Dr Chris Steele provides background information on vaginal dryness, which is often associated with the menopause.

Background Information on Vaginal Dryness.

Vaginal dryness is an extremely common symptom of the menopause experienced by approximately 40% of all post-menopausal women. It is generally associated with changes to the vagina during this time and can be caused by diminishing levels of oestrogen.

Effect of vaginal dryness on sex life
Women experiencing symptoms of vaginal dryness may find sex difficult and painful. Although perhaps a tricky subject to discuss, it is important that women seek medical help for this condition to restore their sex lives and ensure that are not left at risk of more long-term urinary problems, such as incontinence.

Possible treatments
As the cause of vaginal dryness is often oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women, an effective way to help resolve the symptoms can be to replace missing oestrogen in the vaginal tissues. Localised oestrogen therapy comes in the form of small vaginal tablets, pessaries or creams which are inserted directly into the vagina twice a week, or vaginal rings inserted every three months. These treatments can be very effective, and unlike the conventional forms of HRT, they are low dose and the effects are local, therefore the risk of systemic side effects is reduced.

Q & A
Q from Kathryn, 48
I am a happily married mother of three, but have recently started to experience ‘down below’ problems which are affecting my sex life. I am worried there is something very wrong with me and my relationship.

My main concern is that sex is extremely painful and I feel dry, itchy and sore down below. In recent weeks sex has become almost physically impossible because of my dryness, and this is putting considerable pressure on my marriage. Is this normal and is there any treatment to help me?

Answer There is no need to worry, you are perfectly normal; it sounds to me like you are experiencing the first symptoms of the menopause. Your painful sex is most likely a result of vaginal dryness, a very common occurrence in women as their oestrogen levels drop.

There are excellent treatments available that can drastically improve your symptoms and enable you to lead an active sex life once again. I would advise you to speak to your doctor about local oestrogen replacement therapy. This is available as a tiny tablet which you discreetly and quickly insert directly into the vagina using a thin applicator; creams and other preparations (such as creams, pessaries and vaginal rings) are available if you prefer. As these treatments go directly where needed, the risks associated with systemic (all body) Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) are reduced.

Q from Jennifer, 52
I have recently noticed that my vagina is extremely dry and sore and embarrassingly I keep experiencing unpleasant discharge. I am scared to have sex as it is so painful and am worried that I may have a sexually transmitted infection. Can you help me?

Answer First of all please do not worry. The dryness and discharge you are experiencing is most probably not a sexually transmitted infection, but in fact a very common symptom of the menopause caused by a loss of the female sex hormone oestrogen. I would urge you to open up to your GP about your symptoms as effective and long-term help is available.

I would recommend you discussing with your GP the use of local vaginal oestrogen tablets (other preparations are available such as creams, pessaries and vaginal rings if tablets are not for you). These tiny tablets are discreetly and quickly inserted directly into the vagina using a thin applicator. As they replace oestrogen exactly where needed they can quickly ease your uncomfortable symptoms enabling you to enjoy sex once more.

Further information
Menopause Info web site
Menopause Matters Charity site


This content was created on Thu 17 July 2008

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