Breaking the silence
Changes to the vagina: vaginal atrophy
- After the menopause, due to lack of oestrogen, the vagina becomes shorter, less elastic and dryer. These changes are referred to as 'atrophic vaginitis'. Common symptoms are vaginal dryness, itching, burning, soreness of the vagina and pain during intercourse (dyspareunia).
- Changes in vaginal flora may result in more frequent bacterial of fungal vaginal infections
- Approximately 30% of women experience vaginal symptoms during the early post-menopausal period, and up to 47% of women have them during the later post-menopausal period1.
Vaginal therapy
- Vaginal therapy includes vaginal tablets, creams, rings and suppositories which are inserted into the vagina to help relieve the vaginal symptoms of the menopause. These deliver oestrogen directly to the tissues of the vagina.They are easy to use and easy to stop. They are sometimes referred to as 'local therapy'.
- For women who have only vaginal symptoms, it may be worth trying one of these local preparations.
- If menopausal symptoms are more general, a form of treatment which circulates throughout the whole body (known as "systemic treatment" which is most commonly applied by tablets taken by mouth, or skin patches) may be more appropriate.
Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your partner about how you feel and why sex has become less pleasurable. Find ways to enjoy touching and intimacy even if you feel unable to have penetrative sex for a time. Talk to your doctor – there are many treatments to help relieve vaginal symptoms (e.g., local estrogen therapy) – your doctor might also recommend counselling with a specialist therapist.
Your partner may also be suffering and wondering if your feelings have changed towards them. Explain to your partner how menopause and hormonal change is affecting you but reassure them that this is temporary. Understanding what is happening to you will help you both.
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