Don’t ignore the changes of menopause

As your estrogen levels drop during menopause, you may notice some changes in your vagina. The walls of your vagina may become thinner and drier, making them more susceptible to irritation and abrasion. As a result, sexual intercourse may cause pain or bleeding. The delicate pH of your vagina also may be disturbed, paving the way for yeast and bacterial infections.

Although you may feel uncomfortable talking about these changes, you should report them to your doctor immediately. Like other effects of menopause, vaginal changes are highly individual. They’re sudden and severe in some women, gradual and barely noticeable in others. Your gynecologist can recommend a course of action to meet your needs.

Yes, there are many ways to combat postmenopausal vaginal changes. Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), for example, can reverse even the most severe vaginal symptoms by boosting your hormones to their premenopausal levels.

Other solutions Estrogen cream, applied directly to the vagina, also keeps the walls moist and prevents them from thinning. Just be sure not to use too much. Using full applicators can be not only wasteful but also harmful because estrogen is absorbed in the vagina very rapidly. Over-the-counter lubricants are another option for fighting dryness. A simple and natural way to keep moisture flowing to the vagina is to keep up regular sexual activity. If you maintain sexual activity, it will help the vagina maintain its capacity to stretch and allow you to continue to have comfortable intercourse. If you don’t, the vagina will actually shrink. In fact, it can shrink to the size of one finger. So if you’ve been without a partner for years after menopause, you may have a difficult time resuming sexual activity.

Safeguarding vaginal health

To further deal with the vaginal changes of menopause, do the following:

• Use mild, nondeodorant and fragrance-free soap or cleansing bars–or just clear water.
• Don’t use personal hygiene sprays, which can irritate sensitive vaginal tissues.
• Since dampness can cause bacteria to multiply, be sure to dry thoroughly after a shower or bath.
• Wear panties made of cotton, which “breathes” better than synthetic fabrics and lets moisture evaporate.
• Switch to cotton-crotch panty hose and try not to wear them for extended periods of time.
• Avoid antihistamines, which can dry out the mucous membranes in the vagina.