Six common causes of dry mucous membranes & atrophy
A few weeks ago I received an email from a worried customer who described that after starting to use VagiVital AktivGel, she again began to experience discharge. She had long considered "dry mucous membranes" as the "normal" state for her genital area, which naturally caused concern when she, after a few weeks of using AktivGel, discovered that she was starting to get discharge again, similar to what she had before menopause. We adapt to a lot and women in particular may be "good" at accepting their situation.
I am still fascinated by how difficult it is for most of us to openly discuss intimate problems. We try, but it is not always easy, precisely because it is a private matter. It is intimate and often linked to "problems." Moreover, many taboos remain. We are also not used to using certain words or expressions. Few of us have had that training, but it can be practiced. Even I can feel shy and would of course not sit next to a stranger woman on the bus and start talking about my genital area or ask questions about her intimate health 😊. Honestly, I don't talk to anyone when I ride the bus. But if a woman had started talking to me on the bus about dry mucous membranes, I would have immediately been interested and we probably would have had a very rewarding and interesting conversation, which would have stayed with me for a long time. Because that's how it is. Most of us long for a genuine conversation where we can meet and share experiences❤️
How we express ourselves and which words we use matter a lot. The word "atrophy" (dry mucous membranes) comes, like many other words, from Greek, where "a-" means "without" or "lack of" and "trophē" means "nourishment" or "growth". Thus, "atrophy" in its original meaning refers to a state of nutritional deficiency or lack of growth. So let's discuss more about vaginal mucous membranes that suffer from lack of nourishment, or do you prefer the term atrophy? And you know, starting to have discharge again after using AktivGel is actually not uncommon, since the mucous membrane is rehydrated anew ❤️
DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES & ATROPHY
Dry mucous membranes are a common complaint that can affect women of all ages but are especially common among those approaching or having passed menopause. However, there are several causes of dry mucous membranes beyond hormonal changes. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. HORMONAL CHANGES
🌸Menopause (Menopause)
The most common cause of dry mucous membranes is decreased estrogen production that naturally occurs during menopause. During menopause, the ovaries' production of estrogen decreases significantly, directly affecting the elasticity and moisture level of vaginal tissue. This hormonal change causes the tissues to become thinner, less elastic, and more prone to irritation and dryness, resulting in a feeling of discomfort in the vaginal area.
🌸Perimenopause (Perimenopause)
The years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can also cause fluctuations in estrogen levels, leading to dry mucous membranes. During perimenopause, many women experience irregular hormonal swings, where estrogen levels vary greatly before steadily decreasing. These fluctuations contribute to a reduction in vaginal moisture and lubrication, which can cause discomfort and dry mucous membranes even before menopause officially begins.
The VagiVital Menopause FSH test indicates if you are in perimenopause/menopause.
You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here!
🌸 After childbirth
After childbirth, many women go through a period of hormonal adjustment where estrogen levels temporarily drop. This can reduce vaginal lubrication and elasticity, resulting in dry mucous membranes during this recovery period.
🌸During breastfeeding:
During breastfeeding, the body produces high levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production but can also suppress estrogen production. This reduction in estrogen contributes to the mucous membranes becoming drier, which is a common experience among nursing mothers.
2. MEDICAL TREATMENTS
🌸Cancer treatments
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can directly affect the body's hormone balance and damage the ovaries, resulting in decreased estrogen production. Hormone therapy, often used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer, specifically aims to lower or block estrogen to inhibit cancer growth, which can lead to dry mucous membranes as a side effect.
Read the blog about dry mucous membranes and atrophy in breast cancer here!
🌸Surgical procedures
In a hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed, the function of the ovaries can be affected even if they are left in place, which can potentially lead to a reduction in estrogen production. This reduction can in turn contribute to the development of dry mucous membranes, as estrogen plays a central role in maintaining vaginal health and moisture.
3. MEDICATIONS
🌸Certain medications
Antidepressants, especially those belonging to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can affect the body's sexual functions and thereby reduce natural lubrication. Antihistamines, used to treat allergies, can reduce moisture in the body's mucous membranes by blocking histamine, which can lead to dryness. Likewise, certain hormonal contraceptives can affect the body's natural hormone balance and thereby contribute to dry mucous membranes by reducing estrogen production.
4. DISEASES AND HEALTH CONDITIONS
🌸 Sjögren's syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own moisture-producing glands, leading to pronounced dryness in the eyes and mouth. Since the disease affects glands that produce moisture, other mucous membranes, including the vaginal ones, can also be affected by dryness. This is because the reduced function of the salivary and tear glands is often mirrored by a similar impairment in the glands responsible for vaginal lubrication, resulting in dry mucous membranes.
