WHAT IS VAGINAL DRYNESS? WHY DOES IT OCCUR?

It is the sensation a woman gets when there is not enough moistness or lubrication in the vagina. It occurs when when there are hormonal changes like after childbirth, during breastfeeding or while on birth control pills. Prescription medicines with anticholinergic or sympathomimetic effects such as anti-allergy drugs, cardiovascular or psychiatric drugs also dry out not only the mucosal lining or wet tissue of the mouth but also that of the vagina. Through a simone is anxious or stressed, or

WHAT IS ITS RELATION TO MENOPAUSE?

What happens in menopause is the ovaries cease to function and the estrogen and progesterone hormones begin to drop. As a result, the lining of the vagina thins our from about 8 layers of cells to 3 layers, losing elasticity and capacity to produce fluid.

WHAT ARE THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VAGINAL DRYNESS

Vaginal dryness can cause painful intercourse which can certainly affect the degree of pleasure with sex. Many women undergoing stress, anxiety or menopause who experience painful intercourse will naturally want to avoid sex. This can lead to a feeling of rejection of the spouse and cause a strain on the relationship.

HOW CAN IT BE TREATED?

If the cause is stress or anxiety, removal of the stressful situation may relieve the problem. Discontinuance of medications that cause the dryness will usually reverse the dryness. Hormone replacement therapy in the form of estrogen progesterone pills can cause the lining of the vagina to thicken and become more lubricated again.. Vaginal estrogen tablets can also act locally to achieve the same effect. For those who refuse hormonal therapy may relieve the dryness with vaginal lubricants.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS IN USING LUBRICANTS AND VAGINAL MOISTURIZERS? WHAT SHOULD CONSUMERS LOOK FOR IN CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCT TO USE?

It is important to avoid using Petroleum based lubricants like Vaseline or even baby oil since these can promote infections. Use only water-soluble lubricants with glycerine which are odorless, tasteless and sterile. KY Jelly is the most available in any drugstore nationwide. In the U.S. Astroglide and Replens are also available. In the Philippines, among the brands available are Felina and Replens. Some lubricants which may contain a spermicidal, Nonoxynol may cause vaginal irritation because of the latter.

HAVE YOU HAD PATIENTS WITH VAGINAL DRYNESS? IS IT ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FILIPINAS? WHAT ARE THEIR USUAL COMPLAINT?

Many patients especially those in menopause who are not on hormone replacement therapy complain of vaginal dryness. They usually complain of painful intercourse and when you ask them if it is upon entry or on deep penetration, they usually answer, “upon entry”. Then you elicit for vaginal dryness and they admit they do. Some of them actually come for consultation.primarily for that problem.

WHAT IS THE PREVAILING ATTITUDE OF WOMEN WITH REGARDS TO THIS CONDITION. ARE THEY OPEN ABOUT IT? DO THEY ALSO DISCUSS IS WITH THEIR SPOUSES?

Women whose husbands have a medical problem that prevents him from being sexual are not bothered at all with vaginal dryness. It is among those with sexually active husbands that vaginal dryness becomes a major concern. These women are open about it with their gynecologists knowing they can be helped. They can’t deny it to their spouses since intercourse becomes difficult. Most of them can discuss it with their spouses and the usual resolution is the use of KY Jelly.