Vaginal dryness is a common symptom experienced by 30% of women, although during menopause estimates are closer to 50%.
Vaginal dryness is the result of decreased levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen keeps the lining of the vagina lubricated and elasticated.
Reduced oestrogen can be caused by varying factors, with menopause being the leading cause but also childbirth, side effects of multiple medications, depression, excessive exercise and smoking are also contributing factors.
The most upsetting issue that arises from vaginal dryness is that is can cause pain and discomfort during sex. This can lead to a fear or lack of interest in sex which can be disruptive to relationships as well as undermine confidence and intimacy.
Vaginal dryness can also cause discomfort during exercise and while inserting tampons.
Aside from psychological issues, vaginal dryness can lead to physical damage due to abrasions and chaffing which can be sore and painful.
HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is the go-to treatment for menopausal symptoms (including vaginal dryness) but many women today are choosing not to take HRT due to health concerns associated with it.
There are ways to address vaginal dryness aside from HRT, and these methods can also be used by women with vaginal dryness who are not in menopause.
Here are 5 tips to help reduce vaginal dryness of you are not on HRT;
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Vaginal prebiotics & lubricants
The vaginal skin becomes thinner and more brittle with age. In addition after childbirth vaginal skin can be stretched and damaged.
Intimate lubricants containing skin prebiotics designed specifically for vaginal use can help repair the damage and improve elasticity in internal vaginal skin as well as providing additional vaginal lubrication.
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Vaginal Antioxidants
We have all heard about the importance of antioxidants for anti-ageing. Antioxidants mop up free radical damage that causes ageing of the skin and most beauty skincare products contain them.
Like skin anywhere else on the body or on the face, vaginal skin also ages.
Vaginal moisturisers containing antioxidants designed for vaginal use can help slow down the ageing process of vaginal skin, which helps improves moisture levels and elasticity and reduces thinning and weakening of the vaginal skin.
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Restoring vaginal pH
Vaginal pH is lower than normal skin pH so using normal skin washes or soaps on vaginal skin, even those designed for sensitive skin, is likely to end up upsetting the pH of the vagina.
When the vaginal pH is upset this can lead to itching and skin damage from an increase in bacteria or fungus that breeds more easily in the disturbed pH environment of the vagina.
Once the skin is damaged, dryness often follows as vaginal moisture is lost through damage to the thin vaginal skin.
Washes designed with a pH which is specifically suited to the lower pH of the vagina can help restore or maintain vaginal pH balance to reduce or prevent itching and abrasions and the subsequent dryness caused by an increase in fungal or bacterial growth in the vagina.
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Natural progesterone cream
Natural progesterone creams is are a recently popular way to address mostly vaginal dryness and hormonal fluctuations relating to low mood and vaginal dryness outside menopause and for women who do not want to take HRT during menopause.
Although you can get progesterone creams without prescription as they are not classed as HRT or medicines, it’s not recommended that you take them without consulting your gynaecologist as they can have some side effects.
However, used in the right doses and for limited periods of time, natural progesterone creams can considerably help reduce vaginal dryness as well as improve low mood.
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High dose Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays an important role in the formation of collagen as well as being a precursor for the production of oestrogen. High dose daily vitamin C (1000mg) can help increase collagen production and contribute towards maintaining production of oestrogen.
Our almost 100% natural and perfume-free In2mate Skincare products help replenish vaginal dryness and restore vaginal health
Vaginal repairing prebiotics
In2mate skincare contains a patented prebiotic Biolin ®, proven to feed good flora in the vagina. Biolin ® also repairs and strengthens vaginal skin damaged by age-related thinning, chaffing and abrasions.
Vaginal anti-ageing antioxidants
In2mate products are one of the first intimate skincare products to contain a patented antioxidant PROTEOLEA® which has been proven to help rejuvenate delicate areas of skin by slowing down age-related damage. This process helps improve flexibility and moisturisation.
Natural lubrication
In2mate products contain natural lubricant Levan, a natural plant fructose that protects plants against damage from frost and drought by locking in moisture via the formation of a natural micro film over the plant’s surface.Used on the skin it does the same thing, helping lock in moisture and giving skin a smoother more slippery feel.
The right vaginal pH
In2mate products keep vaginal at a pH of 4.5 or below. Normal skin is not as acidic as the vagina. Any product whether it’s a moisturiser, lubricant or wash will also be in contact with skin near the vagina. So In2mate have struck a healthy balance between the skin around the vagina and the tissue within. 4.5 is the perfect pH ‘balance’ because it’s not too high for the vagina and not too low for the skin.
The In2Mate skincare range is over 99% natural and VEGAN and includes a gentle, non-perfumed intimate wash, a light non-sticky non-perfumed intimate moisturiser and a natural-feeling non-perfumed rejuvenating lubricant.
