A thin lining of wetness coats the vaginal walls. This moisture creates an alkaline environment in which sperm can live and travel in order to reproduce sexually. These vaginal fluids also lubricate the vaginal wall, which helps to reduce friction during sexual contact.
Changes in hormone production might cause the vaginal walls to shrink as a woman ages. Thinner walls indicate fewer cells secreting moisture. This may cause vaginal dryness.
What are the effects of vaginal dryness?
Dryness in the vaginal and pelvic regions can be uncomfortable. Vaginal dryness can also result in:
- burning sensation during sexual activity
- loss of interest in sex pain with sexual intercourse
- light bleeding following intercourse soreness
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) that don’t go away or that reoccur
- vaginal itching or stinging
Vaginal dryness can cause embarrassment. This may deter women from addressing symptoms with their doctor or spouse, yet the illness is prevalent and affects many women.
Causes of Vaginal dryness
Why am I experiencing vaginal dryness? The main reason for vaginal dryness is a drop in estrogen levels. As women get older, they generate less estrogen. This results in the cessation of menstruation during perimenopause.
However, menopause is not the only illness that causes a decrease in estrogen production. Other factors include:
- breastfeeding
- cigarette smoking
- depression
- excessive stress
- immune system disorders, such as Sjögren syndrome
- childbirth
- rigorous exercise
- some cancer treatments, such as radiation to the pelvis, hormone therapy, or
- chemotherapy
- surgical removal of the ovaries
- Some medications can also reduce secretions in the body. Douching may also cause dryness and irritation, as well as some creams and lotions that are applied to the vaginal area.
7 Herbs for Vaginal Dryness
- Red clover
- Agnus Castus
- Flax seeds or Linseeds
- Shatavari
- Sea buckthorn oil
- Aloe vera
- Dong Quai
1. Red Clover
Red clover is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the legume family. It is regarded as one of the richest sources of isoflavones, which contain estrogenic properties. Vaginal dryness, painful sex, and poor libido are common in some young ladies and for others during menopause. Using red clover may help to naturally boost estrogen levels.
Isoflavones are phytoestrogens, which are plant chemicals that have a similar structure to our own estrogen and can gently imitate natural estrogen in the body to restore balance when hormones fluctuate.
Increasing phytoestrogen-rich foods, such as Red Clover, in your diet can help to normalize estrogen levels and minimize symptoms of vaginal discomfort.
2. Agnus Castus
Agnus Castus is a deciduous shrub that is commonly used by herbalists in Europe and North America to treat female hormone imbalances.
Flavonoids found in the berries of the Agnus Castus plant have been proven to impact estrogen receptors and are thought to have an indirect regulatory effect on hormones.
Agnus Castus is classified as an adaptogen, which means it can increase estrogen levels when they are low and decrease estrogen activity when it is too high.
This estrogen-normalizing effect can help to bring about balance in female hormones and thus reduce the symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy.
3. Flax seeds / Linseeds
Flaxseeds or linseeds are a plant native to the Mediterranean that have been utilized for their medicinal values since around 650 BC. Flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as plant lignans. The chemical structure of lignans is similar to that of the hormone estradiol and studies show that these compounds appear to have an oestrogenic effect.
Lignans are a class of phytoestrogens and can bind to estrogen receptors increasing the production of a compound that regulates estrogen levels by escorting excess estrogen from the body.
Studies have indicated that ground flaxseeds have positive benefits for the mucosal lining of the vagina, thus helping to increase lubrication and relieve pain and itching.
4. Shatavari
Shatavari is a species of asparagus, (also called Asparagus racemosus) that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It is thought to have a range of benefits, particularly for the female reproductive system, and has been coined the ‘queen of herbs for health and libido.
In addition to promoting conception, it has been used for the treatment of menopause. It is an effective demulcent, which means it can relieve irritation of the mucous membranes by forming a protective film and this may be of particular benefit for the treatment of vaginal dryness.
Shatavari’s main constituents are steroidal saponins, which appear to help with estrogen regulation.
A number of studies suggest that Shatavari may improve hormonal imbalances and more recent research suggests that when used in combination with other herbs it may reduce symptoms of menopause.
5. Sea Buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is derived from the orange berry-like fruits that grow on sea buckthorn plants and has been utilized in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years.
It is high in omega-7 essential fats, which are crucial structural components of the vaginal mucous membranes.
Sea Buckthorn oil can assist in the regeneration of these membranes, thereby keeping the vaginal tract healthy and lubricated.
Sea buckthorn oil supplementation may help with vaginal dryness, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research published in the Maturitas Journal. The experiment, which was conducted on postmenopausal women at the University of Turku, revealed significant increases in the integrity of the vaginal mucous membranes, hence improving flexibility and mucosal secretions.
6. Aloe Vera
Because of its calming and therapeutic characteristics, Aloe Vera has a long history of usage as a medical plant. Aloe Vera’s combined health-giving components are recognized to enhance immunological function and healthy skin renewal in various regions of the body, including the vagina.
Active ingredients in aloe vera are mucinous polysaccharides, which are especially vital for the health of the lungs and vaginal lining.
Aloe Vera promotes collagen synthesis, which is critical for skin growth and renewal; this, together with its soothing and healing characteristics, is especially beneficial when mixed into an all-natural vaginal lubricant.
7. Dong Quai
Dong Quai, often known as “female ginseng,” It is an essential herb by those practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years.
It contains coumarins, which expand blood arteries and allow blood to flow more freely. Herbalists believe that Dong Quai, in addition to its anti-inflammatory qualities, can improve the quality of your blood.
You can combine a number of herbs to cancel each other’s adverse effects and increase efficacy. Dong Quai, for example, is frequently combined with Black Cohosh.
Alternatively, two independent trials combining Dong Quai with additional herbs discovered a significant reduction in nocturnal sweats and hot flashes.
How to Use Dong Quai for Vaginal Dryness
The name, Dong Quai, refers specifically to the root which you can buy and prepare:
- you can dry, boil, and strain as tea or soup
- also, you can ground into powder and mix it with boiling water
- you can take it in oral pill form
- Or you can use it as an essential oil or as drops in food.
Other Remedies for Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is also common in perimenopausal women, which occurs as a result of the body’s decreased estrogen levels as they age. As a result, vaginal lubrication reduces, making the vaginal lining dry and without natural moisture.
Other cures for Vaginal Dryness are as follows:
- Use of Lubricants – If you have irritation during sexual intercourse, use lubricants. Apply the lubricant to the vaginal or male genital area.
2. Use of Estrogen or hormone replacement therapy -Increase the amount of estrogen in your body by using hormone replacement treatment. This is appropriate for postmenopausal ladies.
You can use estrogen tablets, lotions, and vaginal suppositories. However, take these medications as your doctor instructs.
3. Vaginal moisturizers – To protect and cover the vaginal walls with fluids, use vaginal moisturizers. The chemical is available in water-based, gel-based, and tablet forms.
4. Laser treatment – this treatment stimulates the creation of blood vessels and collagen in the vaginal tissues. It merely takes 5 to 10 minutes to restore moisture to the vagina. The medication protects and avoids estrogen deficiency. Laser treatment is non-invasive, painless, and does not require surgery.
Vaginal dryness frequently causes inflammation and pain in the vaginal wall, which can lead to bacterial infection or vaginal yeast infection. If you have vaginal dryness, you should see a doctor immediately to get the necessary or suitable therapy for you.
