Vaginal Dryness

What Is Vaginal Dryness ?

Vaginal dryness can cause pain during and after sex severe enough that you don’t want to even try. If this sounds familiar, reach out to the professional team at The Avery Center. Our board-certified OB/GYNs specialized in both traditional approaches to vaginal dryness and innovative, new techniques, such as vaginal laser therapy (Femilift) so you get the best care possible. If you live near Westport, Fairfield, or Norwalk, Connecticut, and are looking for a solution to your vaginal lubrication issues contact us for an appointment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness occurs when the ordinarily self-lubricating tissues of the vagina no longer produce enough fluids to keep the tissue healthy. A range of issues can cause it, the most common of which is a decrease in estrogen due to aging. Without adequate estrogen, the vaginal tissue thins and shrinks, losing elasticity. That makes the vagina drier and also makes sex less pleasurable and, in some cases, painful.

While a drop in estrogen is a normal part of menopause, other things can impact production of the hormone, such as:

Medications
Removal of the ovaries
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Severe stress
Excessive exercise
Breastfeeding

Irritants from soaps or laundry detergents, tampons, and condoms can also lead to vaginal dryness.

How Do You Treat Vaginal Dryness?

The severity of your vaginal dryness and the impact it has on your life determine how your OB/GYN recommends treating it. Using over-the-counter lubricants and vaginal moisturizing creams can improve day-to-day discomfort, while water-soluble vaginal lubricants can prevent pain and bleeding during sex. Your doctor may also recommend avoiding any vaginal irritants, including scented soaps, lotions, perfumes, and douches.

If you’re going through menopause — or have a significant drop in estrogen for a different reason — hormone replacement therapy may help. Safer than other estrogen treatments, hormone replacement for vaginal dryness is placed directly into the vagina, and the bloodstream only absorbs minuscule amounts. If you’re not a candidate for estrogen therapy or are looking for a more permanent solution, your doctor may recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which can revitalize vaginal tissues, or laser treatment with AlmaⓇ Laser’s FemiLift.

What is FemiLift?

The FemiLift is an innovative laser system your OB/GYN can use to improve vaginal changes that have occurred due to childbirth or aging. It can help with a wide range of issues, including:

Dryness
Looseness
Incontinence
Low libido
Structural irregularities

This cutting-edge technology uses fractional laser light to revitalize the skin and tissue in and around your vagina. The procedure is completed in one of the The Avery Center three offices and requires no anesthesia, no downtime, and only takes 10 minutes to complete.