How to Increase Lubrication During the Menopause

Achieving betterlubrication during the menopauseis one of the goals for many women at this stage. The hormonal decline they experience affects the menstrual cycle, but also their hair, skin and mucous membranes. Vaginal dryness is one of the symptoms that can reduce quality of life. It is very uncomfortable, but not something women should simply put up with. Nowadays, different products can be used such as, for example,lubricating pessaries for the menopause. In any case, treatments aim to improve physiological characteristics and relieve symptoms. These include both hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, and many women choosenatural lubricants for the menopause.

Why is there less lubrication during the menopause?

In the vaginal area,oestrogensperform different functions. In addition, their decline during the menopause triggers a series of changes that cause vaginal atrophy. On the other hand, the maturation of the cells that produce glycogen is significantly reduced. Glycogen is the food source for the vaginal bacterial flora and lactobacilli, which also reduces their population. As a result,less lactic acid is produced and the pH increases. This, in turn, reduces blood flow and the production of secretions. In short, all these changes make the vaginal arealess elastic, drier, thinner and more prone to infection. As a result, women experience discomfort and irritation, which can also make sexual intercourse more difficult.

How to increase lubrication during the menopause?

Vaginal dryness can also be caused by multiple factors. However, here are some tips and remedies that may help improvelubrication during the menopause.

Change your lifestyle

Making a few changes and adopting healthier daily habits can help reduce dryness and vulval pain. For example,smoking is a modifiable risk factor. It affects blood circulation and reduces the effects of natural oestrogens in the body. Therefore, stopping smoking is a very worthwhile step to help relieve vaginal dryness during the menopause. The same applies, in a similar way, when consumingcannabis and alcohol. On the other hand,maintaining a healthy weight by avoiding a sedentary lifestyleand obesity also helps preserve natural lubrication. Stressis not helpful during this stage either, as it can worsen the lack oflubrication during the menopause. This is because it increases cortisol levels in the blood and disrupts the secretion of sex hormones such as oestrogens, which affect vaginal hydration. Maintaining ahealthy dietis also an excellent preventive measure, as some foods act as anatural lubricant and help against dryness during the menopause. It is important to include foods such as eggs, salmon, nuts, olive oil and butter. Likewise,having sex regularlyencourages blood flow, elasticity and vaginal lubrication.

Take care of intimate hygiene

Excessive genital hygiene or using harsh soaps are habits that can cause vaginal dryness. That is why atFarmaciasdirectwe always recommendusing specific productsthat care for and respect the physiological conditions of this area. You shouldlimit washing to the external genital area and use lukewarm water. Afterwards, it is advisable to dry the area with a towel, butwithout rubbing. This helps prevent irritation of the vulvovaginal mucosa or disruption of the microbiota. As a result, dryness and atrophy are not made worse. Another way to help maintain lubrication is bywearing suitable underwear. Synthetic or nylon fibres, tight trousers and scented sanitary pads are not recommended.

Using lubricants and moisturising gels

In our online shop, you can buy different creams and moisturising gels that help tackle vaginal dryness, as well as other products that act as moisturisers. This is the case withSensilube by Durex lubricantwhich, thanks to its formulation, helps mimic natural lubrication while moisturising the intimate area and providing comfort. In addition, it is suitable for daily use, colourless, odourless and compatible with condoms. In fact, these are known as oestrogen-free lubricating creams. When applied, they provide substances capable of retaining water and releasing it very slowly. One of the active ingredients most commonly used in these products ishyaluronic acid, due to its regenerative properties and because it helps preserve the integrity of the mucosa. As a result, greater lubrication is achieved and itching, burning and pain during sex are reduced. For the best possible effectiveness, it is recommended touse them more than once a week. They can also be used during sexual intercourse to reduce the irritation caused by friction on the mucosa.

Pharmacological treatments

Hormonal treatments based on oestrogens are effective for improving lubrication andcombating vaginal dryness during the menopause. They also help with other symptoms associated with genital atrophy. However, unlike lubricating creams for the menopause,they are not free from side effects. This is why they are generally recommended for cases of moderate to severe atrophy and dryness. Oestrogensare available as tablets, creams, rings or vaginal pessaries. Improvement is significant in between 80% and 90% of women after treatment lasting between one and two months. For their part,lubricating creams with oestrogenshave minimal systemic absorption and are generally well tolerated. However, some women experience side effects such as irritability, nausea, dizziness, and breast pain or tenderness. Another option issystemic hormonal treatments. These are limited to women who havemoderate to severe hot flushesand other symptoms in the urogenital area, in addition to low vaginal lubrication. Lastly,phytotherapyis also one of the options for these treatments. In this case, evening primrose oil, borage oil, maca and green tea are used. AtFarmaciasdirectwe offervarious solutions for menopause lubrication problems. Even so, if symptoms persist, the right thing to do is to see a gynaecologist for a more thorough assessment.