Is your vagina feeling drier than a British comedy? Here’s why…
The risk factors for vaginal dryness include the use of common prescription drugs such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, statins, blood pressure medications, as well as cancer therapy.
If you’re on an anti-depressant, then the likelihood that you will experience a sexual problem ranges from 30% to 70%. In women, the causes include vaginal dryness, decreased sensation in genitalia, lowered sex drive and lack of orgasm.
Oral contraceptives lower testosterone, which is also important for vaginal lubrication. The physiological result is that the labia can thin and intercourse can become painful. This condition is not common but can occur.
Other drugs that interfere with vaginal health include benzodiazepines (tranquilizers), cholesterol-lowering statins and blood pressure medications.
Over-the-counter allergy medications such as anti-histamines act to dehydrate the mucous membrane and therefore can cause vaginal dryness.
Another important risk factor for vaginal dryness is treatment for a hormonal cancer, such as breast or ovarian cancer. The cancer treatments themselves – whether chemotherapy or radiation – can cause vaginal dryness or induce early menopause. The maintenance therapies, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, can worsen menopausal symptoms including vaginal dryness and hot flashes.
Mae by Damiva all natural vaginal lubricant is recommended in gynecology and cancer clinics across Canada, including the OASIS sexual health clinic at the Cross Cancer Institute and Royal Alexandra Urogynecology Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta. Email info@damiva.ca if you would like more information or a referral to a clinic.
Our second Damiva video blog series with Michelle Fraser, pelvic health physiotherapist, describes other lifestyle risks for vaginal atrophy including smoking, lack of vaginal delivery and lack of intercourse.