Dry mucous membranes during antidepressant medication: Causes and solutions

Dry mucous membranes are a problem that many do not want to talk about openly, but it is actually a common side effect of antidepressant medication. Here at VagiVital, we love our chat function where we get the opportunity to meet women who have questions and concerns about our products because it gives us a personal contact and also helps us understand what questions and concerns exist around intimate health – questions that we also have the opportunity to highlight❤️.

The other day, a somewhat resigned message came in our chat from a young woman who said she suffered from dryness and irritation despite being only 32 years old. We recommended AktivGel for dry mucous membranes which is hormone-free and suitable for women of all ages, as well as our blog post "Six common causes of dry mucous membranes," where women can deepen their knowledge on the subject.

After a short while, the woman contacted us again and said that she had now read the blog and discovered that SSRIs (antidepressant medication) can cause dry mucous membranes. She had taken SSRIs for many years but had no idea that it could also cause dry mucous membranes and was very relieved when she finally got an explanation for why she was experiencing these problems ❤️

DO WOMEN KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES FROM ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS?

Many women are actually unaware that dry mucous membranes can be a side effect of antidepressant medication. Information about this specific side effect is often not prominent in the information leaflets that come with the medication and is rarely discussed in detail during doctor consultations.

WHAT CAUSES DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES WHEN USING ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATION (SSRI)?

Antidepressant medications, especially those belonging to the group selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates many body functions, including the production of natural lubricants. When serotonin levels change, it can disrupt the body's production of fluids that keep the mucous membranes moist and elastic.

The mucous membranes in the genital area are particularly sensitive to these changes. Normally, these tissues are kept moist and elastic through a balance of hormones and natural lubricants. When this balance is disturbed, the mucous membranes can become dry and fragile, leading to a range of discomforts such as:

🌸 Discomfort and itching: Dry mucous membranes can cause a constant feeling of irritation and itching, which can be very uncomfortable.

🌸 Burning and stinging sensation: Many women experience a burning sensation that can worsen with physical activity or intercourse.

🌸 Pain during intercourse: Reduced lubrication can make intercourse painful, which can affect both physical and emotional well-being.

🌸 Increased risk of infections: Dry and fragile mucous membranes can crack more easily, which increases the risk of infections.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES?

VagiVital AktivGel is a hormone-free gel specially designed to effectively relieve and treat symptoms such as dryness, irritation, itching, discomfort during intercourse, and pain during urination in the intimate area, suitable for women of all ages. The crystal-clear gel adheres to the vaginal mucosa and releases water to the mucosa over time, restores pH, and stimulates the growth of cells in the mucosal surface layer.

BENEFITS OF AKTIVGEL

🌸 Moisturizing effect

Clinical studies at Swedish university hospitals show very positive results already after 30 days (4 weeks) of daily use with AktivGel, with further improvements at follow-up after 12 weeks. Therefore, we recommend that you continuously use three tubes over a period of 12 weeks. After this period, it is common to switch to use as needed.

🌸 Hormone-free

AktivGel is hormone-free and perfect for women who avoid hormones for medical or personal reasons, but it can also be excellently combined with hormones if desired.

🌸 Non-sticky

Because the gel stays where it is placed (in the vagina) thanks to its high viscosity, it is also non-sticky, meaning that a panty liner is not necessary during use.

HOW COMMON IS THE PROBLEM?

A study published in "Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology" found that up to 20% of women using SSRIs report symptoms of dry mucous membranes. Another study in "Archives of Sexual Behavior" confirms these results and points to the serotonin receptors' effect on the body's fluid production as a contributing factor. This means that tens of thousands of women may suffer from dry mucous membranes as a direct result of their medication.

WHEN DO THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR?

Symptoms of dry mucous membranes can appear both early in treatment with antidepressant medication (SSRI) and after longer use. For some women, discomfort can begin just a few weeks after starting treatment, while others may develop symptoms only after several months or even years of medication. The exact timing can vary depending on the individual's unique body chemistry and how they react to the medication.

READ BLOG ABOUT SIX COMMON CAUSES OF DRY MUCUS MEMBRANES HERE! 

FINAL WORDS

Experiencing dry mucous membranes can feel especially challenging for younger women who have not found an explanation for why they suffer from dryness, burning, and irritation in the genital area. But it is actually completely normal to have dry mucous membranes even at a younger age, and there are several underlying causes – one of them being antidepressant medication❤️.

As always, take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive❤️

/Fanny Falkman Grinndal

Business Manager Nordics
Peptonic Medical AB
fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se