Vaginal dryness is a common symptom during and after menopause, but it can happen at any age and for various reasons.
Vaginal dryness usually results from low estrogen levels. Estrogen is the hormone that keeps the lining of the vagina lubricated, thick, and elastic.
Vaginal dryness is a common problem, but many people do not seek help, as they may not realize it is a health issue for which they can get help.
It can lead to pain during intercourse, contributing to a loss of sexual desire. It can also cause discomfort during sports and other physical activity, and increase the risk of vaginal infections.
The following are 3 main causes of the dry or tight vagina in women.
1. You’re Stressed Out
According to Womenshealthmag, Stress takes the blame for a lot of health issues, and you can add vaginal dryness to the list. If it doesn’t temporarily kill your libido outright, feeling anxious or pressured can make it harder to get turned on, says Dweck. Once the stress lifts, your juices should start flowing.
2. Changes In Hormones.
One of the most common causes of vaginal dryness is a decrease in estrogen levels during menopause or perimenopause, after childbirth, or during breastfeeding, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation to the pelvis can also lead to low estrogen and a decrease in vaginal lubrication. “The vagina depends on estrogen for health,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD, director of S£xual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital and San Diego S£xual Medicine in California.
3. You’ve Been Drinking Alcohol.
According to Healthline, Alcohol dehydrates your body, and this affects your vagina. With less body water overall, alcohol leaves your body with less fluid available for lubrication.
Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant. This means that your nerve endings aren’t as sensitive as they are when you aren’t drinking.
As a result, the mind-body connection may not be as effective in stimulating vaginal lubrication as it usually is.