Vaginal dryness is more than a mild inconvenience. Often brought on by a drop in estrogen around menopause, vaginal dryness can raise your risk for infections, cause painful cracks and sores, and make intercourse painful and unappealing.
Emotional stress, douching, and allergy or cold medications can also contribute. An estimated 50% of postmenopausal women experience these issues and only about 10% seek treatment.
Anita Petruzzelli, MD, and her team at BodyLogicMD take sexual health seriously, offering effective treatments that can improve your wellness and quality of life. Understanding the cause and severity of vaginal dryness is important for ensuring your ideal treatment. By way of an exam, Dr. Petruzzelli may recommend one or more of the following options.
Quality lubricants and vaginal moisturizers improve vaginal tissue by moistening the area for several hours or as long as an entire day. While a water-based lubricant may help before intercourse, a vaginal moisturizer can be inserted most any time for ongoing comfort. Keep in mind that lubricants containing oils or petroleum jelly can damage diaphragms and latex condoms.
As part of our sexual wellness program for women, Dr. Petruzzelli may recommend a gel containing essential vitamins, which can be used as a lubricant and promotes collagen production for more vibrant tissue.
Going straight to intercourse after very little physical arousal or “warmup” activity can make sex uncomfortable, even without vaginal dryness. Take your time to ease into vaginal penetration (if that’s your preferred activity) to allow your body to produce natural lubrication.
Using a commercial lubricant as well can help expedite this process and make it more pleasurable for both partners. Activities such as kissing, sensual touch, and reading or listening to erotica can increase arousal and blood flow to the vaginal region. Make sure your partner knows these steps are important for you so you can stay on a similar page.
Because a lack of estrogen fuels vaginal dryness, improving your levels of this hormone can go a long way toward minimizing your symptoms. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy provides a natural alternative to synthetic estrogen therapy, with only minimal potential side effects.
Dr. Petruzzelli injects plant-based estrogen into your body in pellet form for improved hormonal balance, leading to healthier vaginal tissue and other benefits like restored sexual desire, better cognitive function, reduced hot flashes, and improved sleep.
To learn more about vaginal dryness treatment or discuss your other sexual health needs, call our office in Glastonbury, Connecticut or request an appointment with Dr. Petruzzelli on our website today.
