Vaginal Symptoms :Go In-dept

A variety of nonprescription, non-hormonal vaginal lubricants and moisturizers are available to treat vaginal dryness.

• Water-based vaginal lubricants (such as K-Y Personal Lubricant, Astroglide,  Lubrin, or Moist Again) decrease friction and ease discomfort during intercourse. Unlike lubricants, vaginal moisturizers (such as Replens or K-Y Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer) act directly on tissue to relieve dryness.
• Lotion & Moisturizers may be preferred by women who have symptoms of irritation and burning that are not limited to sexual activity. Because moisturizers help maintain an acidic vaginal environment, they may also help prevent recurring vaginal infections. If lubrication is desired, only products specifically designed for vaginal use should be considered. Most hand lotions contain ingredients such as alcohol and perfume that can irritate vaginal tissue.
• Some products are prohibited. Oil-based products (such as petroleum jelly and baby oil) can also cause irritation, damage condoms and diaphragms, and cling to vaginal tissue, providing a habitat for infection. One exception may be vitamin E oil, reported to provide lubrication and relief from vulvovaginal itching and irritation without adverse effects.

Vinegar douches or vaginally applied cultures of lactobacilli or yogurt are not effective moisturizers and are not recommended.

Try these techniques.

If vaginal penetration is difficult, other techniques such as massage, extended caressing, and mutual masturbation (“outercourse”) may be more comfortable and pleasurable.

Regular sexual stimulation

which promotes blood flow to the genital area, can also help maintain vaginal health.

Beware Hurtful Drugs & Products.

Antihistamine pills, usually taken for allergies, have a drying effect on all mucous membranes, including those in the vaginal walls as well as the nose. It is also advisable to limit the use of soap, bath oil, and bubble baths.

“Those Lubricants and moisturizers don’t work for me, any choice?”

• Estrogen Therapy – Severe Case. Severe vaginal dryness and atrophy that are not relieved by lubricants or moisturizers may respond to a course of estrogen therapy, as lack of estrogen is often the cause of the problem. Prescription estrogen therapy has been proven to restore the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues, restore healthy vaginal pH, and relieve vaginal dryness. Improvements usually occur within a few weeks of starting therapy, although relief of severe atrophy can take much longer.

All estrogen dosage forms are effective and government approved for this use, whether they are systemic or nonsystemic (applied “locally” directly to the vagina in low doses to minimize blood levels and side effects). Severe vaginal atrophy may respond more quickly to the vaginal forms of estrogen (cream, tablet, or ring) than to pills and patches.

Vaginal estrogen may also be appropriate for long-term use, as absorption into the bloodstream is minimal. Short-term vaginal estrogen therapy may even be an option for women following cancer of the reproductive system, although it is not effective in treating hot flashes or other nonvaginal conditions.

• Estrogen also contains side effects. Risks and benefits must be weighed in each case. When using estrogen therapy, vaginal lubricants or moisturizers may also be used as needed. Sometimes, whenever tissues are restored to a more healthy state with estrogen use, hormone therapy can be stopped and, if needed, nonhormonal lubricants or moisturizers alone can be used.

Tagged as: estrogen, Flashes, Hormone, Hormone therapy, state, Symptoms, use, vitamin, Women