18 to 50 years old almost 17% of women are faced with the problem of vaginal dryness, at least during lovemaking. With age, the probability of lack of vaginal lubrication increases.
One in four women aged 50 to 60 years suffer from this precious fluid during lovemaking, and 16% complain that it causes them pain. But what could be the reason?
Vaginal
A normal vagina is dry, its mucosa and the cervical canal and the fallopian tubes require constant moisture. Why the vagina is always, where any woman at any age.
The vagina (or the vagina) the secret — the result of several glands located above the vagina, cervix and fallopian tubes. In addition, although the vaginal glands to produce the lubrication is not optimal composition of the lubricant is maintained de transudation — the penetration of the liquid part of the blood through the capillary walls and access to the vaginal cavity. It transudate is white (slightly gray) lac viscous liquid, which is slightly acidic or acidic pH (3.0 and 5.0).
Constantly produce vaginal lubricant, which is the acidic pH protects the woman from infection and "washes away" the dead epithelial cells, to keep the vagina clean.
Daily women's body produces 1 to 5 ml of vaginal fluid. This amount varies depending on the health of women, phases of her menstrual cycle, sexual activity and even the quality of the actual sexual intercourse and other parameters.
What to order for the vagina?
Artificial lubrication to make love are the water and oil (fat). Secondly, should not be used if you intend to use latex condoms, as oil, lubricants can cause them to rupture. Should not be used in lubricant vaseline, baby oil or baby lotions — they are also not safe. And what is you should do, is to use a lubricant of saliva. In the mouth there are numerous bacteria and fungi, who will be only too happy to explore new areas. Benefits of the vaginal mucosa, and even parched — the perfect place for their distribution.
Vagina — slightly translucent, the pale tone quite colorless. Interesting, it is unique for each person, and it can vary from a change of sexual partner. And its texture and taste will vary depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle and can vary even in the process of real intercourse
- the follicular phase of vaginal secretions is almost transparent, more liquid, a volume of 1-2 ml per day (strip it looks like a spot with a diameter of 2-3 cm), nearly odourless or with a faint sour smell;
- the phase of ovulation, increasing the amount of 4 ml per day (the size of the spot on strip — 5 cm), increased malleability, vocal fold mucosae may appear beige in tone;
- luteal phase — the secret to a more viscous, kiselevtsy, yellowish.
It is important to know that if the vagina is color and a different fragrance — it is time to see a doctor.
The smell is the result of a too active life of the bacteria and fungi living in the vagina.
Continuing dryness of the vagina you experience the following symptoms:
- the mucous membrane becomes thinner, the walls lose elasticity and can start to bleed;
- during intercourse, the woman will experience some discomfort (itching, burning) or even pain in severe cases, the itching and burning sensation that she feels, even if out of reach;
- although the excitation process, the amount of mucus is not increased;
- due to the fact that the urethra is near the vagina, you may experience frequent and painful urination.
If suddenly the secret is not enough, you should be looking for the reason why. We list the most common: some problems are solved quickly, while others require a trip to the doctor. The main thing — to Orient in time, what was going on in this particular case.
Dehydration — not the most rare, because of the lack of vaginal secretions in a world where women sometimes sit on a very strict diet, and sometimes the fitness goals of practicing so-called "drying". Dehydration can lead to active use of alcohol and prolonged exposure to heat.
Solution to the problem
Check its water economy. Per day women should drink 2-2,5 liters of water in any form. If he, in addition to visits to the gym, the liquid consumption may be higher. If we talk about the intentional reduction of water content in the body, it is necessary to understand that vaginal dryness is "clock" of the body, signaling that something will go wrong, and suffer from internal organs. Is it really that tough measures are needed against himself?
Hormone balance
Sometimes vaginal dryness is a side effect of the processes of the natural body.
The production of mucus is the result of female sex hormone estrogen. If they are not enough, the production of mucus is disturbed, developed vaginal dryness.
Fluctuations in estrogen levels occur in the following cases:
- age-related atrophy of the vaginal walls and reduce the amount of mucus produced, usually develops during menopause and is one of its symptoms;
- decreased secretion of the glands is observed during pregnancy and breast-feeding the child;
- some women complain of a shortage of vaginal secretions at the beginning and end of the menstrual cycle — indeed, during this period, estrogen levels lower, but a normal healthy woman should suffer from dryness;
- other conditions and diseases, which reduce estrogen in the body.
