What you need to know

Menopause is the moment when your rules have stopped for 12 months in a row. It is characterized by a decrease in the production of the estrogen hormone, which can cause hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings or sleep problems.

Menopause also generally leads to vaginal changes, in particular drought, discomfort or visible changes around your vulva (the outdoor area surrounding your vagina), lip mirrors or inside your vaginal channel.

When your estrogen levels drop during menopause, the mucosa of your vagina becomes thinner and less stretch. You lose collagen, elastin and fat as you age, which can lead to visible and physical changes in your vulva. You may also notice that your pubic hair is starting to stop.

More specifically, you may notice changes in these parts of your body:

• Vagina: Rugal folds (natural ridges that help your vagina stretch) can smooth and flatten, leaving more delicate tissues.
• Urethra: The fabric of your urethra (the tube that carries the urine of your body) can become dry and irritated.
• Clitoris: This small sensitive organ above your urethral opening can shrink. You can also live clitoridator phimose Or membership, when your clitoral hood is tightening and does not retract to exhibit the clitoris as easily. This can cause irritation and sexual problems.

Estrogens also help maintain a healthy vaginal pH and vaginal flora (microbiome), the balance of the bacteria of your vagina. When estrogens drop, the vagina becomes less acidic, which facilitates the growth of harmful bacteria.

This change in pH increases your risk of common infections, such as urinary tract infections (urinary tract infections) and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Lower estrogen levels during menopause can lead to visible changes in lip mirains, inner lips (folds) of the vulva.

Your interior lips can become more flat or thinner, and the skin may seem pale, smooth or fragile. In some cases, labial atrophy can occur, where lip mirans shrink so much that they seem to disappear.

In serious cases, the skin of the lips can become so slim that it remains together, an affection called labial adhesion.

In some people, lip minors may seem greater than before. This can happen when the Labia Majora (external folds) lose volume and no longer cover the inner lips as they did.

These changes occur because estrogen help keep your vulvar tissues thick, elastic and well hydrated. As estrogens decrease, the fabric loses volume and becomes more fragile.

Menopause changes in your vagina and vulvar area can cause symptoms that affect your comfort, confidence and your daily life. The effects are often known as Menopause genitarin syndrome (GSM).

The GSM is a common condition that affects 50 to 75% of people during menopause. This can cause vaginal discomfort, pain during sex and urinary symptoms.

Vaginal and drought irritation

You can notice vaginal irritation and itching or a dry and tight sensation. This feeling can become more noticeable when walking, sitting it, wiping or wearing tight clothes.

Painful sex

As the vaginal walls become thinner, your body also decreases the production of vaginal liquids, reducing your natural lubrication. During intercourse, these changes can cause burns or tingling.

These painful symptoms can occur due to tiny tears that can occur in your vaginal fabric from increased friction, which is caused by the decrease in lubrication and slim vaginal tissue.

Odors

You can also notice new vaginal odors, often due to the change in pH and the loss of some of the protective bacteria that normally live in your vagina. A different odor may not be anything to fear, but contact a health care provider if you notice a shame and foul smell. This could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis.

Single or erased skin

You may notice that the skin around your vulva or your lips flakes or peels, especially during wiping, washing or sex. Vaginal atrophy generally causes this loss because dry and dry tissues are more easily decomposed.

Urinary symptoms

Urinary symptoms may involve:

• A strong and sudden desire to urinate, even if your bladder is not full
• Frequent mirin, including alarm clock at night to pee
• Irritation or sensitivity around your urethral opening
• Picoting or burn by pee

Continuous urinary symptoms, as well as cloudy or nauseating urine, can be signs of urinary tract infection. If you think you have a urinary tract infection, it is important to consult a doctor.

There are several ways to reduce your symptoms if they cause you discomfort:

Moisturizers and lubricants

Vaginal moisturizers and personal lubricants are methods that you can try at home without a temporary relief prescription.

The moisturizers restore hydration and improve the quality of the tissues. Lubricants reduce friction during sex to alleviate pain and discomfort. Many people benefit from the use of both.

Prescription drugs

A health professional can recommend prescription treatments, such as:

• Intrarosa (Prasterone): This prescription vaginal insert contains dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid that your body converts into estrogen.
• OSPENE (Ospemefifene): This non-estrogen oral medication improves vaginal tissues.
• Systemic hormones: Oral drugs, skin patches and estrogen or progesterone injections can help treat the wider symptoms of menopause.
• Vaginal estrogens: Available as a cream, tablet or flexible ring, this medication works locally in the vagina.
• Hyaluronic acid compounds: This non -hormonal substance can hydrate and improve tissue health.

Vaginal dilators

Vaginal dilators are gentle silicone devices that gently stretch your vaginal fabrics. They can help if you have a tender or a narrowing of your vaginal channel, which can cause discomfort during penetrating sex or pelvic examinations.

Vaginal dilators can be very useful, especially when associated with moisturizers or estrogen therapy.

Pelvic soil physical therapy

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is an option of support for vaginal and urinary health. A trained physiotherapist can help relax pelvic muscles tightened by stretching, breathing exercises and manual therapy. This can improve your physical comfort and help you with urinary symptoms.

Menopause can cause vaginal and vulvar changes due to lower estrogen levels. You may notice the slimming of your vaginal walls, the narrowing of the mirans of your lips and drought, irritation or pain during sex and urination.

Moisturizers, lubricants and estrogens can help. Talk to your health care provider to find the best treatment for your needs, your comfort and your well-being.