Intimate health: Understanding vaginal dryness and its treatment options
Vaginal discharge fulfills essential functions for female well-being, such as lubrication during sexual intercourse, protection against infectious agents, and maintaining pH balance. When this natural hydration decreases, vaginal dryness arises, a condition that alters the mucosa, making it thinner and less elastic. This clinical picture is currently integrated into a broader concept called genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Although it is estimated that between 50% and 60% of postmenopausal women experience these symptoms, many avoid seeking professional help due to taboos or the mistaken belief that it is an inevitable process. This lack of consultation turns a treatable condition into an undertreated health problem.
Causes and clinical manifestations
The main cause is the drop in estrogen levels, hormones responsible for maintaining the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues. Although it is common from the age of 45 or 50, it can also occur during breastfeeding, due to the use of certain contraceptives, after cancer treatments, or in the case of surgical menopause.
Some women experience discomfort or stinging, pain during sexual intercourse, a feeling of tightness in the vulva, or a greater predisposition to urinary or vaginal infections.
Dr. Laura López Chardi
It is essential to understand that this condition is not always perceived as a lack of obvious lubrication, but rather can manifest as persistent discomfort that, if not addressed, tends to progress over time.
Diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives
The medical diagnosis is based on the clinical history and physical examination, sometimes including the measurement of vaginal pH. Once the condition is determined, there is a wide range of solutions available:
- Non-hormonal options: Vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, and oral supplements such as omega-7.
- Hormonal treatments: Local application of estrogen or DHEA, as well as systemic therapies via patches or creams.
- Regenerative gynecology: Advanced procedures such as vaginal laser, radiofrequency, and the use of platelet-rich plasma to restore tissue.
The specialist emphasizes that restoring the health of the mucosa is possible, achieving levels of elasticity and thickness similar to those prior to the hormonal deficit through appropriate treatment.
Beyond the sexual sphere
Vaginal dryness should not be considered exclusively a sexual problem, as burning, chronic itching, and the risk of recurrent infections can significantly affect daily quality of life. Maintaining healthy habits, such as good hydration, a diet rich in antioxidants, and avoiding tobacco consumption, are recommended complementary measures.
The medical recommendation is clear: at the first symptoms, it is necessary to seek a consultation. Early treatment is not only more effective, but it also prevents long-term complications that are more difficult to reverse as age advances.