"I have Sjögren's syndrome and didn't know I was dry in the genital area, it wasn't something I noticed at first, I was used to sores and blisters as well as discomfort in the genital area. But then our sex life also started to suffer and I sat at the computer looking for what could be wrong. Found the website for VagiVital, ordered the cream and soap and tried... Wow, it helps. The genital area felt much better, sores and blisters began to heal, I don't have them as often anymore and our sex life improved. So now I always have it at home❤️” - Carina
🌸 Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that often affects the genital area, leading to whitish patches on the skin, which can become thin and fragile. This condition can cause itching, pain, and sometimes sores, which can contribute to discomfort and pain, especially during intercourse. Although the cause of Lichen sclerosus is not fully understood, autoimmune mechanisms, hormonal factors, and genetic predispositions are believed to play a role. Treatment often focuses on relieving symptoms and may include steroid creams and other medical ointments.
"My problems started sometime around the summer of 2008, with some itching, burning, and generally a feeling that something was wrong. I went to a gynecologist who couldn’t even examine me. I fainted. After several gynecologists, it was determined that I had Lichen sclerosus. Not a pleasant disease anywhere. There have been ointments, cortisone, and various medications. By chance, I saw an ad for VagiVital and tried it. What a difference! I am not cured but so much better." - Pernilla
🌸 Vestibulitis/Vulvodynia
Vestibulitis, also known as vulvodynia, is a painful condition characterized by chronic pain or discomfort in the vulva area, often without a visible cause. The pain, which can be burning, stabbing, or cutting, usually worsens with touch, intercourse, or tampon use. The causes behind vestibulitis/vulvodynia are not fully understood, but treatment may include medication, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms.
"The path to healing feels easier now. I have had problems with pelvic pain for about a year. I have tried to get an appointment with a gynecologist for 6 months but have been sent back and forth between the health center and hospital. Thus, I have not received any investigation of my pain through healthcare. Pain-related anxiety has been my everyday life throughout the year and has greatly reduced my quality of life. Since I did not get any help, Google has been my best friend, I have tried most things. When I received VagiVital AktivGel and started using it, the pain decreased by 60%. This has led to me being able to sit up without problems today and I no longer have pain every day. My pain-related anxiety has also decreased drastically. Without VagiVital AktivGel, I honestly do not know how I would cope with my severe pain. The path to healing feels easier now." - Hannah
Read the blog by Rebecka Kaplan Sturk, senior physician in gynecology/obstetrics, who writes about vulvodynia, previously called vestibulitis, which means exactly pain in the vulva here!
🌸 Diabetes
Diabetes can disrupt the body's normal regulation of blood sugar, which can indirectly affect hydration levels and lead to dehydration. This imbalance can contribute to reduced production of natural lubricants in the body, including in the vagina, resulting in dry mucous membranes. Additionally, high blood sugar levels can affect small blood vessels and nerves, further impairing the health of the mucous membranes.
Discover VagiVital AktivGel, a Swedish, hormone-free vaginal gel designed to relieve symptoms such as dryness and irritation in the intimate area. Its unique formula restores pH balance and promotes cell growth, with clinically proven results recommended by gynecologists. You can find VagiVital AktivGel here!
5. LIFESTYLE FACTORS
🌸 Smoking
Smoking negatively affects blood circulation by impairing blood vessel function and reducing blood flow throughout the body, including to the vaginal area. This reduced blood flow can lead to impaired nutrition and oxygen supply to the vaginal tissue, which in turn can contribute to a decrease in vaginal lubrication and result in dry mucous membranes.
🌸Poor diet and too little water
A poor diet, lacking water and essential nutrients, can lead to dehydration and affect the body's overall moisture balance, including the health of the mucous membranes. Water is essential for maintaining the body's hydration and helps keep mucous membranes, including in the vaginal area, moist. Insufficient intake of specific vitamins and minerals can also impair the condition and elasticity of the mucous membranes, further contributing to dryness.
🌸 Use of strong soaps and hygiene products
The use of strong soaps and hygiene products containing aggressive chemicals can disrupt the natural pH balance in the intimate area, which is crucial for a healthy vaginal flora. This disturbance can lead to irritation, inflammation, and a reduction in natural moisture, resulting in dry mucous membranes. Products not adapted for the sensitive skin in the intimate area can remove the natural oils and lubricants that protect against dryness.
VagiVital V Cleanser is far more than a traditional intimate wash! It is not a soap nor an oil, but a unique intimate CLEANSER ❤️ By combining the clinically proven AktivGel from VagiVital with mild rapeseed oil, this Cleanser has the ability to effectively cleanse both oil- and water-based impurities. At the same time, it moisturizes the mucous membrane and maintains a balanced pH level, without disturbing the sensitive microflora in the intimate area.
VagiVital V Cleanser intimate wash can be found here!
6. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
🌸 The stress response
When you experience stress, the body's "fight-or-flight" response is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are designed to prepare the body for an immediate reaction by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supply to the muscles. At the same time, non-urgent functions, including the reproductive system, are deprioritized. This can reduce blood flow to the vaginal area and thus affect the ability to produce natural lubrication.
🌸 Anxiety and its effects
Anxiety can lead to prolonged stress which, if it becomes chronic, can disrupt the balance in the body's systems, including the endocrine system that regulates hormones. Chronic stress and anxiety can also affect estrogen levels, which are crucial for vaginal health and lubrication. A decrease in estrogen can directly contribute to dry mucous membranes and atrophy.
🌸 Sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances can negatively affect the body's natural recovery ability and hormonal balance. During sleep, important rebuilding and healing processes occur, including adjustment and balancing of hormones such as estrogen, which is critical for vaginal health. Insufficient or disturbed sleep can thus lead to imbalances in these hormones, which can worsen or contribute to the development of dry mucous membranes.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WITH VAGIVITAL AKTIVGEL
VagiVital AktivGel, a hormone-free gel specially developed to effectively relieve and treat symptoms such as dryness, irritation, itching, discomfort during intercourse, and pain during urination in the intimate area, offers a revolutionary solution for women of all ages. Its unique formula, which is crystal clear and releases water to the mucous membrane over time, helps restore pH balance and stimulate cell growth in the mucous membrane's surface layer. This effectiveness is largely thanks to the gel's physical properties, including its optimal consistency which is crucial for a good effect.
Our clinical studies on VagiVital AktivGel show very positive results already after 30 days (4 weeks) of daily use, with further improvements at follow-up after 12 weeks. Therefore, we recommend continuous daily use of three tubes over a period of 12 weeks, after which switching to use as needed is common.
Now there is a special offer: 3-pack VagiVital AktivGel at a reduced price can be found here!
Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive ❤️
/Fanny Falkman Grinndal
Business Manager Nordics
Peptonic Medical AB
fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se
I am still fascinated by how difficult it is for most of us to openly discuss intimate problems. We try, but it is not always easy, precisely because it is a private matter. It is intimate and often linked to "problems." Moreover, many taboos remain. We are also not used to using certain words or expressions. Few of us have had that training, but it can be practiced. Even I can feel shy and would of course not sit next to a stranger woman on the bus and start talking about my genital area or ask questions about her intimate health 😊. Honestly, I don't talk to anyone when I ride the bus. But if a woman had started talking to me on the bus about dry mucous membranes, I would have immediately been interested and we probably would have had a very rewarding and interesting conversation, which would have stayed with me for a long time. Because that's how it is. Most of us long for a genuine conversation where we can meet and share experiences❤️
How we express ourselves and which words we use matter a lot. The word "atrophy" (dry mucous membranes) comes, like many other words, from Greek, where "a-" means "without" or "lack of" and "trophē" means "nourishment" or "growth". Thus, "atrophy" in its original meaning refers to a state of nutritional deficiency or lack of growth. So let's discuss more about vaginal mucous membranes that suffer from lack of nourishment, or do you prefer the term atrophy? And you know, starting to have discharge again after using AktivGel is actually not uncommon, since the mucous membrane is rehydrated anew ❤️
DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES & ATROPHY
Dry mucous membranes are a common complaint that can affect women of all ages but are especially common among those approaching or having passed menopause. However, there are several causes of dry mucous membranes beyond hormonal changes. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. HORMONAL CHANGES
🌸Menopause (Menopause)
The most common cause of dry mucous membranes is decreased estrogen production that naturally occurs during menopause. During menopause, the ovaries' production of estrogen decreases significantly, directly affecting the elasticity and moisture level of vaginal tissue. This hormonal change causes the tissues to become thinner, less elastic, and more prone to irritation and dryness, resulting in a feeling of discomfort in the vaginal area.
🌸Perimenopause (Perimenopause)
The years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can also cause fluctuations in estrogen levels, leading to dry mucous membranes. During perimenopause, many women experience irregular hormonal swings, where estrogen levels vary greatly before steadily decreasing. These fluctuations contribute to a reduction in vaginal moisture and lubrication, which can cause discomfort and dry mucous membranes even before menopause officially begins.
The VagiVital Menopause FSH test indicates if you are in perimenopause/menopause.
You can find the VagiVital Menopause FSH test here!
🌸 After childbirth
After childbirth, many women go through a period of hormonal adjustment where estrogen levels temporarily drop. This can reduce vaginal lubrication and elasticity, resulting in dry mucous membranes during this recovery period.
🌸During breastfeeding:
During breastfeeding, the body produces high levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production but can also suppress estrogen production. This reduction in estrogen contributes to the mucous membranes becoming drier, which is a common experience among nursing mothers.
2. MEDICAL TREATMENTS
🌸Cancer treatments
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can directly affect the body's hormone balance and damage the ovaries, resulting in decreased estrogen production. Hormone therapy, often used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer, specifically aims to lower or block estrogen to inhibit cancer growth, which can lead to dry mucous membranes as a side effect.
Read the blog about dry mucous membranes and atrophy in breast cancer here!
🌸Surgical procedures
In a hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed, the function of the ovaries can be affected even if they are left in place, which can potentially lead to a reduction in estrogen production. This reduction can in turn contribute to the development of dry mucous membranes, as estrogen plays a central role in maintaining vaginal health and moisture.
3. MEDICATIONS
🌸Certain medications
Antidepressants, especially those belonging to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can affect the body's sexual functions and thereby reduce natural lubrication. Antihistamines, used to treat allergies, can reduce moisture in the body's mucous membranes by blocking histamine, which can lead to dryness. Likewise, certain hormonal contraceptives can affect the body's natural hormone balance and thereby contribute to dry mucous membranes by reducing estrogen production.
4. DISEASES AND HEALTH CONDITIONS
🌸 Sjögren's syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own moisture-producing glands, leading to pronounced dryness in the eyes and mouth. Since the disease affects glands that produce moisture, other mucous membranes, including the vaginal ones, can also be affected by dryness. This is because the reduced function of the salivary and tear glands is often mirrored by a similar impairment in the glands responsible for vaginal lubrication, resulting in dry mucous membranes.
"I have Sjögren's syndrome and didn't know I was dry in the genital area, it wasn't something I noticed at first, I was used to sores and blisters as well as discomfort in the genital area. But then our sex life also started to suffer and I sat at the computer looking for what could be wrong. Found the website for VagiVital, ordered the cream and soap and tried... Wow, it helps. The genital area felt much better, sores and blisters began to heal, I don't have them as often anymore and our sex life improved. So now I always have it at home❤️” - Carina
🌸 Lichen sclerosus
Lichen sclerosus is a chronic skin condition that often affects the genital area, leading to whitish patches on the skin, which can become thin and fragile. This condition can cause itching, pain, and sometimes sores, which can contribute to discomfort and pain, especially during intercourse. Although the cause of Lichen sclerosus is not fully understood, autoimmune mechanisms, hormonal factors, and genetic predispositions are believed to play a role. Treatment often focuses on relieving symptoms and may include steroid creams and other medical ointments.
"My problems started sometime around the summer of 2008, with some itching, burning, and generally a feeling that something was wrong. I went to a gynecologist who couldn’t even examine me. I fainted. After several gynecologists, it was determined that I had Lichen sclerosus. Not a pleasant disease anywhere. There have been ointments, cortisone, and various medications. By chance, I saw an ad for VagiVital and tried it. What a difference! I am not cured but so much better." - Pernilla
🌸 Vestibulitis/Vulvodynia
Vestibulitis, also known as vulvodynia, is a painful condition characterized by chronic pain or discomfort in the vulva area, often without a visible cause. The pain, which can be burning, stabbing, or cutting, usually worsens with touch, intercourse, or tampon use. The causes behind vestibulitis/vulvodynia are not fully understood, but treatment may include medication, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms.
"The path to healing feels easier now. I have had problems with pelvic pain for about a year. I have tried to get an appointment with a gynecologist for 6 months but have been sent back and forth between the health center and hospital. Thus, I have not received any investigation of my pain through healthcare. Pain-related anxiety has been my everyday life throughout the year and has greatly reduced my quality of life. Since I did not get any help, Google has been my best friend, I have tried most things. When I received VagiVital AktivGel and started using it, the pain decreased by 60%. This has led to me being able to sit up without problems today and I no longer have pain every day. My pain-related anxiety has also decreased drastically. Without VagiVital AktivGel, I honestly do not know how I would cope with my severe pain. The path to healing feels easier now." - Hannah
Read the blog by Rebecka Kaplan Sturk, senior physician in gynecology/obstetrics, who writes about vulvodynia, previously called vestibulitis, which means exactly pain in the vulva here!
