Sexuality
About 17% of women between 18 and 50 years old experience problems with dry mucous membranes during sex, even before menopause. The body naturally produces its own lubricant (lubrication) to make it feel pleasant and to make it easy to insert something into the vagina during sex.
During sexual arousal, two glands begin to produce extra moisture to facilitate intercourse. However, a quarter of women aged 50-59 experience vaginal dryness problems during sex and 16% experience pain.
Genital problems during sex
Many women can, however, be dry in the vagina during sex. This can be due to insufficient foreplay or psychological causes such as stress. Other reasons for a dry vagina before menopause can be linked to hygiene products like intimate sprays and strong soaps, chemicals in swimming pools and hot tubs, and some detergents. Certain medications, for example for allergies and colds and some antidepressants, can also dry out the mucous membranes, including those in the vagina.
Reduced lubrication and pain during sex increase after menopause. The skin around the vagina thins and therefore becomes more easily damaged, especially if it is too dry. Painful intercourse can contribute to decreased sexual desire, but when the symptoms are treated, it often leads to increased sexual desire and arousal.
Dry mucous membranes in the vagina can also cause discomfort when sitting, standing, exercising, urinating, or working. It affects your daily life and has a negative impact on quality of life.
Many women also find that their vaginal discharge changes, becomes more watery, discolored, and somewhat unpleasant-smelling, and they may experience irritation and a burning sensation. These symptoms can be worrying but they are simply due to hormonal changes and not an indication of anything more serious.
Treatment methods
There are different treatment methods to treat dry mucous membranes in the vagina. A hormone-free alternative is VagiVital. The product is clinically tested and as many as 83% of all women experienced an improvement after using the product for a month or longer