Many women suffer vaginal and sexual health problems in silence as they age but few discuss it with their doctors. This is a key finding of a study from the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Despite being a society saturated in sexual images, important, helpful sex information about conditions like vaginal dryness, painful sex and low desire simply are not discussed.
Most women are more than familiar with the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats yet vaginal dryness is one of the most common problems for women at this time. Vaginal dryness may lead to painful sex, itching, odour and may impact activities of daily living like walking and sitting. Yet, so many women do not realize this.
Women often avoid sex with their partners because of vaginal dryness without speaking to them about the reason for this avoidance of sex. This causes a great communication divide. Some of my patients were thought to have been having an extra-marital affair by their partners because of vaginal dryness that led to low libido. It is incumbent upon a person in any intimate relationship to get the help they need if their problem is impacting one’s sex life.
Vaginal dryness is not limited only to those women who are sexually active. Vaginal dryness does not discriminate. This is one of the greatest myths associated with vaginal concerns such as vaginal dryness. Women assume if they are not sexually active, they cannot have vaginal dryness. Nothing could be further from the truth.
One of the reasons that so few women discuss their vaginal health concerns with their doctors is because women do not realize it is a medical problem. They may begin to suffer sexual pain from vaginal dryness but often are told this is in their head. They may be embarrassed by vaginal health concerns, too embarrassed to mention this to their doctors because sex is still shrouded in shame in our society.
Vaginal dryness is a health condition that is easily treated today with personal moisturizers. Gynatrof is one such moisturizer on the market today, an over the counter product, available without a prescription like so many of the personal moisturizers. Gynatrof contains hyaluronic acid a key ingredient often found in expensive facial moisturizers. As I say, it is just as important to moisturize your vagina as it is your face. Another ingredient in Gynatrof is Vitamin E which helps to keep vaginal tissues youthful and elastic.
Personal moisturizers must be used routinely and for the rest of a woman’s life or the vaginal dryness will return. Gynatrof is also nice because a woman who is sexually active can use it during sex as a lubricant. The more information we can provide to women about vaginal and sexual health concerns the better. This will help women to lead healthier lives and have better relationships. Women are living a lot longer these days and we may as well live them in the best way possible!
Maureen McGrath is a Registered Nurse host of the Sunday Night Sex Show on News Talk 980 CKNW, feminist, women’s health expert and a 2016 TED speaker on the Sexless Marriage. Her book is available on Amazon.ca : Sex & Health: Why One Can’t Come Without The Other. She is recipient of the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Catalyst Award 2016 and a finalist for YWCA Women of Distinction.
