Vaginal dryness is incredibly common, affecting up to half of all women. While it might not sound like a big deal, vaginal dryness can lead to painful irritation, chronic itching, and an increased risk of serious infections if you ignore it.
At South Lake Medical Spa, Nicole Casavant, PA-C, helps women in Clermont, Florida, combat vaginal dryness with the state-of-the-art EmpowerRF® system that uses radiofrequency energy to restore thin, dry vaginal tissue. If you have vaginal dryness, here are six potential causes.
1. Menopause
Menopause is a major cause of chronic vaginal dryness, and unlike most of the other causes on this list, you can’t resolve it with lifestyle changes. During menopause, your body’s production of estrogen slows down dramatically. Estrogen is a powerful hormone with many functions, one of which is to maintain healthy vaginal tissue.
During menopause or the months and years leading up to it, the reduction in estrogen production causes your vaginal tissue to become thin and brittle. At the same time, you produce less natural lubricating fluid. These “side effects” combine to cause vaginal dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse, and it can even lead to an increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs).
EmpowerRF is an ideal non-drug solution for this type of chronic vaginal dryness. With EmpowerRF, bursts of radiofrequency energy remodel the vaginal lining, helping tissue become thicker and more resilient while also helping restore natural lubrication. Better still, you can have “touch-up” treatments to maintain the benefits without worrying about the potential effects of hormone medications.
2. Medications
Speaking of medications, several can cause or exacerbate vaginal dryness. Antihistamines and other allergy products that help dry up mucous membranes in your sinuses can also dry out the vaginal tissues. So can some antidepressants.
This type of vaginal dryness may be relieved by talking to your doctor about alternative medicines that won’t cause dryness. Personal lubricants can also help.
3. Birth control products
Many birth control methods use hormones to help prevent pregnancy. While birth control pills are perhaps the popular hormone-containing contraceptive, other products use hormones, too, including patches, vaginal rings, injections, implants, and some IUDs.
Because these products affect your hormone levels, they can sometimes cause vaginal dryness. You can address this type of dryness with personal lubricants, or you can change your contraceptive method. You may also benefit from EmpowerRF to help restore lubrication naturally.
4. Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus and sometimes your ovaries. Without your uterus and ovaries, your body enters menopause immediately, which means you can experience all the side effects of menopause, too.
Because the ovaries are a major producer of estrogen, many women find they have vaginal dryness and irritation after ovary removal. Here again, EmpowerRF can be a safe, effective, non-drug solution for vaginal dryness, itching, and discomfort, making all sorts of activities more comfortable, including intercourse.
5. Douching or overwashing
Finally, many women routinely douche or use other harsh or irritating products to cleanse the vaginal area. It’s important to note that while these products may make you feel fresher and cleaner, they can disrupt the natural pH balance inside and around your vagina, resulting in irritation, discomfort, and dryness.
Your vagina has a built-in cleaning system that maintains pH balance and helps prevent infections and other problems. If you notice an unpleasant odor, it could be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or another health problem that needs medical attention. Generally, it’s best to avoid douches and other wash products that can do more harm than good.
EmpowerRF is an outpatient treatment that takes under an hour to perform. If you have chronic vaginal dryness, EmpowerRF could be the solution you’re looking for to help restore vaginal tissues and lubrication naturally.
To learn more about this unique, patient-centered treatment, call 352-656-6680 or book an appointment online with the South Lake Medical Spa team today.
