Painful relations

[danigirl]

I am 51 and about 4 months ago I stopped having my period and since then intercourse is extremely painful. I still have a sex drive, but it hurts so much. My husband and i have a very active sex life and this is making me frustrated and depressed. Has anyone out there experienced this too?? I don't know what to do.

[juday]

Make an appointment with a doctor who understands natural bioidentical hormone replacement and consider this for a few months to get you through the start of menopause. Less Estrogen in the body = more vaginal dryness... and yes, it IS painful. Also since you are only four months into menopause, your body will be adjusting for quite some time. Read all the info here and feel free to talk to Marla and her staff at WHA. They have been pioneers in women's health and I have known them from the very start 25 years ago. Reliable and common sense advice is what you get at WHA.

I have found the WHA Restore cream for this vaginal dryness problem to be helpful. Find it in the store here onlne. It was difficult if not impossible in 1980s to find an openminded physician to sign me up for the Restore program but it was worth every penny to do thes aliva tests to find out what my hormone levels were so my estrogen/ progesterone doses could be titrated properly. My former doctor had me on way too high a dose and I was going nuts! The saliva tests results helped WHA work with my new doc to get a balanced dose. I only used biodentical hormones for less than two years and then my body had adjusted apart from the dryness.... same with hair and skin as we age! I had used their progesterone for a number of years to control my PMS and it was a lifesaver .... believe me. And no, I am not paid to say these nice things- just grateful to Marla for her dedication and determination to provide women with a top quality option with excellent customer communication.

[marym]

Hi, I recently bought some of your Vaginal Moisturizing cream. There was an applicater that came with it but I don't know how to use it. DOes the cream go on the outside or the inside? And how often should I be using it? My husband thinks its for lube during intercourse but that's not what I understood when I ordered it here - can you clear that up for me?

[MSLEE]

You can buy Astroglide as well as other vaginal moisturizing products right from this site! Check out the options, write them down or print them off, and then discuss with your Dr. which would be best for you.

[wha]

Dear Danigirl,

For many women, vaginal dryness is a very real problem that affects not only sexual relationships, but also quality of life.

Decreased lubrication, dryness, itching, and burning are often the first signs of change noticed during perimenopause, and the symptoms can last well into menopause itself.

As hormonal changes occur and estrogen levels drop, the vaginal lining thins and the walls become dryer and less elastic. The thin surface can be easily irritated during intercourse, especially if it is infrequent.

Dryness occurs because of diminished blood flow to the vaginal walls, fewer cells lining the walls, less mucus produced by the cervix, and less fluid in general. Without the usual moisture, the vagina fails to lubricate properly during sexual arousal and intercourse, which may result in difficult or painful sexual relations.

Regular sexual intercourse can help keep the vagina moist and toned, but of course it can be difficult to maintain an active sex life if you’re experiencing pain.

Don’t despair - there is good news! There are several non-prescription and low-dose natural prescription options available to help relieve the symptoms of vaginal dryness.

One non-prescription option is a lubricant. When used during sexual relations, lubricants can often make intercourse more comfortable. We offer two excellent products in our Health Store that can help ease the discomfort of painful intercourse – Crème de la Femme and Astroglide.

Both products are a great choice if you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms during intercourse. However, lubricants alone fail to address the underlying problem of round-the-clock vaginal dryness or any discomfort outside of intimate moments.

Another option is a vaginal moisturizer. These products help restore vaginal moisture by causing the vagina to retain its own natural fluids.

Our advanced formula Restore BioBalance Vaginal Moisturizing Cream with Phyto Estrogens combines natural ingredients that promote comfort and health for sensitive vaginal tissues. This silky, luxurious cream offers immediate relief for uncomfortable symptoms – but it works over time as well, helping your body to restore and maintain its own natural level of moisture. And because it’s made from the highest quality, all-natural ingredients, it can be used daily or as needed.

Another choice for long-lasting moisturizing relief is Replens. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, this excellent vaginal moisturizer soothes soreness without creating additional chemical irritation. For your ease and comfort, Replens is available in eight pre-filled applicators from our Health Store. (Please note that this product does not contain estrogen.)

Some women have tried every over-the-counter product on the market and yet still suffer from the pain and discomfort of vaginal dryness. If this describes you, we encourage you to contact your healthcare provider and ask about compounded, natural low-dose prescription estrogen. When prescribed in a cream which can be inserted directly into the vagina, estrogen can be especially useful in treating dryness.

Low-dose estrogen therapy delivered directly to the vaginal area has a localized effect that rebuilds the lining of the vagina and urethra by promoting collagen production. Low-dose estrogen absorbed vaginally:

• helps maintain muscle tone of the vagina and urethra
• reduces vaginal dryness, irritation, and pain
• reduces urinary tract irritation and tendency towards infection

In most cases, there is noticeable improvement in vaginal dryness and sensitivity after one month of vaginal estrogen treatment. More complete restoration of vaginal and urethral weakening generally occurs within 6 to 12 months.

Your sex life should be a source of joy for you and your partner – don’t suffer through vaginal pain, discomfort, or dryness any longer! We urge you to consider the products profiled above, and to contact us with any questions or concerns.

As always, we wish you the best of health!

Marla

** Be sure to check out our Vaginal Health Essentials kit in the Health Store! In this unique package, you’ll find a 2oz. tube of our best-selling Restore BioBalance Vaginal Moisturizing Cream, a pHem-Alert Vaginal pH test, and much more. In terms of vaginal health, it’s the best value around!

[chris1951]

At your age, do yourself a favor and have all your hormones checked. You can mask the problem with lubricants, but correcting Estrogen and Testosterone (and other hormone levels) can often help solve this and a multitude of other 'sins.'