Four Causes of Vaginal Dryness That You Didn’t Know About

Vaginal dryness is often associated with menopause, when your production of estrogen slows down, causing the vaginal walls to thin. This means there are fewer cells available to provide moisture and lubrication. 

However, vaginal dryness can affect women who are still in their childbearing years. A lack of lubrication can be a problem for women of all ages.

We here at Orange Coast Dermatology understand the uncomfortable itch and burning that vaginal dryness creates and the impact it has on your sex life, especially when intercourse becomes painful. We offer V-lase® noninvasive laser treatments to help ease the discomfort of vaginal wall thinning and lack of lubrication. 

Here are four reasons why you might be experiencing vaginal dryness and how V-lase can help.

Changes in your hormones

Estrogen is a female sex hormone that is largely responsible for vaginal health. It plays an important role in creating the thin liquid that coats your vaginal walls. When you have a drop in estrogen, the body creates less fluid, leading to chronic dryness.

Menopause causes a drop in your estrogen levels, but so can other circumstances. You may experience changes in  your estrogen levels during pregnancy, breastfeeding, cancer treatments, or after surgery to remove the ovaries. 

Medications and vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can be a side effect caused by certain medications, including antihistamines. These drugs are often included in cold and sinus medications and allergy-reducers. Antihistamines are also present in some asthma medications. 

Antihistamines have a drying effect on the body, including your vagina.

Some types of antidepressants, most often those that impact levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, like selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also contribute to vaginal dryness. Anti-estrogen medications, such as those used to treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis, may also interfere with your body’s ability to self-lubricate.

Beauty products and your vagina

When you expose your vagina to harsh chemicals, it can become irritated and dry out. These chemicals are present in the soap you use to wash your body to the detergent in which you launder your towels.

Feminine hygiene products, lubricants, some sex toy materials, and douches all interfere with your vagina’s natural ability to stay moist and healthy.

Lack of arousal

Foreplay is essential to a positive sexual experience. Some women, especially when they’re older than 30, require a little bit more time to get aroused for intercourse. 

Increasing the length of foreplay to 20 minutes shows a vast improvement in how many women respond and the vagina naturally lubricates, even when they regularly struggle with vaginal dryness.

It’s also possible that arousal doesn’t occur because of psychological factors. A woman might feel pressure to have sex or be under undue stress outside of the bedroom. 

A solution for vaginal dryness

Regardless of the reasons behind your vaginal dryness, we are here to help you find comfort again. The dermatological team offers vaginal revitalization that can help bring back your comfort and confidence. 

V-lase uses laser energy to stimulate your body’s production of collagen, a tissue-strengthening protein, to create more resilient vaginal tissue. It also stimulates fibroblast activity without ablative or excessive thermal damage. This outpatient treatment is safe and requires no downtime. 

Call Orange Coast Dermatology today, or use the online booking agent to schedule an appointment to learn more about how we can help with vaginal revitalization and lubrication.