Conditions and Management

Vaginal dryness is a common and frustrating problem, particularly when it impacts a woman’s ability to enjoy sex. Here is a look at what you need to know about vaginal dryness and the pain during intercourse it often causes.

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

The walls of the vagina are normally coated by a thin layer of moisture in which sperm can survive and travel to facilitate sexual reproduction. These secretions also serve to lubricate the vaginal walls to reduce friction during sexual intercourse.

As women age, hormone production changes can cause the walls of the vagina to thin, which means that fewer cells are available to secrete moisture. The result is often vaginal dryness.

It may also be caused by a range of other issues, such as the use of certain medications, alcohol consumption, smoking, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and psychological issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety.

Relief From Vaginal Dryness and Pain During Intercourse

If you are experiencing regular vaginal dryness, the best course of action is to identify its cause and eliminate it. However, this is not always possible. If your dryness is caused by douching or laundry detergent, discontinuing your use of these products may be enough to turn the problem around. For those whose dryness is linked to surgery or needed medication, however, the solution may be a little more complicated.

Vaginal Lubricants

One good solution for many women is a vaginal lubricant. There are many different brands on the market that are designed for use prior to and during sexual activity. However, it is important to choose those that are water or silicone-based. Some products contain petroleum, which can damage the latex that makes up condoms or diaphragms and render them ineffective. In addition, petroleum allows bacteria to thrive and potentially lead to infection. For this reason, products like baby oil and Vaseline should also be avoided.

Although lubricants come in many different varieties, including warming and edible formulations, it is important to keep in mind that not all of these products are gentle on vaginal tissue. Those that contain colors, scents, and herbal extracts may be particularly irritating to women who are already experiencing dryness. Women who do not feel comfortable purchasing these products in person can order them online.

Vaginal Moisturizer

There are also commercial vaginal moisturizer products on the market that are designed to help the tissue of the vagina to regain moisture as well as elasticity. It is important to follow the instructions on the package; some products may need to be used a few times a week across a period of a few months to achieve the desired effect. These types of products can also be used as a lubricant prior to sex in some cases, but be sure to consult the label.

Vaginal Dryness and Painful Sex

Persistent or recurring pain that occurs before, during, and/or after sex is known as dyspareunia, and it is not uncommon. For some women, pain may be felt externally at the vaginal lips or opening, while some experience internal pain in the lower abdomen, uterus, or cervix.

Unfortunately, this physical pain can lead women to avoid sex, and the loss of intimacy can put a strain on relationships. Therefore, it is important to seek help in determining the underlying cause of the pain so it can be corrected. Although it can sometimes be embarrassing to talk about, it is something that affects as many as 20 percent of American women at some point in their lives and is often easy to treat.

Many times, finding the cause of pain and dryness and finding ways to address it is sufficient. However, there may be other problems behind the pain and dryness that require medical care. For example, uterine fibroids can cause deep pain during intercourse, as can infections of the cervix. Sexually transmitted infections may also cause dryness or pain during sex, and treating them can make it go away. When vaginal dryness is a result of menopause, estrogen creams and other products may provide relief.

It is important to talk openly with your doctor about pain you experience during sexual intercourse. Be prepared to provide details about where the pain occurs, how often it happens and how long you have been experiencing it. They will also ask you about any medications you are taking or prior surgeries you have had in the area.

Reach Out to the Women’s Healthcare Team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you are experiencing vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse, get in touch with the women’s healthcare team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness. We can help you determine the underlying cause of these issues and find a solution for managing or treating it so you can resume normal sexual activity.

Vaginal dryness is a frequent problem that can lead to discomfort and itching. For some women, it can also cause pain during sexual intercourse and lead to a lack of interest in sex. Many women feel uncomfortable discussing vaginal dryness with their doctor, which means they may continue to suffer from something that is usually fairly easy to treat. Here is a look at the common causes of vaginal dryness and when you should contact a doctor.

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

Outlined below are some of the top causes of vaginal dryness.

Reduced Estrogen Levels Due to Aging

One of the main causes of vaginal dryness is dropping estrogen levels. As women age, their bodies produce less of this hormone until menstruation ceases in a phase known as perimenopause. In this sense, vaginal dryness is inevitable as women age.

Other Medical Conditions That Impact Estrogen Levels

There are other conditions that may lead to a decrease in the production of estrogen besides aging. These include childbirth, breastfeeding, certain immune system disorders, and some types of cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation in the pelvic area. It is also common in women who have had their ovaries surgically removed.

