Let’s talk about symptoms of menopause
What is vaginal dryness
and what causes it?
At menopause, a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs and there is a decline in the hormone estrogen in the blood. Estrogen helps maintain thickness of the vaginal lining, keeps the vagina moist, and maintains the « elasticity » of the vaginal tissueThe lower estrogen levels that may occur during all stages of menopause can lead to vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness can affect any woman, but it is very common among postmenopausal women. Over half of postmenopausal women aged 51 to 60 suffer from vaginal dryness.
Understanding the menopause timeline .- Perimenopause - year or years before menopause (about age 40 to 50)
- Menopause - is a point in time, defined as 1 year after the last menstrual period (usually occurs age 45 to 55)
- Postmenopause - years following menopause.
Vaginal dryness is common and may negatively affect the lives of postmenopausal women
In an American survey of about 1,800 postmenopausal women, 79% experienced vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness is a symptom of a condition called vulvovaginal atrophy, sometimes referred to as VVA. Healthcare providers may also use the terms « atrophic vaginitis » or « genitourinary syndrome of menopause. » Other symptoms of VVA include burning and pain during sex (dyspareunia).
In a European survey of over 3,000 postmenopausal women, VVA symptoms interfered with women’s sexual life and other activities:
