The Best Way To Treat Vaginal Dryness During Menopause
(Illustration: Sacha Stephan)
During menopause, the vagina becomes thinner, less elastic and produces less natural lubrication, leading to painful intercourse and general dryness. “I’ve had women talk about a sandpaper sensation between their legs,” says Dr. Omolayo Famuyide, a Winnipeg-based menopause specialist and medical director and founder of the Layo Centre, a women’s health clinic.
Burning, itching and painful intercourse are a few of the excruciating symptoms that can accompany vaginal dryness, a component of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. GSM encompasses all of the genital, sexual and urinary symptoms, including vaginal dryness, which is caused by declining estrogen.
“If left untreated, it will only get worse,” says Famuyide. The good news is that it’s easy to treat and people often feel relief quickly.
The best over-the-counter treatment? A vaginal moisturizer. A cream or gel is applied on your vulva or in your vagina with your fingers or an applicator, typically two to three times a week. Famuyide suggests choosing a product with hyaluronic acid in it. If you’ve used one for a few months without improvement, she recommends asking your doctor for a low-dose estrogen-containing prescription that can be used topically, as an insert or orally. Talk to your doctor about any unwanted side effects, like spotting—but don’t stop treatment abruptly, as your symptoms are likely to return.
