The science behind painful sexual experiences in women.

In a society like mine, the topic of sex is something we try not to speak about especially in public, this is usually because of some moral and religious beliefs. This issue however has affected lots of relationships and I see reasons every day why it is a topic to talk about.

Painful sex is very common amongst women and one of the major causes of painful sex is vaginal dryness.
Naturally, the glands at the neck of the womb produce natural lubrication which helps to keep the vagina moist and supple. The moisture produced through this process flows through the vagina and it helps to keep it clean, getting rid of every form of dead cells.

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We cannot forget to mention as well that the vagina moisture produced is usually slightly acidic in nature and this helps to maintain the health status of the vagina. Extra moisture is naturally produced when the body gets excited during sexual experiences, but this is not always the case for all women because there are women whose bodies do not produce enough natural moisture to make the sexual experience enjoyable.

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness.

If you are not sure if the symptoms you are experiencing are those of vaginal dryness, let me quickly take you through some of the symptoms to look out for.

• Painful sexual experience.

• Change in the appearance of vaginal discharge.

• Bleeding during or after sex.

• Irritation or pain after sex.

Let’s explore possible causes of vaginal dryness.

• Insufficient excitement: Sex is more enjoyable when the hormones in the body are adequately awakened. There may be vaginal dryness which will eventually result in a painful sexual experience when there is a reduced level of arousal before sex.

• Emotional imbalance: Vaginal dryness may also occur if a lady is going through certain experiences that are affecting her mood or happiness. If there is an inadequate attraction to the sexual partner involved, the level of lubrication produced may be limited.

• Anxiety: When a woman experiences a significant level of stress and anxiety, there is usually a reduced level of blood flow which will result in vaginal dryness and of course a painful sexual experience.

• Allergies: Our body reacts differently and there are certain chemically induced materials like soaps, perfumes that contain chemicals that end up irritating the body and causing vagina dryness.

• Breastfeeding: Hormonal changes during breastfeeding could result in vaginal dryness and painful intercourse as well.

• Treatments and Medication: There are certain medications that affect the body, certain cancer treatments adversely affect the hormones in the body.

• Stress: When the body goes through excessive stress, the flow of blood is affected and in turn excitement during sexual intercourse is reduced as well resulting in vaginal dryness.

• Birth control pills: Certain birth control pills have an adverse effect on the production of lubrication to the body, which will, in turn, make the sexual experience unpleasant.

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Treatment of Vaginal Dryness.

The treatment of vaginal dryness depends greatly on the cause of the dryness, so the first way to cure this issue is by identifying the cause of the dryness.

• If the dryness you are experiencing is caused by the lack of sufficient attraction towards your partner, then you should review the cause of the lesser attraction or even completely re-evaluate your relationship if necessary.

• Natural lubrication could be enhanced if more time is spent on foreplay instead of moving straight into sexual activity.

• If yours is caused by medications, you need to speak with your doctor and get an alternative to the drugs.

• Ensure that you avoid the use of strong perfumes and oil especially around the vagina.

Vitamins that help with vaginal dryness.

Gladly, there are some natural vitamins that could help control vaginal dryness.

• Vitamin E is a disease-fighting antioxidant and researchers say it is helpful for increased lubrication, it also helps to reduce vaginal dryness.

• Fish oil is a great source of suppliant that has been discovered to increase the level of oestrogen in the body which will help in a great way to prevent vaginal dryness.

• Vitamin D is a source of vitamin that is known for its function in helping out with bone health and increased lubrication in women also.

• Sea buckthorn oil is a natural supplement that helps with the improvement of skin conditions, it has also been discovered that women who use sea buckthorn oil usually more experience vaginal elasticity.

Moisturizers and lubricants to help cure vaginal dryness.

• There are internal moisturizers that can be inserted into the vagina which helps to develop vagina tissues, external moisturizers on the other hand are specially used on the vulva.

• Water-based lubricants have been found to be the best types of lubricants even if they do not last as long as silicon-based lubricants.

Hormonal vaginal treatment.

• Estrogen creams and tablets are one of the ways to treat vaginal dryness, creams or tablets are usually inserted into the vagina a few times a week.

• Vaginal rings are another option, the ring is placed by the patient into the vagina and a low dose of estrogen is released within a period of 90 days.

How to talk to your doctor about vaginal dryness.

Most women remain silent about this issue because they find it rather embarrassing to discuss the issue with anyone, not even their doctor. However, there are a few tips to help the process easier.

• Remember that you are not the first woman to go through vaginal dryness, there are lots of women going through the same issue.

• It may be embarrassing to have this discussion face to face, there are several options of meeting with doctors over the internet through trusted medical options, booking an appointment with a medical expert, and discussing the issue without physical contact could help a lot.

• Prior to the meeting either physically or online, write down the list of things you will like to talk about so you do not leave out important details during the meeting.

Conclusion.

Vaginal dryness is not a death sentence and there is nothing to be scared about. Your sexual life may be affected if this issue is left hidden for a long time, you need to talk to a doctor about it and treat it as soon as you can.

References.

https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/vaginal-dryness/#:~:text=Many%20women%20may%20experience%20vaginal,psychological%20reasons%20such%20as%20stress.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamins-to-increase-female-lubrication#1.-Vitamin-E

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/vaginal-dryness.aspx

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/experiencing-vaginal-dryness-heres-what-you-need-to-know

https://greatist.com/health/vitamins-to-increase-female-lubrication

Hi, I am Tobi a writer, a speaker, relationship counselor, lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people, I sincerely appreciate every love I get from members of the community, do well to keep them coming.