“Here’s a shocking fact: although about half of women in midlife complain about vaginal dryness and painful sex, only 7% are treated. And here’s the painful truth: most people are ashamed to mention this issue to their physicians, and most providers don’t tell their patients about it.”
Here, you will learn about five therapies so you can discuss them with your healthcare provider.
1. Get a diagnosis
Low estrogen is the most common cause of this problem, but a small percentage of women have a skin condition called vulvar dystrophy. Even there are lower percentages of women with vulva cancer. These are rare, but they cause a lot of pain and for a long time they are often not diagnosed. The vaginal disease is another common cause of dryness and painful sex. Other women have had pelvic radiation or are being treated for cancer treatment with estrogen-blocking drugs. So have a good health care professional test who knows their stuff and you know what you have. There’s nothing that can be done if your doctor tells you, get another opinion.
Learn more: Brand medications to treat vaginal infections
2. Local Vaginal Estrogen
The vaginal tissues are very flexible, and they can stretch to allow a baby to move through them safely and then return to their smaller size. It’s like a sock or sleeve’s ribbing. Through your foot or hand, the elasticity helps the sock or sleeve to return to normal. Likewise, the vagina works. The lower blood flow results in less moisture and flatter, paler tissues, resulting in dryness and increasingly painful sex. The emergence of these symptoms sometimes takes two to three years after menopause, and because they become a problem so long after menopause, they do not seem to be related— but they are.
The local estrogen in the inner and outer genital region functions very well to alleviate this problem and reverse it. A vaginal ring (Estring) is replaced every three months, a vaginal estrogen pill (Vagifem) is used every day for two weeks, and once a week after that, and vaginal creams like Estrace, Premarin, and others. Estrace (estradiol) vaginal cream is a formulation of estrogen, a female hormone, for topical application to the vaginal area used to treat certain menopause symptoms such as dryness, burning, or itching of the vaginal area or discomfort or urinary irritation.
3. Local Lidocaine Gel
Lidocaine is used by most people as a local anesthetic. It is similar to the material that is inserted before dental work into your mouth, or other similar uses. It needs the doctor to receive a prescription. Just before sex, place a 4 percent lidocaine tablespoon in a small glass and drop it into a ball of cotton. Take the soaking wet cotton ball and put it for about three minutes in the lower vagina. Throw out the ball of cotton get your favorite lubricant. It works great for most women. It is not a treatment, but the suffering is avoided.
Learn more: Check out the prices of Lidocaine Gel
4. Osphena (Ospemifene)
Osphena is a drug approved for painful sex in 2013. It is a form of medicine called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). You’re probably familiar with other SERMS like Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. The one-day pill induces vaginal moisture, soothes painful sex, and does not hurt the breasts. Many women have hot flashes, vomiting, headaches, and mild joint pain, but generally, women like the drug and think it works very well.
Learn more: More medications for vaginal infection
5. Mona Lisa Touch
Mona Lisa Touch is a vaginal laser used. During a regular pelvic exam, a specimen of the length of your thumb goes into the vagina. Laser beams come out from the sides of the probe and laser microscopic holes into the vagina that is superficial. There is no bleeding, and there is no pain. It takes about five minutes to complete the operation. The procedure usually takes place three times over six weeks and is then repeated in approximately one year.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physicians with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment.
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