Definition
Vaginal dryness is a characteristic - albeit not exclusive - symptom of women during and after menopause: it is a drying up of the vagina, expression of a more or less consistent hormonal alteration. Despite what has been said, ideally, all women could show insufficient vaginal lubrication, at every stage of life.
Causes
Among the symptoms of menopause, vaginal dryness is a condition complained of by many women, indicating the physiological decline of female fertility. In addition to menopause, vaginal dryness can be caused by atrophic vaginitis (inflammation of the vaginal walls). Given that vaginal dryness is closely related to hormonal changes, it is evident that pregnancy, lactation and administration of the contraceptive pill can also favor this condition.
- Risk factors: abuse of vaginal lavages, anti-estrogens (for the treatment of breast cancer), cold medications, drugs for treating allergies, drugs for treating depression, surgical removal of the ovaries, poor sexual arousal, stress
Symptoms
Vaginal dryness is characterized by the sensation of local dryness associated with itching, burning (often near the vaginal opening) and pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) with possible bleeding. Sometimes even urinary urgency is a secondary symptom of vaginal dryness.
Information on Vaginal Dryness - Drugs for Vaginal Dryness Treatment is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Vaginal Dryness - Drugs for Vaginal Dryness Treatment.
drugs
Vaginal dryness is a problem so much felt by the female world as being silent and hidden: often, the lack of vaginal lubrication is a cause of embarrassment, which becomes more accentuated and painful during sexual intercourse. A similar phenomenon, considered a real obstacle to the life of the couple, is not however insurmountable: in fact, the local application of specific gels with a lubricating action can resolve, albeit temporarily, the disturbance. Clearly, it is the duty of the gynecologist to investigate the cause of vaginal dryness: for example, the use of lubricating gel (sold without a prescription) is sufficient for women who are facing a particularly stressed period or who are taking the contraceptive pill.
NOTE: some contraceptive pills favor vaginal lubrication, while those with a very low dosage tend to inhibit it. Not all pills cause this disorder!
When vaginal dryness is due to deeper causes, just applying the gel may not be enough; a valid alternative is vaginal estrogen therapy, which consists in the application, directly into the vagina, of specific drugs formulated with estrogen. This estrogen therapy is much more advantageous than hormone replacement therapy, given that the value of hormones absorbed (almost minimal) does not negatively affect the testosterone quota: in other words, vaginal estrogen therapy does not affect sexual desire since they are not affected. serum testosterone levels (typical side effect of estrogen replacement therapy).
Vaginal estrogen therapy : this treatment can be performed by applying a cream directly in situ, or by inserting a vaginal ring or a vaginal tablet / egg:
- Estrogen-based vaginal cream (eg. Premarin, Colpotrophine, Estrace): the cream is inserted deeply into the vagina with the help of an applicator (generally, 1-2 grams of product are inserted), before going to bed. Normally, it is recommended to proceed with an application a day for 14 days, and then repeat the application every 3-4 days in the following weeks. Do not exceed 4 grams per day.
- Estrogen-based vaginal ring (eg Estring): the device can be inserted into the vagina by the doctor or by the woman herself, after being informed of all the indications useful for correct positioning. The ring releases a dose of estrogen useful to make up for the deficiency, keeping the vaginal walls lubricated.
- Estradiol vaginal tablets (eg Vagifem): particularly indicated for the treatment of vaginal dryness that accompanies menopause, the result of the physiological suppression of estrogen synthesis. Apply the tablet in the vagina, using a special disposable applicator. Initially, insert the tablet every night, before going to bed; then, apply the tablet every 2-3 days, as needed.
Non-hormonal pharmacological preparations (bench lubricants):
Topical application of creams, ointments or gels with an emollient and lubricating action ensures immediate relief from vaginal dryness, especially in the very young, whose vaginal estrogen therapy is not indicated. It is recommended that the creams used are water-based, since lipid-based (oily) preparations can damage the latex of the condom, as well as clearly upsetting the vaginal ecosystem. The products with moisturizing action act by mimicking vaginal secretions (eg Vidermina gel); some preparations have a duration of 2-3 days.
Hormone replacement therapy : when vaginal dryness is accompanied by other bothersome and recurrent symptoms - such as hot flushes (characteristic signs of menopause) - it is possible to take oral or transdermal administration of estrogens, which however negatively interfere with sexual desire of the woman.
- Estradiol (eg. Ephelia, Climara, Estrofem): a drug belonging to the estrogen class, whose indicative dosage for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in general, including vaginal dryness, suggests to administer max. 2 mg of drug a day.
Natural remedies for the treatment of vaginal dryness
Nature offers a wide range of plants, whose active ingredients are used to reduce symptoms related to vaginal dryness, in a completely natural way:
- Cimifuga racemosa
- Soy ( Glycine max ) and derivatives
- Red clover ( Trifolium pratense )
- Ginkgo biloba
The phytocomplex molecules of the plants listed above seem to mimic the therapeutic activity of estrogens which, as we know, in women with vaginal dryness are quite low.