Solution to the problem
Estrogen deficiency is to take care of his introduction outside. This is done in vaginal rings that contain estrogen, vaginal estrogen cream or estrogen pills, which enter the vagina. Naturally, all of these methods to combat the dryness must appoint a physician.
These funds are contraindicated. For example, they should not be prescribed to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or endometrium, in patients with vaginal bleeding, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Medication
The reception of many drugs leads to decreased production of vaginal secretions. For example, the most common oral contraceptives based on progesterone can cause vaginal dryness.
This list also includes drugs that block the production of estrogen:
- cardiovascular drugs,
- antihypertensive drugs (to reduce pressure)
- antidepressants
- diuretic,
- antihistamines, and drugs that have anti-estrogenic activity (to treat fibroids or endometriosis), etc.
Solution to the problem
If the cause of dryness is medication, you should check is how long it should take. Normally generation of secret restored a short time after discontinuation of the medication.
But sometimes you can't undo it, and in this case you can consult a gynecologist and use special means to moisturize the vagina.
The lack of a prelude to sexual intercourse
The average woman full excitation is needed from 8 to 10 and sometimes even 15 minutes.
If the partner is busy, then the extra lubrication may not be able to produce the right amount, and the vagina becomes dry in a short period of time after the beginning of the connection.
Solution to the problem
Discuss foreplay with your partner. It so happens that the man is in a hurry because he feared that he could "not making the" point of full arousal of his partner.
In this case, you may want to consult with an andrologist or trade in the goods concerned subject acquired by the funds (gels, lubricants), through which it is possible to delay the moment of orgasm.
Non-standard sexual act
All that exceeds the average for sexual intercourse, can cause dryness of the vagina.
The list can be endless, for example: too active and prolonged contact with the partner is too rough penetration, use of accessories that are mentally and physically reduce a woman libido, the unusual setting, the psychological reluctance of women to do the sexual act of the moment, etc.
Solution to the problem
In this case, requires the participation of a sexual partner. If a woman has all the non-standard in terms of sexual contact satisfied, you can use lubricants — synthetic lubricants.
Reaction hygiene products
It seems more pure the better? Not in the case of the vagina, which is the ecological niche of a wide range of bacteria and fungi. The norm all of these organisms live in the vagina and maintain an acidic pH.
If you overdo it with personal hygiene products containing antibacterial ingredients (triclosan, for example), it is possible to destroy the whole flora: and harmful, and his home, useful. And it dries mucous membranes, interferes with the production of vaginal secretions.
Solution to the problem
Wash only with plain warm water, without special tools, anti-bacterial components. Their use is permitted on the recommendation of a doctor, usually the body has enough of the most common water treatments.
If there is no need to use such tools, they should be marked "hypoallergenic" and has a pH of 3.8-4.5, not more. Alkaline detergent with a high pH (Soaps, lotions) to apply is not necessary. By the way, the withering effect is also douching, vaginal shower, and a swimming pool with bleach.
Bad habits
Smoking negatively affects the blood vessels and thus lead to a deterioration in blood circulation to all body organs, including the pelvic organs. Practice has shown that a few months after quitting Smoking problems with vaginal dryness disappears. The negative impact of alcohol, which, as mentioned above, contribute to dehydration.
Solution to the problem
If a woman is aware that she may be a shortage of lubricant during intercourse, the better before it is allowed to drink alcohol and to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. Possible, of course.
Disease
Some diseases and conditions, there is also lack of vaginal lubrication:
After removal of the ovaries reduces the level of estrogen produced, and therefore reduce the production of vaginal fluid. When developing Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue.
There are irregularities in the different glands of external secretion, including those who are involved in the development of vaginal secretions. In these patients, the dryness is celebrated not only in the mouth, nose, skin and vagina.
- The background of the cancer treatment methods of radiation and chemotherapy.
- Endometriosis.
- When the menstrual cycle for some reason.
- Background the inflammatory process in the vagina and the urethra.
- Allergic reaction to condoms and other ways to prevent pregnancy and infections during lovemaking, including spermicides.
Solution to the problem
In the presence of pathology, which can cause vaginal dryness you should discuss this problem with your doctor. In any case, you should not try to fix it yourself. The disease restricts choice and can cause unpredictable reaction to something moisturizing.