Psychological Causes

For some women, the source of vaginal dryness may be psychological. Our bodies carry stress and anxiety in many ways, and this can sometimes be manifested in intimate health. Depression and excessive stress can both affect the flow of blood to the vagina. This impacts the amount of lubrication your body naturally produces, which can result in vaginal dryness and painful sex.

It can also set off inflammatory processes within the body that affect blood flow and the nervous system transmission needed to spur vaginal lubrication. This may also lead to low libido, which may be caused by anxiety and stress on their own as well as painful sex due to vaginal dryness.

Smoking

Smoking is another common cause of vaginal dryness. It affects blood flow in the genital area, decreasing lubrication and potentially impacting the ability to reach orgasm.

In addition, female smokers often enter menopause earlier than women who do not smoke, which means they can experience vaginal dryness linked to menopause at a younger age.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the entire body, including the vagina. Having less body water overall means there is less fluid available to lubricate the vagina. In addition, because alcohol serves as a central nervous system depressant, your nerve endings will not be as sensitive while you are under the influence of alcohol as they are when there is no alcohol in your system. Therefore, the mind-body connection might not be able to stimulate vaginal lubrication as effectively as usual.

Medications

There are several types of medications that can cause vaginal dryness. Birth control pills that lower estrogen levels can have this effect. Antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors alter the communication between your brain and your nerve cells, which can slow the communication between the vagina and the brain and lead to a reduction in lubrication. It is particularly pronounced in those who take higher doses of antidepressants.

Antihistamines, commonly given to those with allergies, are another medication that can cause vaginal dryness. Although they are very good at drying out excess nasal mucus, they can also have this effect on the vagina because they block the response in charge of regulating the neurotransmitters that are responsible for vaginal lubrication.

Douches and Other Hygiene Products

For some women, vaginal dryness can be traced to douching. In addition to removing bacteria that is needed for a healthy pH balance in the vagina, these products also contain perfumes and other irritating ingredients that may be drying to the tissues of the vagina. Experts recommend avoiding douching because it is not necessary and often causes more harm than good.

Allergies to certain products could also be the culprit. Consider the detergents, fabric softeners, and other products used to wash your underwear. If you are using scented toilet paper or heavily scented lotions, consider discontinuing their use to see if the problem clears up.

Get in Touch With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

Vaginal dryness is very common and often not a cause for concern, so it is not always necessary to seek medical help. For many women, identifying the source of the dryness and correcting it can provide relief, whether it is changing detergents or avoiding certain medications. A vaginal moisturizer can often provide relief as well.

However, if your dryness lasts longer than a week or it is accompanied by severe itching, persistent swelling, or bleeding after sex, it’s a good idea to discuss your symptoms with a doctor. The women’s healthcare team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness can help you identify the source of your dryness and find a solution that provides relief. Contact us today for an appointment.

Pregnancy and giving birth change women’s bodies in many ways, but it is not always obvious which effects will improve with time and which need to be addressed by professionals. Many women believe that problems like pelvic pain, leakage, or other issues are simply part of giving birth and do not mention them to their doctor. This is unfortunate because these are all issues that can often be solved with pelvic floor therapy.

What Is The Pelvic Floor?

The pelvic floor can be thought of as being like a hammock that holds several important elements of the body in place.

The pelvic floor is responsible for the following key areas:

Support

The pelvic floor has collections of connective tissues, ligaments, bones, and muscles that hold everything in place structurally, such as when your body supports a baby growing inside of it.

Sexual

This area encompasses arousal, lubrication, penetration, pain syndromes, nerve impingement, and vulvar care.

Sphincter

The pelvic floor is responsible for the circular muscles that control gas and help to hold in waste.

Lymphatics

Lymphatics are responsible for pumping and regulating the flow of fluids throughout the entire body.

The pelvic floor is extremely important to women’s health. In fact, in some countries, it is officially recognized as a medically necessary aspect of postpartum healing and women are routinely given advice and instructions on strengthening their pelvic floor after giving birth.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a type of treatment aimed at addressing weakness, pain, and dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles. It involves performing techniques and movements that have proven effective in addressing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Who Needs Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Many first-time moms do not realize which aspects of their postpartum experience are normal and which ones require additional attention. However, even typical postpartum symptoms can be improved by physical therapy. These include pelvic and tailbone pain, bowel and urinary incontinence, leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing or laughing that does not improve, and diastasis recti, or the separation of abdominal muscles.

