From 18 to 50 years old almost 17% of ladies are faced with the problem of vaginal dryness, at least during lovemaking. With age, the likelihood of deficiency of vaginal lubrication increases.
One in four women aged 50 to 60 years suffers from a lack of this precious fluid while making love, and 16% complain that it causes them pain. But what could be the reason?
Vaginal
Normal vagina should be dry, its mucosa and the cervical canal and the fallopian tubes require constant moisture. Why vaginal there is always, in any women, at any age.
Vaginal (or vaginal) the secret — the result of several glands located ahead of the vagina, in the cervix and in the fallopian tubes. In addition, although the vagina glands to produce lubrication has no optimal composition of the lubricant is maintained with the de transudation — the penetration of the liquid portion of blood through the capillary walls and access to the vaginal cavity. The transudate is a white (a bit grey) lac viscous liquid with slightly acidic or acidic pH (3.0 and 5.0).
Continually produced by the vaginal lubricant with an acidic pH protects the woman from infection and "washes away" the dead epithelial cells, keeping the vagina clean.
Daily women's body produces from 1 to 5 ml of vaginal fluid. This amount varies depending on the health of women, phases of her menstrual cycle, sexual activity and even the quality of the actual sexual intercourse and other parameters.
What to replace vaginal?
Artificial lubrication for lovemaking are water and oil (fat) based. The second should not be used if you plan to use latex condoms, as the oil in lubricants can cause them to rupture. Should not be used as a lubricant vaseline, baby oil or baby creams — they are also not safe. And what exactly is not you should do is to use lubricant saliva. In the mouth there are numerous bacteria and fungi that will be only too happy to explore new territory. The benefit of vaginal mucosa, and even parched — the perfect place for their penetration.
Vaginal — slightly translucent, with a whitish hue rather colorless. Interestingly, it is individual for each person and may vary at change of the sexual partner. And its texture and flavor vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle and can vary even in the process of actual intercourse
- follicular phase vaginal secretions is almost transparent, more liquid, a volume of 1-2 ml a day (on the strip it looks like a spot with a diameter of 2-3 cm), almost odourless or with a very weak sour smell;
- phase of ovulation, the amount increases to 4 ml per day (the size of the spot on the strip — 5 cm), increased malleability, mucosae may appear beige shade;
- luteal phase — the secret to more viscous, kiselevtsy, yellowish tint.
It is important to know that if vaginal have gained color and distinct aroma — it's time to see a doctor.
The smell is the result of a too active life of bacteria and fungi living in the vagina.
At constant dryness of the vagina you experience the following symptoms:
- mucosa becomes thinner, the walls lose elasticity and can begin to bleed;
- during intercourse, the woman experiences discomfort (itching, burning) or even pain in severe cases itching and burning sensation she feels, even out of reach;
- even in the excitation process, the amount of mucus is not increased;
- due to the fact that the urethra is located near the vagina, you may experience frequent and painful urination.
If suddenly the secret was not enough, you should look for the reason why. We list the most common: some problems are solved quickly, while others require a trip to the doctor. The main thing — to Orient in time, what was going on in this particular case.
Dehydration — not the most rare because of a lack of vaginal secretions in a world where women sometimes sit on a quite strict diet, and sometimes the fitness goals of practicing so-called "drying". To dehydration can lead to active use of alcohol and prolonged exposure to heat.
The solution to the problem
To revise its water regime. Per day women should drink 2-2,5 liters of water in any form. If she additionally visits the gym, the liquid consumption may be higher. If we are talking about the deliberate reduction of water content in the body, it is necessary to understand that vaginal dryness is "bell" of the body, signaling that something goes wrong, and suffer the internal organs. Is it really so tough measures are needed against himself?
Hormonal balance
Sometimes vaginal dryness is a side effect of the processes natural to the body.
Production of mucus is the result of female sex hormones estrogens. If they are not enough, the production of mucus is disturbed, developed vaginal dryness.
Fluctuations in estrogen levels occur in the following cases:
- age-related atrophy of the vaginal walls and a reduction in mucus produced, usually develops during menopause and is one of its symptoms;
- decreased secretion of the glands is observed in pregnancy and breastfeeding of the child;
- some women complain about the shortage of vaginal secretions at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle — indeed, during this period, estrogen levels lower, but normal healthy woman should not suffer from dryness;
- any other conditions and diseases in which decreasing the levels of estrogen in the body.
