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The last taboo? Vaginal dryness during menopause

It’s one of the most common symptoms of menopause, but vaginal dryness is often the least talked-about. Though it can affect women of any age (with an estimated 17% of women aged 18-50 experiencing it at some stage) it is most common in peri and postmenopausal women. Reports indicate around 80% of this group will experience vaginal atrophy at some stage. Significantly, only around a third of these women seek help from their GP or other health professional for this issue, despite the fact that simple, affordable treatments do exist that could offer substantial relief from this often debilitating symptom.

Symptoms of vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness most frequently occurs due to a lack of oestrogen, usually associated with menopause, but which can also occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, stress, or even just being insufficiently aroused during foreplay and sex. Symptoms include itching, burning, pain during sex, and can sometimes be mistaken for a urinary tract infection, all of which warrant investigation by a health professional.

Simple remedies

A simple water-based lubricant like Sylk can really improve every day comfort and sex. Available on prescription but also over the counter at all chemists, Sylk is a plant–based gel that lubricates and soothes sensitive tissues. As Sylk is hormone and paraben free, it can be used by those wanting to avoid hormonal treatments, but it can also be used in conjunction with HRT and topical oestrogen. As GP and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson says, “symptoms like vaginal dryness are very common, but can be easily resolved. Simple treatments like vaginal lubricants can make all the difference.”

Let’s talk

Symptoms of vaginal dryness can have a real impact on all aspects of a woman’s life. Clothes may feel uncomfortable, basic exercise can be difficult and sex can be painful, all of which can have a massive effect on a woman’s self-confidence and relationships.

Sylk recently hosted Sylk Talks Menopause, an event in central London with Meg Mathews, menopause campaigner, and Dr Louise Newson. Guests were invited to share their experiences with the panel, which also included comedy duo Scummy Mummies, and their stories all shared a common theme; a fear or reluctance to talk about their symptoms because they were embarrassed or felt they wouldn’t be taken seriously. As a result, many of the women who shared their stories were quite simply at their wits end, feeling isolated and alone.

 

 

Smashing the taboo

Throughout the evening, despite the obvious pain many of these women were experiencing, there was lots of hope. Guests left feeling empowered, and more able to talk about their experiences, and the media has been full of menopause and women speaking out in recent months. Are we seeing a movement towards a more open, more accepting conversation? Perhaps vaginal dryness can finally have its moment; not as something to be laughed at or feel embarrassed about, but as a genuine condition that women don’t have to ‘just put up with’ anymore.

Content supplied by SYLK

The post The last taboo? Vaginal dryness during menopause appeared first on talkhealth Blog.

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Dry Skin Home Remedies – Treat Skin Dryness Naturally

Dry skin is a skin which contains low amounts of sebum or oil. Due to poor sebum secretion, the skin becomes parched, flaky and extremely itchy. The skin fails to retain moisture after every wash and becomes all the more dry. The situation can be managed by applying an external moisturizing cream. Dry skin becomes very sensitive and itchiness may soar to maddening levels, causing one to violently scratch the skin with a back scratcher. Chapping, cracking and wrinkles are the signs of dryness of skin. Regions like arms, hands, lower legs, sides of abdomen, cheeks, around the eyes are prone to dryness. Dryness, if ignored for a long time, may lead to dermatitis or skin inflammation and infection.

Causes of Dry Skin

1. Malnutrition and deficiency of Vitamin A and B. 2. Genetic grounds 3. Low sebum secretion 4. Exposure to sun, wind, cold and chemicals. 5. Wintry weather 6. In air-conditioned rooms 7. Itchy clothing 8. Bathing with harsh soaps 9. Prolonged hot showers. 10. Skin conditions like dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea. 11. Medications like diuretics, antispasmodics, antihistamines. 12. Diseases like diabetes, hypothyroidism.

Home Remedies for Dry Skin

1. Massaging face and body with olive oil or almond oil before going to bed at night can tackle the problem of dry skin.

2. Soaking the face and body in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes is an effective remedy.

3. Castor oil and avocado oil are very helpful for treating severe dryness.

4. Massaging with grape seed oil is an effective home remedy for dry skin.

5. One may apply before bath, a fine mixture of egg yolk, one teaspoon orange juice, one teaspoon olive oil and few drops of rose water and lime juice. This helps to fight dryness.

6. Massaging skin with a mixture of cream of milk, rose water and lime juice is a beneficial remedy. It erases fine lines and wrinkles.

7. Application of a mixture of clay powder and one teaspoon honey also eradicates dryness.

8. One may apply mashed banana on skin, leave it for 15 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.

9. Application of aloe Vera gel after bath manages the problem of dryness.

10. One may apply few drops of lavender essential oil to bath water. This treatment also reduces dryness.

11. It is advisable to wash face with mineral water rather than tap water, for those suffering from dryness.

12. Proper and healthy diet also helps in treating dry skin problems from the root. Diet should contain all nutritional values, which is necessary for our skin. You can also take herbal supplements to fill the gap of nutritional values.

Read more about Home Remedies for Dry Skin. Also know effective Home Remedies for Insomnia. Read useful Home Remedies for Stretch Marks.

James Napier

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