VAGINAL DRYNESS
Vaginal dryness is a very uncomfortable symptom that affects many women of all age groups. It causes painful sex, and discomfort when the woman engages in physical activities & also increases the risk of vaginal infections.
Normally, the vagina is “kept wet” by secretions that cover the walls of the vagina. Vaginal dryness is caused by conditions that reduce or even stop these secretions.
Menopause is a common cause of Vaginal dryness.
Let’s now explore other causes :
Vaginal dryness usually results from low Oestrogen levels. Oestrogen is the hormone that keeps the vagina thick & lubricated. That’s why many conditions (like Menopause) that reduce Oestrogen levels are common causes of vaginal dryness.
Common causes of Vaginal dryness are :
- Not enough foreplay
- Stress/ Anxiety/ Depression
- Douching (Washing the vagina)
- Smoking tobacco
- Medication (e.g Anti-oestrogen medication, Antihistamines)
- Childbirth & Breastfeeding
- Surgery/Treatment (like Radiotherapy)
The common symptoms of Vaginal dryness are :
- Vaginal itching/soreness
- Pain of Discomfort During Sex
- A need to pee more than usual
- Frequent Vaginal & Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Feeling uncomfortable during physical activity
- Narrowing/Tightening of the vagina
If you have persistent vaginal dryness, please see your Doctor or a Sexual health specialist.
By asking you a couple of questions, examining you & running a few tests, we can find the cause of the problem. And once the cause has been found, the solution is usually easier to devise.
If the dryness is due to Oestrogen reduction, you might be prescribed medication to increase Oestrogen levels.
Before you see a Doctor though, you could try out these tips first :
- PLEASE STOP WASHING YOUR VAGINA (mo fi titobi Olorun be yin
) - When you wash the vulva, use either only water or use water with unscented soaps
- Try to engage in more/better foreplay so that you are more aroused before penetrative sex.
- Experiment with water-based lubricants before sex (Put inside your vagina and/or on your partner’s penis)
- Use Vaginal moisturisers (Please don’t use moisturisers that are not for the vagina)
Vaginal dryness affects a lot of people. Also, because it is regarded as a sensitive or even embarrassing topic by a lot of women, many women end up covering it up & they don’t see a doctor about it.
This shouldn’t be the case, especially since it is usually a very treatable condition.
If there’s anything I want you to take from this, it’s that Vaginal dryness is nothing to be ashamed of.
And it is definitely a treatable condition 