The solution to the problem
The estrogen deficiency is treated by his introduction of the outside. This is done by vaginal rings that contain estrogen, vaginal estrogen cream or estrogen pills, which enter the vagina. Naturally, all of these methods to combat dryness must appoint a physician.
These funds have contraindications. For example, they should not be prescribed to women diagnosed with breast cancer or endometrium, patients with vaginal bleeding, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Medication
The reception of many drugs leads to a reduction in the production of vaginal secretions. For example, the most common oral contraceptives based on progesterone can cause vaginal dryness.
This list also includes drugs that inhibit the production of estrogen:
- cardiovascular drugs,
- antihypertensive drugs (to reduce pressure)
- antidepressants
- diuretics,
- antihistamines, and drugs having anti-estrogenic activity (to treat fibroids or endometriosis), etc.
The solution to the problem
If the cause of dryness is medication, you should check with is how long it should take. Normally generation of secret restored in a short time after discontinuation of the medication.
But sometimes you can't undo it, and in this case you can consult a gynecologist and use special means to moisturize the vagina.
The lack of a prelude to sexual intercourse
The average woman for full excitation is required 8-10 and sometimes even 15 minutes.
If the partner is in a hurry, then additional lubrication may not be able to be produced in the right amount, and the vagina will become dry in a short time after the beginning of the contact.
The solution to the problem
To discuss foreplay with your partner. It so happens that the man is in a hurry because he feared that he might "not make it" up to the point of full arousal of his partner.
In this case, you may want to consult an andrologist or a shop of the goods concerned on the subject of acquiring funds (gels, lubricants), allowing to delay the moment of orgasm.
Non-standard sexual act
Everything that goes beyond the average sexual intercourse, can cause dryness in the vagina.
The list can be endless, for example: too active and prolonged contact with a partner is too rough penetration, the use of accessories that are emotionally and physically reduce a woman's libido, an unusual setting, a psychological unwillingness of women to conduct sexual act in the moment, etc.
The solution to the problem
In this case, requires the participation of the sexual partner. If the woman is all non-standard in terms of sexual contact satisfied, you can use in lubricants — synthetic lubricants.
Reaction to hygiene products
It would seem, the purer the better? Not in the case of the vagina, which is an ecological niche for a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. In the norm all these organisms inhabit the vagina and maintain an acidic pH in it.
If you overdo it with personal hygiene products containing antibacterial ingredients (triclosan, for example), it is possible to destroy the entire flora: and harmful, and his home, useful. And it dries mucous membranes, disrupts the production of vaginal secretions.
The solution to the problem
To wash with only plain warm water, without using special tools with anti-bacterial components. Their use is permissible on the recommendation of a physician, normally the body has enough of the most common water treatments.
If there is any need to use such tools, they should be marked "hypoallergenic" and have a pH in the range 3.8 to 4.5, not more. Alkaline detergent with high pH (Soaps, lotions) to apply is not necessary. By the way, withering effect have also douching, vaginal shower, and swimming in the pool with bleach.
Bad habits
Smoking negatively affects the blood vessels and thus leads to deterioration of blood supply of all body organs, including pelvic organs. Practice shows that a few months after quitting Smoking the problem of vaginal dryness disappears. The negative impact of alcohol, which, as we mentioned above, contributes to dehydration.
The solution to the problem
If a woman is aware that she may be a shortage of lubricant in the course of sexual intercourse, better before it not to drink alcohol and to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. Possible, of course.
Disease
In some diseases and conditions is also a shortage of vaginal lubrication:
After removal of the ovaries reduces the level of estrogen produced, and, consequently, reduced the production of vaginal fluid. When developing Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune connective tissue.
There are irregularities in the various glands of external secretion, including those who are involved in the development of vaginal secretions. In these patients the dryness is celebrated not only in the mouth, nose, skin and vagina.
- On the background of the cancer treatment methods of radiation and chemotherapy.
- With endometriosis.
- When the menstrual cycle for any reason.
- On the background of inflammatory process in vagina, and urethra.
- Allergic reaction to condoms and other means to prevent pregnancy and infections during lovemaking, including spermicides.
The solution to the problem
In the presence of pathology of any kind which may cause vaginal dryness you should discuss this problem with your doctor. In any case you should not try to fix it yourself. The disease limits the choice and can cause unpredictable reaction to something moisturizing.