Aging can be frustrating, especially when you age down there. Normal vaginal conditions change when women go through menopause. Unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid this. Your entire body is aging, including the vagina, and you will begin to experience the following symptoms of vaginal aging.
Dryness/Discomfort
The vagina’s condition is moist when you are younger. This enables pain-free sexual activity during your child-bearing years. As you enter into peri-menopause and post-menopause, you will notice that the vagina is much dryer than it used to be. You will have a hard time with moisture down there because you are not producing as much estrogen as you used to produce. In addition, sex may become painful and uncomfortable because there is not enough natural lubrication to facilitate intercourse.
Vaginal Laxity
Sex may also feel different and uncomfortable because your vaginal walls have loosened. This is called vaginal laxity, and age can cause it. Menopause can also loosen the vaginal walls. If you have had children, your vaginal walls may also become lax. You can do exercises to strengthen the vaginal walls and restore some of their tightness. We can recommend specific exercises for your individual case.
Vaginal Prolapse
In severe cases, you may suffer from vaginal prolapse when you get older. The top of the vagina that meets the cervix is called the vaginal vault. As your pelvic muscles weaken, this vault can collapse into the vagina. The loose pelvic floor can also adjust the positioning of other pelvic organs. It’s a good idea to start a pelvic floor exercise routine once you enter into peri-menopause. This keeps the floor strong.
Vulvar Dystrophy
Unfortunately, the vaginal vault is not the only thing that can start to sag when you get older. Your vulva, the flaps of skin that surround the urethra and vagina will also start to sag as you age. This is called vulvar dystrophy. Many women find this uncomfortable. It also changes the appearance down there, as does an age-related sagging of the labia, and you may not feel as sexy as you used to feel.
Urinary Incontinence
Finally, as you have learned, the pelvic floor muscles weaken as you get older and this causes problems with the vagina, vulva, and labia. It can also create a problem with urination. Unfortunately, most women experience some form of urinary incontinence after they have entered into menopause.
We can help with all of the above including treatments for your vaginal dryness and laxity, vulvar and labial laxity, and urinary incontinence. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
