For many women, menopause doesn’t arrive all at once. You might notice a few changes that feel confusing but might feel easy to overlook at first. A little dryness here or a little discomfort and pain there, and it might not feel very concerning at first. However, these changes can quickly start affecting your overall well-being, everyday confidence and intimacy as well.
But there’s still hope. Almost all of these symptoms have a common cause and are quite treatable. Understanding what’s happening inside your body and why it’s happening is the first step toward making sense of these changes and taking appropriate action to manage them. Here’s what your doctor wants you to understand about your vaginal health.
Vaginal Itching Is Quite Common
A sudden, hard-to-ignore itch down there can come out of nowhere and is probably one of the most uncomfortable surprises that come with menopause.
As estrogen drops, the vaginal lining begins to thin, leading to more frequent dryness and sensitivity. As a result, some people may develop an intermittent or even a permanent itch around the vaginal opening. This can worsen with friction, aggressive wiping, or even just tight clothing.
However, itching doesn’t just happen due to hormonal changes. It can also happen due to infections and the use of irritants like soaps and scented products. That’s why you should get it checked to rule out any other causes and get proper treatment.
Some people turn to solution providers like Alloy Health to find relief. For instance, Alloy’s vaginal cream is formulated with bio identical hormones to support vaginal comfort and address itching and burning.
Vaginal Discharge
One of the first things people notice in menopause isn’t hot flashes or mood swings; it’s that things don’t feel the same down there. Vaginal discharge may feel lighter than usual, less frequent or there might be some changes in texture. This is quite normal in menopause but it might feel concerning to some.
This happens due to declining hormonal levels which change the vaginal pH. However, if you notice a strong odor, color changes, such as green or yellow colored discharge, or an increase in vaginal discharge, it might indicate an infection down there. In that case, it’s essential that you schedule an appointment with your physician to rule out any serious conditions.
Get Help If You Notice Postmenopausal Bleeding
You have gone a year or so without experiencing a period, so seeing blood down there or even just noticing spotting can feel a little confusing. Postmenopausal bleeding requires immediate attention as this isn’t normal.
While it can happen due to vaginal dryness or irritation, it can also occur due to some serious damage to the uterus. This requires early evaluation as there’s no way to tell the difference just by looking at it. Uterine fibroids or infections warrant a trip to your physician and need to be treated as soon as possible.
They will probably recommend a pelvic exam, ultrasound or endometrial biopsy to get to the root of the problem and rule out any serious conditions. For women in Wisconsin, an OBGYN in Madison can assess postmenopausal bleeding and determine which tests or treatment may be appropriate.
Early examination can lead to proper treatment of the underlying issue and give you peace of mind.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
If you thought your symptoms didn’t have a name, they actually do. It’s called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and this condition is caused by declining levels of estrogen. Around 65% of women experience GSM symptoms within the first year of menopause.
Estrogen is responsible for keeping the vaginal and urinary lining thick, healthy, elastic and lubricated. But in menopause, these tissues can become thin, dry and easily irritated.
As a result, you may experience the following:
- Reduced lubrication in the vagina
- Urinary urgency
- Stress incontinence
- Recurring UTIs
- Pain during intercourse
- Burning and itching in the vagina
How to Keep Things Under Control
Now that we have discussed the challenges menopausal women face, it’s time to do a deep dive into what actually helps.
Here, we have compiled a list of solutions that can help alleviate vaginal dryness and irritation, improving sexual and physical health.
Topical Estrogen Supplements Are a Good Option
Declining estrogen levels are the culprit behind menopause-related vaginal health issues so it only makes sense to treat these concerns with the right product. Topical estrogen products like estradiol vaginal creams can help supplement your intimate area with bio-identical hormones to alleviate genitourinary symptoms like itching, burning, pain and UTIs.
Vaginal Moisturizers or Lubricants Are Your Best Friends
We just discussed estradiol creams as your saviors so why are we talking about moisturizers again? Well, because they’re different in many ways.
The main difference is that vaginal moisturizers are non-hormonal products that relieve vaginal irritation and dryness by helping the tissues retain moisture. Most formulations contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E to soothe the vaginal lining. It’s recommended to use these moisturizers on a regular basis to alleviate dryness and burning sensations.
Vaginal lubricants on the other hand are only used during sexual activity. They work by reducing friction and lubricating the vaginal walls, making intercourse more comfortable. They can be either water-based, oil-based or even silicone-based and each type has its own pros and cons.
Moisturizers and lubricants both serve different purposes and should be used according to your needs.
Kegel Exercises Help (A Lot)
Some workouts don’t require a gym membership and Kegels are one of them!
Kegel exercises can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, improve bladder control and make intimacy more enjoyable and satisfying. What’s not to love here?
So how can you do Kegels and when’s the right time to do it?
Well, you can do it right now; there’s no equipment needed!
Start by emptying your bladder and then finding a comfortable position to be in. You can either stand up straight, lie down or even do these while you’re seated.
Next, squeeze your pelvic floor muscles like you’re trying to stop the flow of urine midstream and hold this position for 5 seconds at least. After the 5-second count, relax and release your muscles for 5 seconds. Repeat this process 10 times to complete one set.
These exercises can help you with stress incontinence and vaginal prolapse (this happens when pelvic organs slip out of place).
Menopause brings a lot of changes to one’s vaginal and even urinary health, from itching and dryness to pain and sometimes even bleeding. These symptoms can feel concerning to many, but they all point to the same causes, which is declining estrogen levels. The takeaway here is that you don’t have to endure these symptoms silently. You can reach out to your physician or sexual wellness counselor to seek appropriate treatment for each of these symptoms. Medical guidance and treatment options like estradiol vaginal creams, Kegel exercises and counseling can all help you manage menopause-related vaginal symptoms more effectively.
