Atrophic Vaginitis (Vaginal Dryness)
"Atrophic vaginitis (also known as vaginal atrophy or urogenital atrophy) is an inflammation of the vagina (and the outer urinary tract) due to the thinning and shrinking of the tissues, as well as decreased lubrication. This is all due to a lack of the reproductive hormone estrogen.
The most common cause of vaginal atrophy is the decrease in estrogen which happens naturally during perimenopause, and increasingly so in post-menopause. However this condition can sometimes be caused by other circumstances.
The symptoms can include vaginal soreness and itching, as well as painful intercourse, and bleeding after sexual intercourse. The shrinkage of the tissues can be extreme enough to make intercourse impossible."
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Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
COCONUT OIL
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[WORKED TEMPORARILY] 02/04/2010: Magee from San Mateo, Ca, Us writes: "Coconut Oil helps my vaginal dryness problem. I use it as a lubricant for intercourse. It works great for that as a temporary solution. I like using it, because it's easily applied as a solid but melts with contact. Safe, odorless, nice and soft, not runny or goopy like some commercial products. Plus I know I'm not using any weird chemicals. And a small amount goes a long way. But, it doesn't provide any permanent solution in the strengthening of the skin. I wish it did. I still have problems with occasional tearing other times."
Replies[YEA] 11/16/2010: Nan from Tulsa, Ok replies: "Per Magee's recommendation, I tried the Coconut Oil for vaginal dryness problem during intercourse. It is a great relief to the increasing discomfort (pain) I was having, and my husband and I are most happy about it. Coconut Oil has a lovely fragrance and the solid does dissolve into a nice light oil which feels great on the skin especially on delicate tissue. Thank you EC for providing a great service. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
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REMEDIES NEEDED
01/31/2010: Kerry from Portland, Oregon writes: "I always come to your site to find solutions to all my problems (well, health problems anyway) and was slightly disappointed that vaginal dryness was not on your list of ailments. Is there any way I can get some posts started on this topic? I know someone mentioned something on vitamin E on a different page, but wasn't sure if this is something common or just worked for her personally. thanks."
Replies02/03/2010: Susan from Dallas, Tx replies: "Try coconut oil as a lubricant. It is natural and healthy for this delicate area."
04/07/2010: Meg from Seattle, Wa replies: "Any herb with phytoestrogens could help this problem. A phytoestrogen is a plants form of estrogen, creating an estrogen-like effect in your body. Some of these plants include: fenugreek, pueraria mirifica, fennel, black cohosh, and dong quai. These herbs are also used in natural breast enhancing pills. You can get most of these at vitamin stores, and fennel you might even find in your kitchen!
*IMPORTANT* - Pregnant women should not take these, they can relax the muscles in the uterus and potentially cause a miscarriage. Some are even used to induce child birth!
I take 610mg of fennugreek three times a day in capsule form, you can also open the capsule into hot water and make tea with it! This works out great for me, it also supports the sugar metabolism, which is good for keeping your blood sugar low. Fenugreek has been used traditionally to treat diabetes, fever, coughs, congestion, high blood pressure, diarrhea, flatulence, anaemia and arthritis. It also helps to produce more breast milk in nursing mothers.
puereria mirifica (also known as white kwao krua) grows in Northern and Northeastern Thailand, it is more difficult to get a hold of than the other supplements I listed, to my knowledge it is only sold online. This plant can boost your libido, and increase vaginal wetness. Many have said that pueraria mirifica had a beneficial effect on the hair, skin and also breast increase. On a side note, the region where this plant is grown is remarkable for its low rate of breast cancer and impressive longevity.
Fennel is great for its phytoestrogens and has many other medicinal uses. Fennel also can help with: Anemia, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, colic, menstrual disorders, and eye problems. The Anethole in fennel has repeatedly been shown to reduce inflammation and to help prevent the occurrence of cancer. I chew on about a half a teaspoon of fennel after eating (it is great for freshening the breath) and sometimes make fennel tea at night.
I don't know much about black cohosh or dong quai other than that people take them for their estrogen-like effects.
My advice is to look into these herbs more and see which one could be right for you. There is no exact daily value or 'dosage' for herbs, so be careful and don't take too much. When in doubt, follow what is recommended on the bottle."
06/22/2010: Julia from Bryson City, Nc replies: "The only problem I have with phytoestrogens, is if you've had breast cancer, and your cancer was hormone related, estrogen will feed your cancer. So you have to be careful with these phytoestrogens as well as soy."
11/14/2011: Pahlee from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania replies: "Is vitaim e good for vaginal atrophic?"
02/02/2012: Kimberly from Fl, Usa replies: "My gynecologist suggested using Olive oil. He says it soaks into the skin and will help with intercourse. As mentioned earlier a little goes along way. I guess either oil would work."
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