which are dehydrating. Exercise. May help to improve blood flow and balance hormone levels. Caution with Personal Care Products. Douches, scented soaps and harsh cleansers may irritate the area and increase dryness. Have More Sex. Studies have shown that sexual intercourse helps to increase blood flow to your vagina, helping to keep tissues health. Remember to use a lubricant to help eliminate dryness and make sex more pleasurable.
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Why a Vaginal Moisturizer May Be Important to Your Health
You may not be aware of it, but a vaginal moisturizer may be essential to your wellness if you’re navigating your way through perimenopause or menopause. We’ve written about vaginal dryness before – a condition that affects more than 50% of women over the age of 50. Vaginal dryness and its associated symptoms can have a significant negative impact on your quality of life. But, because it’s not talked about much, you may not even be aware of the symptoms caused by vaginal dryness. It’s still considered a hush-hush topic by many, but, we’re here to change that! Find out how to tell if a vaginal moisturizer can help you to manage your symptoms, feel better and embrace life again. Shop Intimate Care More Than Lip Service Vaginal Moisturizer is a hormone-free moisturizer that gives you fast, effective, hormone-free relief from vaginal dryness and its symptoms. Formulated by our pharmacist owner, it allows you to embrace life again! What Causes Vaginal Dryness? Vaginal dryness isn’t experienced by women in menopause only—it’s a condition that can be experienced by any women, at any point in her life. It’s usually associated with a drop in estrogen, the hormone that helps to keep vaginal and vulvar tissue healthy with lubrication, elasticity and the right acidic pH. You may experience a drop in estrogen for several reasons including: Breastfeeding Childbirth Cigarette smoking, or Menopause/perimenopause. Some medications like anti-estrogen pills, allergy and cold medicines, oral contraceptives and some anti-depressants can also cause estrogen levels to drop. Perfumed soaps and washes, douches and certain medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome and some immune disorders can also contribute to dryness. More Than Lip Service Vulvar and Vaginal Moisturizer offers fast, hormone-relief for when you experience dryness down there. Is Vaginal Dryness Normal? Here are the Symptoms Vaginal dryness can be quite uncomfortable, leading to soreness or itching in and around your vagina and vulva; pain or discomfort during sex; a more frequent need to pee. It can also lead to recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Last of all, it can have a serious impact on your desire to engage in sexual activity, which can impact your relationship. Unlike many menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness isn’t something that goes away. And that’s because physical changes in the vagina make it a long-lasting condition. While many women view it as part of aging and just put up with it, help is available. Make sure you get it if you need it. How Can I Increase My Natural Lubrication? Here’s How a Vaginal Moisturizer May Help Although so many women experience vaginal dryness, it’s thought that more than 90% don’t seek help to manage their symptoms, despite there being several ways to treat the condition. Your choice of treatment depends on your personal preference and what makes most sense for you: Vaginal Lubricant. This can help to reduce the discomfort that occurs during sexual activity when the vagina is dry. It works similarly to natural lubrication and helps to decrease friction during intercourse. A vaginal lubricant is designed to be used on an as needed basis. Vaginal Moisturizer. A moisturizer like our More Than Lip Service provides longer term relief than a lubricant and should be used regularly (several times a week) to keep the vulva and/or vagina moisturized. You can use it internally or externally, depending on your symptoms and need. Studies have shown that moisturizers containing a combination of hyaluronic acid and vitamin e (as in More Than Lip Service) provide as much relief as hormonal treatments, but without the potential for side effects associated with hormone use. Hormone Therapy. If you’re interested in exploring prescription options, your doctor can guide you through the choices available. You can choose from creams, rings, patches or pills. Don’t ignore vaginal dryness, especially if it’s interfering with your quality of life. Help is available so make sure you seek it out if you need it.
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