Why Do Women Get Vaginal Dryness And What Can We Do About It?

Vaginal dryness may be a common occurrence, but it's still a taboo topic.

“This was a topic that no one wanted to talk about, ” says Chia Chia Sun, CEO of Damiva, makers of all-natural health products for women in menopause. In fact, women are much less willing to talk about their own vaginal dryness than they are about their male partner’s erectile dysfunction.

As Toronto physician Dr. Anne Madigan notes, the conversation around sex and older women doesn't even really exist. “We don’t have many ads for vaginal dryness on television," she says. "The message is that it is really important for men to have sex, but what kind of message is there for women?”

It's time to change the conversation. In the slideshow below, we spoke with three experts to learn everything there is to know about vaginal dryness. From why we get it to how to talk about it and get relief from it, these tips will have you back in the sack in no time.

What You Need To Know About Vaginal Dryness

(01 of07)

Why Does Vaginal Dryness Occur?

Dryness happens when ovaries stop producing estrogen during menopause. Dr. Anne Madigan tells The Huffington Post Canada, “Estrogen maintains normal vaginal tissue and the clear lubricating fluid which makes vaginal intercourse comfortable. The vaginal tissue becomes thinner, and there is less blood flow to the area and less secretion.”

While other menopausal symptoms typically resolve after the menopausal period, vaginal dryness often persists and worsens. This comes as unwelcome news to women who are living longer and healthier lives, and have greater expectations of sexuality. (credit:ioanmasay via Getty Images)

(02 of07)

Who Gets It?

Vaginal dryness is quite common. Thirty per cent of perimenopausal and 50 per cent of post-menopausal women experience symptoms of vaginal dryness.“Women feel responsible, embarrassed and shy, when it’s just a fact of aging,” Dr. Madigan says. (credit:Juanmonino via Getty Images)

(03 of07)

You Should Talk To Your Doctor About It

Most women don’t talk about vaginal dryness — not even with their doctors, who are generally not well trained or comfortable talking about it either. Dr. Madigan says, “I always ask my patients, ‘how is your sex life?’” She observes, “Women will talk about hot flashes, insomnia and irritability. They often talk about memory loss in a funny manner — but they don’t talk about vaginal dryness.” She notes that if women are not talking about vaginal dryness with health practitioners, “it’s unlikely they are discussing it with their partners.” (credit:Fuse via Getty Images)

(04 of07)

Use Lube And Don't Be Embarrassed About It

Chia Chia Sun, CEO of Damiva, a company that makes all-natural products for menopausal health, says she once tried to give a sample of lubricant to a woman who said, “I can’t take that, he’ll think it’s my fault.” She observes, “It is your issue but it’s not your fault. If you feel it is your fault you can’t even open the door to talk about the issue.” (credit:Boris Kaulin via Getty Images)

(05 of07)

You Need To Talk To Your Partner About It

Toronto relationship therapist Susan Valentine says that talking about vaginal dryness is an opportunity to increase connection and intimacy, and something a couple should deal with together. “It is difficult to talk about issues that make us feel vulnerable,” she says, but “part of what ends up disconnecting couples is the withdrawal and other defenses that arise in trying to protect oneself from shame or embarrassment.” Dr. Madigan explains that because it hurts to have sex with a dry vagina, women can become withdrawn. “They are not less interested in their partner, but the partner can feel they are not interested in them.”

Valentine says it's important for a woman to share what she is experiencing physically and also emotionally. “When women raise the issue of vaginal dryness, we are essentially expressing vulnerability and requesting reassurance that we will be loved through these changes and challenges, and as we age.” She adds, “Learning to talk about our fears and vulnerabilities with our partners strengthens our connection and overall relationship. It provides our partner with the chance to listen to our concern, validate it, and offer empathy.” (credit:Monkey Business Images Ltd via Getty Images)

(06 of07)

Your Vagina Still Works. It’s Just Dry

Beyond using moisturizers and lubricants, which Dr. Madigan says is “like moisturizing your face every day,” other options like low dose estrogen cream or tablets that are not hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (which more and more women avoid) can help vaginal walls be less dry. (credit:LWA/Dann Tardif via Getty Images)

(07 of07)

Avoiding Sex Isn't The Solution

While women may avoid sex because of pain, abstinence is not the answer. Dr. Madigan says “regular sexual activity or vaginal stimulation with or without your partner increases blood flow in the area. If you don’t have sex for three months it can feel uncomfortable so ironically it can help to have regular sex to cause secretions.” And sexual intimacy is not only good for the vagina, it is also good for the relationship. (credit:Ronnie Kaufman via Getty Images)

Sue Nador is a Toronto writer and management consultant. She hashes out expectations in the messy world of personal and business relationships. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and her blog The Relationship Deal.

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Why Do Women Get Vaginal Dryness And What Can We Do About It?

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