It’s no secret that your body changes as you age. Lines and wrinkles begin appearing across your face, you notice more aches and pains in daily life, and sex doesn’t feel the way it used to.
Vaginal dryness and discomfort, pain with intercourse, and even urinary incontinence are common among women during and after menopause. These issues are all symptoms of a type of sexual dysfunction known as vaginal atrophy.
Sexual issues like these can be a source of embarrassment, but you’re not alone. More than 2 in 5 women struggle with sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives, and vaginal atrophy affects about half of all women after menopause.
Plus, vaginal atrophy is treatable — so you don’t have to suffer in silence. Daniel Moghadam, MD, and our team at Modern Aesthetica work with women to relieve the symptoms of sexual dysfunction and revitalize their confidence.
Every woman’s sex life is unique, but getting older often triggers changes that make sex painful or unappealing.
Vaginal atrophy is common after menopause because your body has less estrogen. Lower estrogen levels make the tissue lining your vagina thinner and drier, and a few of the most common symptoms are:
The most common symptom of vaginal atrophy is vaginal dryness. Dry vaginal tissue can be uncomfortable, and you might experience burning or itching sensations.
Vaginal dryness also contributes to painful sex. Decreased estrogen levels reduce your body’s ability to maintain natural vaginal lubrication, even when you’re aroused. As a result, penetration can cause pain and you may also experience spotting or bleeding after sex.
For many women with vaginal atrophy, vaginal discomfort and painful intercourse make it difficult or impossible to achieve orgasm. Couple these challenges with a decreased libido, and sexual activity can become downright unpleasant.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy aren’t limited to your sex life. You may also experience urinary issues that can include frequent urges to urinate and pain or burning with urination. Stress incontinence is also common, and some women notice increased urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Do these symptoms sound familiar to you? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Moghadam to find out if you could be suffering from vaginal atrophy or other age-related changes.
Our team specializes in compassionate, comprehensive care to help you feel your best. For women bothered by vaginal atrophy, we often recommend the O-Shot®: a nonsurgical vaginal revitalization technique using platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
The O-Shot stimulates vaginal tissue growth and accelerates healing. It boosts collagen production and blood flow, effectively minimizing some of the most bothersome symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
If you’re in menopause, talk to Dr. Moghadam about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). BHRT could be an option for you if you’re bothered by severe menopausal symptoms, from hot flashes and insomnia to low libido and fatigue. BHRT works by rebalancing your hormones to relieve your symptoms.
Vaginal atrophy can limit your sex life and your happiness, but it doesn’t have to. Call our Santa Monica, California, office at 310-975-3918 or request your first appointment online now.