🌸 Diabetes
Diabetes can disrupt the body's normal regulation of blood sugar, which can indirectly affect hydration levels and lead to dehydration. This imbalance can contribute to reduced production of natural lubricants in the body, including in the vagina, resulting in dry mucous membranes. Additionally, high blood sugar levels can affect small blood vessels and nerves, further impairing the health of the mucous membranes.
Discover VagiVital AktivGel, a Swedish, hormone-free vaginal gel designed to relieve symptoms such as dryness and irritation in the intimate area. Its unique formula restores pH balance and promotes cell growth, with clinically proven results recommended by gynecologists. You can find VagiVital AktivGel here!
5. LIFESTYLE FACTORS
🌸 Smoking
Smoking negatively affects blood circulation by impairing blood vessel function and reducing blood flow throughout the body, including to the vaginal area. This reduced blood flow can lead to impaired nutrition and oxygen supply to the vaginal tissue, which in turn can contribute to a decrease in vaginal lubrication and result in dry mucous membranes.
🌸Poor diet and too little water
A poor diet, lacking water and essential nutrients, can lead to dehydration and affect the body's overall moisture balance, including the health of the mucous membranes. Water is essential for maintaining the body's hydration and helps keep mucous membranes, including in the vaginal area, moist. Insufficient intake of specific vitamins and minerals can also impair the condition and elasticity of the mucous membranes, further contributing to dryness.
🌸 Use of strong soaps and hygiene products
The use of strong soaps and hygiene products containing aggressive chemicals can disrupt the natural pH balance in the intimate area, which is crucial for a healthy vaginal flora. This disturbance can lead to irritation, inflammation, and a reduction in natural moisture, resulting in dry mucous membranes. Products not adapted for the sensitive skin in the intimate area can remove the natural oils and lubricants that protect against dryness.
VagiVital V Cleanser is far more than a traditional intimate wash! It is not a soap nor an oil, but a unique intimate CLEANSER ❤️ By combining the clinically proven AktivGel from VagiVital with mild rapeseed oil, this Cleanser has the ability to effectively cleanse both oil- and water-based impurities. At the same time, it moisturizes the mucous membrane and maintains a balanced pH level, without disturbing the sensitive microflora in the intimate area.
VagiVital V Cleanser intimate wash can be found here!
6. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
🌸 The stress response
When you experience stress, the body's "fight-or-flight" response is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones are designed to prepare the body for an immediate reaction by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supply to the muscles. At the same time, non-urgent functions, including the reproductive system, are deprioritized. This can reduce blood flow to the vaginal area and thus affect the ability to produce natural lubrication.
🌸 Anxiety and its effects
Anxiety can lead to prolonged stress which, if it becomes chronic, can disrupt the balance in the body's systems, including the endocrine system that regulates hormones. Chronic stress and anxiety can also affect estrogen levels, which are crucial for vaginal health and lubrication. A decrease in estrogen can directly contribute to dry mucous membranes and atrophy.
🌸 Sleep disturbances
Sleep disturbances can negatively affect the body's natural recovery ability and hormonal balance. During sleep, important rebuilding and healing processes occur, including adjustment and balancing of hormones such as estrogen, which is critical for vaginal health. Insufficient or disturbed sleep can thus lead to imbalances in these hormones, which can worsen or contribute to the development of dry mucous membranes.
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WITH VAGIVITAL AKTIVGEL
VagiVital AktivGel, a hormone-free gel specially developed to effectively relieve and treat symptoms such as dryness, irritation, itching, discomfort during intercourse, and pain during urination in the intimate area, offers a revolutionary solution for women of all ages. Its unique formula, which is crystal clear and releases water to the mucous membrane over time, helps restore pH balance and stimulate cell growth in the mucous membrane's surface layer. This effectiveness is largely thanks to the gel's physical properties, including its optimal consistency which is crucial for a good effect.
Our clinical studies on VagiVital AktivGel show very positive results already after 30 days (4 weeks) of daily use, with further improvements at follow-up after 12 weeks. Therefore, we recommend continuous daily use of three tubes over a period of 12 weeks, after which switching to use as needed is common.
Now there is a special offer: 3-pack VagiVital AktivGel at a reduced price can be found here!
Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive ❤️
/Fanny Falkman Grinndal
Business Manager Nordics
Peptonic Medical AB
fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se
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