Another problem that can be helped by postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy is pain during intercourse. Because many women wait to have sex until after getting the go-ahead from their doctor at their six-week or eight-week postpartum checkup, they will not know if they are experiencing pain during intercourse until after their appointment. Many are unlikely to follow up if things don’t improve.

Postpartum sex can vary significantly from person to person, although most women report experiencing some sort of sexual problem within their first three months after giving birth. For some, it will improve as they try again and continue to heal, but for others, it may not get better.

Some of the problems in a vaginal birth that can make penetration painful include tears and episiotomies that create tightness due to scar tissue. Scars from C-sections can also feel uncomfortable and tight. A few sessions of pelvic floor therapy can help correct these issues.

Do Women Who Have Had C-Sections Need Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

It is important to keep in mind that a C-section is a type of abdominal surgery, and like all surgeries, it requires adequate rehabilitation to get back to normal. Because the doctor separates the rectus abdominis muscle to deliver the baby, there is a risk of scar tissue immobility that can lead to feelings of tension near the incision as the body heals and normal activities like lifting and squatting are resumed. A pelvic floor physical therapist can teach women the proper ways to move and lift items to ease strain and promote healing.

How Long Does Pelvic Floor Treatment Take?

The length of time needed for a successful course of pelvic floor physical therapy varies depending on the woman, her age, and the condition being addressed. However, for many women, problems like urinary incontinence and diastasis recti can be addressed with seven to eight visits, while tailbone or pelvic pain may take longer to correct.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

Getting pelvic floor therapy may be the last thing on your mind after having a baby. Life is hectic enough in those early days, and the thought of fitting sessions in around sleep schedules and feeding a baby while juggling going back to work and childcare can be daunting.

However, it is worth taking the time for self-care to address the issue as soon as possible. Scar tissue can build up over time and pull or restrict normal organ movement within the body, causing adhesions to the bladder or bowel that can affect your ability to go to the bathroom normally.

Get in Touch With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you are experiencing any postpartum issues or symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, reach out to Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today. Our women’s healthcare professionals can provide a diagnosis and discuss treatment options to help you regain normal functioning and restore your pelvic floor.

Our pelvic floor muscles are prone to dysfunction, particularly as we age. These muscles, which stretch from the pubic bone to the tailbone, work hard to support the bowel, bladder, and uterus. However, there are lots of factors that can work against them, such as lifting too much weight, forcing too much while on the toilet, chronic coughing, performing high-impact exercise, gaining weight, giving birth, or simply getting older.

If you are experiencing any type of pelvic floor disorder, pelvic floor therapy can help you restore normal function. Much like traditional physical therapy, this involves working with a therapist to perform movements aimed at speeding recovery. However, you will also be instructed to perform certain movements and exercises at home.

Exercises For Pelvic Floor Therapy At Home

Before you begin any pelvic floor exercise routine, it is best to check with your doctor or physical therapist to make sure you are performing the right movements. With that in mind, here is a rundown of the types of exercises you may be advised to perform by your pelvic floor therapist.

The first exercise you can try involves lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. From this position, you need to lift your knees toward your chest. To do this, you should place your hands behind both of your knees and draw them to your chest while separating them. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then repeat two more times.

The next move also begins with you lying on your back with your knees bent. Cross the ankle of the leg you are going to stretch over the opposite knee and then put your arm around your thigh. Bring the thigh toward your stomach until you can feel stretching in your buttocks. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then repeat twice before moving on to perform the entire stretch on the other side.

For the next exercise, get into a crawling position and push your bottom toward your feet with your head resting against the floor and your arms extended forward. Keep your hands on the floor and inhale, allowing your pelvic floor muscles to stretch. This stretch should be held for two to three minutes.

The next movement begins in a seated position. Sit with one leg bent toward your chest and crossed across the opposite leg. Then, using your arm, pull the bent knee toward the opposite shoulder. Be sure to keep your back straight throughout the movement; you should feel stretching behind your thigh as well as in your buttocks. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat it three times. Then, repeat all of the steps with the other side of your body. This stretch should be done three to four times per day.

For the next move, you need to lie face down. Push yourself up with both of your hands positioned at shoulder height, straightening your elbows, and lifting your upper trunk until you notice a stretching feeling in your abdomen. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds, making sure your legs and pelvis remain relaxed throughout the movement, and then repeat three times.

The next move should be performed lying down on a firm bed or a table. Lie on your back with your legs dangling over the side and place your hands behind one knee and draw it toward your chest. While you are pulling the knee inward, stretch your opposite leg toward the floor. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds and then repeat two more times. Then, perform the same movements on the other side.

