We must acknowledge that many things go on in a woman’s body as they marry, give birth, and age. Women go through many body changes that can’t be accounted for here because my focus is on how menopause affects the vagina. The age at which women get into menopause is now much earlier than before — quite concerning. The influence of menopause on the vagina can only be managed with no permanent cure. Mind you, early detection would do you good and minimise your worries. All you need to know how menopause affects the vagina are simplified below:
Genitourinary syndrome
This is a medical condition that affects women transitioning into complete menopause. The vagina gets drier, itchy and thinner for lack of estrogen.
Cause of genitourinary syndrome
During menopause, the body produces less estrogen — hormones that help the sexual and reproductive development of women. Low estrogen reduces the vaginal fluids and transforms the acid in your vagina. This can cause irritation because of how delicate the vagina tissue is. Women receiving cancer treatment, breastfeeding or having their ovaries evacuated can also experience genitourinary syndrome.
How menopause can affect your vagina
As you might be very anxious to discover what this article has in stock, I was also in your shoes when researching this. And these are what I came up with:
1. Sex becomes uncomfortable
Menopause makes the vagina thinner, and the folds around its thick wall start to flatten without expanding. Penetration into the vagina may be difficult because of the pain, even if your partner arouses you.
2. You can feel burn
When you’re in this kind of state (menopause), trying to pee can make you feel burned. Low estrogen makes the tissues in the vagina and urethra dry up, which causes bacteria to propagate.
3. Less sensitivity
Menopause can cause the pelvic muscles to weaken, which can lead to a lack of sexual sensitivity. Also, urinary incontinence — you may release urine when laughing, sneezing and coughing.
4. Vaginal microbiome
Menopause disrupts the vagina microbiome —- the collection of bacteria that stays within the vagina. Lactobacilli — the main bacteria in the vagina can decrease and lead to yeast infection.
How to help the vagina
- There are lubricants and moisturisers that can help with vagina dryness. These should be used according to the prescription of your doctor.
- Early detection of menopause and treatment are crucial to help your vagina.
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