Nowadays, women are increasingly willing to express their sexual needs and desires. However, vaginal dryness remains a concern that is deliberately overlooked. But let's break the silence: Vaginal dryness is not unique to menopause and there is no shame in it.

Breaking the stigmatization of vaginal dryness is a crucial step for women to move towards inclusivity at all stages of their lives. Although vaginal dryness is most commonly experienced during menopause or after menopause, when estrogen levels decline, it can also occur at any point in life. So, what causes vaginal dryness? There are many factors at play.

Some potential causes of vaginal dryness

According to the Cleveland Clinic, estrogen plays a crucial role in vaginal dryness. Estrogen keeps the vagina moist and helps maintain the thickness of the vaginal inner wall. When estrogen levels decrease, vaginal moisture also decreases. This condition is known as atrophic vaginitis or vaginal atrophy.

Indeed, during menopause, the level of estrogen decreases. But according to the same article, there are more stories about that terrifying period of drought:

During menstruation, hormone levels change at different times during the menstrual cycle.

After giving birth, your hormone levels may undergo significant changes, especially during breastfeeding.

During chemotherapy or radiotherapy for pelvic cancer, or after the removal of ovaries, you may experience vaginal dryness.

Some medications (such as low-dose hormone contraceptives) can prevent the production of estrogen and cause dryness.

In addition to many other health risks, smokers may also increase the risk of early menopause, which leads to reduced estrogen secretion and vaginal dryness.

You may need more foreplay. It may take a minute for the body and mind to synchronize. Before moving on to the next stage, give your partner more time to become aroused, that is, to become moist. Otherwise, you may not be as interested in him/her.

Discussing vaginal dryness and vaginal lubrication

Now that you have learned some common causes of vaginal dryness, it's time to talk about your situation with your partner or friend. Whether you really need more foreplay or it's just a result of your menstrual cycle, you need to communicate clearly before trying to solve the problem.

Discussing vaginal dryness is an opportunity to enhance intimacy and strengthen the bond between couples. It is also a problem that couples should address together. "Discussing those issues that make us feel vulnerable is difficult," she said. "But ultimately, a significant part of the reason for the breakdown of a couple's relationship lies in the fact that, in an attempt to protect themselves from shame or embarrassment, they adopt withdrawal and other defensive measures."

She added: "Learning to talk with our partners about our fears and vulnerabilities can strengthen our bond and enhance the overall relationship. This gives our partners the opportunity to listen to our concerns, understand them, and show us empathy."

It is also very important to communicate with your doctor and other women, which can promote broader discussions in society. Vaginal dryness is not your fault and you are not alone. Understanding what is happening deep inside the vagina can boost your confidence, health and satisfaction.