What Causes Vaginal Dryness

Pensive older woman sits on couch with laptop, looking out the window.

When vaginal dryness strikes, it can make you feel unlike yourself – discomfort, painful sex, and embarrassment can weigh you down, leaving you feeling isolated. But there’s something important to understand - you’re not alone, and there are options available. Vaginal dryness affects many women and can occur for several reasons, but there are ways to replenish vaginal moisture and get back to feeling like yourself. Replens™ is here to empower you with knowledge about vaginal so that you can rediscover the healthier, happier you.

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness occurs when there is a decline in estrogen, affecting the amount or consistency of vaginal moisture. Normally, the vaginal walls are coated with a thin layer of moisture. During sexual arousal, increased blood flow to the vagina results in more lubricating vaginal fluid production. There are, however, other causes of vaginal dryness that you may not know about.

Common Causes of Vaginal Dryness

  • Menopause

    Menopause is a natural transition that occurs as women leave their childbearing years. As early as our mid-30s, estrogen levels can begin to decline. As mentioned above, this decline in estrogen can lead to vaginal dryness, as well as other common symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. Unfortunately, lower estrogen levels remain post-menopause and vaginal dryness continues and tends to worsen over time.

  • Cancer Treatment

    Breast cancer treatment can bring quite a few unwanted side effects. While you may be familiar with the more common ones, like fatigue and hair loss, women tend not to talk about others like vaginal dryness. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and ovarian shutdown or removal can all lead to vaginal dryness because they cause premature menopause-like symptoms.

  • Diabetes

    The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 Diabetes, which is defined by the American Diabetes Association as a “problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal”. This may be due to functional vascular changes, neuropathy, or tissue glycosylation related to diabetes and side effects from diabetic medications.

    • While menopause, cancer treatment, and diabetes can be causes of vaginal dryness, they are not the only ones. Additional causes of vaginal dryness include:

    • Breast-feeding
    • Childbirth
    • Tampon Use
    • Certain Medications
    • Stress

How Do You Fix Dryness Down There?

To address dryness down there, consider using lubricants and vaginal moisturizers. A lubricant, like Replens™ Silky Smooth, can be used before sex to help enhance intimacy in cases of vaginal dryness. Replens™ Silky Smooth supplements the body’s natural lubrication and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Replens™ Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer offers quick relief from dryness symptoms and helps restore vaginal moisture. It’s estrogen-free, making it a great alternative to hormone treatments for vaginal dryness. Thanks to its bio-adhesive formula, it sticks to dry, compacted cells, ensuring continuous moisture until these cells naturally regenerate. This helps vaginal tissues absorb moisture effectively, leaving them hydrated and rejuvenated.

Now that you understand the causes of vaginal dryness and the available solutions, it’s time to take action! Remember, you are not alone, and you don’t have to live with the discomfort. With Replens™ products, you can get back to feeling like yourself!

Vibrant Voice Ambassador at Replens
The Vibrant Voice Ambassador’s mission is to collect interesting stories and useful articles that are relevant for mature women.  Our goal is to help you maintain an active lifestyle - to Fifty and Beyond!
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