Almost 50% of women experience vaginal dryness within three years of menopause.
Women who are post -menopausal frequently begin to complain that as they get older, they do not want to have sex because it does not feel good. In fact, it becomes painful and that seems to be generally a situation where these women do not become lubricated.
There is a condition that Gynecologists encounter more often in women of a certain age, called vaginal atrophy. At least that used to be the common term for the condition. Now it is called genitourinary syndrome of menopause. (and no, it is not because they can charge more if they have a more difficult sounding name, it is because the condition impacts much more of a woman’s body and health than merely the vulva and the vagina.)
The vaginal tissue dries up and begins to crack. Because of vaginal dryness, these women do not experience the lubrication that is necessary for sex. If sex is attempted, it is painful, and they will resist having sex because they are not aroused, and their tissues hurt. The condition is ultimately caused because of a drop in the level of estrogen that a woman experiences as she ages. This is almost always a treatable condition and the symptoms can be alleviated. The question for doctors and their patients then becomes what is the best, most effective, and most economical treatment that achieves these results?
Almost 50% of women experience this condition within three years of menopause. They often are reluctant to speak to their doctor about the condition because it is embarrassing for them to discuss. What they may not know is that the two things that cause a drop-in lubrication, are a loss of Testosterone and estrogen. If only they could speak more freely with their doctors, they would discover that there are treatments that are affordable and simple.
Dr. Maupin says that if you can get your testosterone and estrogen levels back (hormone replacement treatments) will restore both your sense of desire and arousal, and your physical ability to be lubricated.
Dr. Maupin recommends a concept called systemic estrogen. What she finds most appropriate and helpful is a bioidentical compounded estrogen called estradiol which is only one of the two types of estrogen that women make. (the other being estrone). Estradiol. Listen to our podcast to hear the explanation of the differences between these two types of estrogen and the roles they play in your body and life. There are several different delivery methods that can be used to provide this estrogen replacement for your body. Listen and learn which ones Dr. Maupin recommends and why.
This Health cast was written and presented by Dr. Kathy Maupin, M.D., Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Expert and Author, with Brett Newcomb, MA., LPC., Family Counselor, Presenter and Author. www.BioBalanceHealth.com.