For the next move, stand up with your legs astride and straight. Then, bend one of your legs and put your hands on the knee of the bent leg. Continue to bend, placing weight on the leg until you feel stretching inside your thigh and on the straight leg. Hold this position for 30 seconds and repeat two times before moving on to stretch the other leg.

Diaphragm Breathing

Another important exercise your physical therapist may recommend for pelvic floor therapy at home is diaphragm breathing. To do this, lie down on your back on a firm bed or table with your knees bent and both of your hands resting on the upper part of your stomach.

Breathe in slowly through your nose and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Every time you inhale, the hands on your stomach should rise; each time you exhale, your hands should go down. Practice this three times per day for five minutes at a time.

Get In Touch With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

Pelvic floor dysfunction can be a frustrating problem, but pelvic floor therapy is highly effective for many women. To find out more about pelvic floor therapy at home and the right treatment options to help you restore normal function, make an appointment today with the women’s healthcare team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness.

Nearly a quarter of all women will experience some form of pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their life, whether it is urinary or fecal incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse and related conditions. Nearly half of these women will start to notice uncomfortable symptoms by the time they are in their 60s.

Although pelvic floor dysfunction is relatively common, you should not dismiss it as a normal part of aging that needs to be accepted. Pelvic floor dysfunction is often treatable with pelvic floor therapy, a very effective approach that has helped many women restore normal function.

Here is a look at what doctors want women to know about pelvic floor therapy.

What Is The Pelvic Floor?

First, it is important to understand the anatomy involved in pelvic floor therapy. In short, the pelvic floor consists of the muscles supporting the vagina, uterus, rectum, and bladder. These muscles play a role in a woman’s sexual health and can be weakened by childbirth as well as age-related hormonal changes.

Second, when the pelvic muscles weaken to the point that they can no longer offer adequate support and control, women may experience urinary or fecal leakage. Another issue that may arise is prolapse, which occurs when the vagina and other organs in the pelvis drop into the vaginal opening.

How Can You Tell If You Need Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Some of the more common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include difficulty emptying the bowels during bowel movements, the feeling of a vaginal bulge, and urinary and fecal incontinence. Another potential sign of prolapse is the sensation that something is falling out of your vagina.

Women are urged to report these symptoms to their doctors when they become bothersome or start to interfere with their quality of life because these conditions are highly treatable for most women.

Many doctors report that women tend to minimize their symptoms and dismiss them as a normal part of life. For example, some women may tell themselves that experiencing pain during intercourse is normal or that leaking urine is not that unusual, while others may dismiss changes in their body because they have recently had a baby. However, many of these problems can be corrected with the right treatment and support.

What Happens If You Do Not Get Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Problems like incontinence and leakage may be annoying, but they are not life-threatening, prompting many women to believe that they can skip pelvic floor therapy. Although avoiding treatment is unlikely to have a negative impact on your health, it is important to understand that these problems can worsen over time. This can create additional damage and discomfort that could make it harder to enjoy daily activities and may mean that it will be more difficult to correct when you do seek help.

What Does Pelvic Floor Therapy Entail?

In pelvic floor physical therapy, women are guided through pelvic floor muscle relaxation, coordination, and strengthening exercises aimed at treating tightness, weakness, and other problems. The goal is to retain the normal strength and tone of the pelvic floor muscles so that they are able to once again support and control normal urination, sexual function, and bowel movements.

This therapy is carried out in a private treatment room with a pelvic floor therapist on a one-on-one basis. The therapist can provide different exercises, techniques, and other therapeutic modalities to address your unique symptoms. You will also be provided with advice on exercises and equipment that can be used at home to help you progress.

Who Should Get Pelvic Floor Therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is often the first course of treatment for women who are experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction such as prolapse, incontinence, and painful intercourse because it is minimally invasive and can be very effective.

How Long Does It Take?

The recommended course of treatment depends on each individual’s specific diagnosis, goals, and the severity of their problem, but one weekly visit across eight weeks is a common course of pelvic floor physical therapy treatment. For some women, it may take longer to return to their ideal level of functioning.

Recovery is a very individual process, and it will take place at different speeds for different women. Women will usually notice improvements after a few pelvic floor therapy sessions. If they do not notice any changes, the therapist can make adjustments to help them.

For many women, pelvic floor therapy can change their lives dramatically, whether it means returning to their favorite sport, being able to start a family, or simply making it through each day without experiencing incontinence.

Learn More About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

If you are experiencing painful intercourse, incontinence, or any other symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse or dysfunction, contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness to schedule your appointment.