Factors That Increase Risk For Vaginal Dryness

The human body is a miraculous thing capable of undergoing remarkable changes. However, sometimes those changes can be uncomfortable or even distressing. A pimple before school photos. A wisdom tooth erupting, making it difficult to eat. Or, sometimes most distressingly, vaginal dryness that can make physical intimacy with a partner difficult. If you’re wondering what causes vaginal dryness, why some get it while others don’t, if your vaginal dryness is temporary or a sign of something more significant, and even if you’re not wondering any of those questions, keep reading to learn more about vaginal dryness and what you may be doing that might be increasing your risk for it.

What Is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness is a condition where the tissues in your vagina are dry, thinned, and/or not well-moisturized. Common symptoms to determine if you have vaginal dryness are pain during intercourse, needing to pee more often than usual, and/or sore or itchy in and around your vagina. Despite the name, vaginal dryness may not entirely exist within the vaginal canal. Depending on the cause of vaginal dryness, there can be overall dryness in the area, causing dryness or irritation for the vulva as well.

What Am I Doing To Increase The Risk Of Vaginal Dryness? 

Vaginal dryness is a common attribute associated with aging and menopause; however, if you are not at that age, there could be factors related to your lifestyle that may increase your risk of developing or exacerbating current vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can develop or be aggravated by:

• Hormonal Changes, Such As Menopause Or Childbirth
• Certain Medications, Consult Your Doctor About Which Medications Can Cause Vaginal Dryness
• Stress, Both Physical and Emotional
• Chemo Or Radiation Therapies
• Smoking
• Allergy Medications
• Douching Or Some Scented Products

If any of the listed items are something you do or need to undergo, make sure to talk to your doctor about potential options to alleviate vaginal dryness.

Who Can I Talk To About Vaginal Dryness? 

The doctors and team at Northwest Women’s Center! If you’re looking for comprehensive care and people who are experts are listening to you and collaborating with you to create a care plan, then give us a call at 281-444-3440!