How to Treat Vaginal Atrophy? Natural Remedies & Medical Treatments

Are you ready to break the silence over your compromised vaginal health? The dryness and discomfort down there make your sexual life feel more like a chore than a pleasure. All of this may be happening because of vaginal atrophy, which is common after you reach menopause. But what are the vaginal atrophy treatment? This may be your burning question.

You are not the only one seeking comfort. Research suggests that around 15% of women feel symptoms of vaginal atrophy before they reach menopause. After menopause, these symptoms are more common, affecting 40% to 57% of women. 

Like you, many women struggle to identify the cause and keep worrying. To clear the fog, this blog will walk you through the causes, symptoms and how to treat vaginal atrophy naturally or medically. Let’s work towards a better understanding and better solutions.

Here is the List of Best Vaginal Atrophy Treatments:

• Natural Remedies
• Medical Treatment

The vaginal lining gets dry and thin as a result of less oestrogen in your blood. This dryness and discomfort can impair your daily life, especially your sexual interaction with your partner. The goal of treatment is to restore moisture and lubrication to alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing.

We divide the Vaginal Atrophy Treatment into two categories: natural and medical options. Let’s explore!

Natural Remedies to Treat Vaginal Atrophy

When you start feeling your vagina dry and less flexible, natural remedies may help you prevent the related symptoms. Here are some natural remedies to help you with vaginal atrophy and dryness. 

1. Herbs

Herbs, such as black cohosh, sage, soy and red clover, are believed to have oestrogen-like effects and may offer relief from symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Not only this, but these herbs also help reduce other symptoms of menopause, like hot flushes, night sweats, and mood changes. According to a 2018 systematic review, herbal medicines have a significant effect on vaginal cells and cure vaginal atrophy symptoms.

These are available in the form of supplements or tea. However, you must approach herbal remedies with caution and consult your doctor. 

2. Tweak your diet

Making dietary changes to support your hormonal balance could be one of the best way to cure vaginal atrophy. You may eat foods that are rich in phytoestrogens, such as soy products, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds, which can help you support hormonal balance and reduce vaginal dryness. Avoid foods that are salty, spicy and high in fat. If you’re overweight or obese, maintain your weight, as it triggers other menopause symptoms. You may follow this amazing menopause diet plan. 

3. Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated may sound unimportant, but it is crucial. Hydration nourishes your body, which is essential for overall health, including your vaginal health. Adequate water levels promote secretion production in your vagina. These secretions, in turn, keep your vaginal tissue moist and reduce any dryness or discomfort down there. 

4. Use natural moisturisers

How to treat vaginal atrophy? Moisturise your vagina! Adding natural moisturisers such as aloe vera gel, coconut oil, seabuckthorn or olive oil can help a lot. These moisturisers, when chemical-free, provide soothing moisture to the vaginal area and promote hydration. Researchers see cannabidiol oil from hemp as an anti-swelling agent. It may help with viganal itching and burning. Just make sure that you are not allergic to the oil you are going to apply to your vagina.

5. Regular sex

Another natural way to support your vaginal health is to have sex often. Sex promotes the blood flow to your vaginal tissues, promoting natural moisture and flexibility down there. There is an increase in the production of natural vaginal secretions during sex, which ultimately helps fight dryness and discomfort. Moreover, this activity helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles for overall vaginal health. 

6. Pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises or Kegel exercises are another cure for vaginal Atrophy. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, which can improve muscle tone and promote better bladder and bowel control. Strong pelvic floor muscles can provide support for the vaginal tissues, reducing the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

7. Try dilators

These are the tools that slowly widen your vagina and help promote your sexual experience. 

Inserting a few minutes a couple of times each week should help maintain elasticity. Then, when you engage in intercourse, it shouldn’t cause pain.

Medical Vaginal Atrophy Treatment

To promote the health of your vaginal tissues and reduce symptoms of atrophy down there, here are the available medical treatment options. 

1. Non-hormonal treatment – Lubes or Moisturisers 

If you are having any difficulty during sex, you may use lubes to reduce the friction and discomfort. Prefer using oil-based lubes. Secondly, moisturise your vagina. They adhere to your vagina, keeping it hydrated and moist for longer. You may ask your doctor to prescribe you fine lubes or moisturisers. 

2. Hormonal Treatment

Hormonal treatment includes supplementing you with oestrogen that is not being produced enough in your body, i.e., hormone replacement therapy. Here is how HRT or menopause treatment can be given:

Topical oestrogen 

Topical oestrogen therapy is a helpful way to deal with vaginal atrophy, which is a common symptom of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Compared to oral use, applying oestrogen directly to the vagina has some advantages. It works best with lower doses and doesn’t spread as much oestrogen throughout the body, which can help reduce side effects.

The following are the different types of vaginal oestrogen treatments available:

1. Oestrogen cream

It is typically used at bedtime. An applicator inserts vaginal creams (like Estrace and Premarin) directly into the vagina. As per your doctor’s instructions, you can use it daily for the first one to three weeks before cutting back to once to three times a week.

2. Oestrogen Suppositories 

Low-dose oestrogen suppositories are inserted about 2 inches into the vaginal canal daily for several weeks. Afterwards, suppositories are used twice a week.

3. Oestrogen Rings

You or your doctor will insert a soft, flexible ring (Estring or Femring) into the upper part of the vagina. It releases a consistent dose of oestrogen and needs replacement every three months.

4. Vaginal Oestrogen Tablet

Vagifem is a vaginal oestrogen tablet inserted using a disposable applicator as directed by your doctor. You may begin using it daily for the first two weeks before cutting it down to twice a week.

Ospemifene 

It is a daily pill to relieve painful symptoms of sex in women with moderate to severe genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). It is not suitable for women with a history of breast cancer or a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Systemic oestrogen therapy

If vaginal dryness is accompanied by other menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, your doctor may recommend systemic oestrogen therapy. This can include oestrogen pills, patches, gel, or a higher-dose oestrogen ring. Systemic oestrogen enters your entire system and may require an additional hormone called progesterone, which your doctor will discuss with you.

Now you Know How to Treat Vaginal Atrophy!

Vaginal atrophy can significantly impact your comfort and intimacy, especially post-menopause. Natural remedies like herbs, dietary adjustments, and pelvic floor exercises offer relief and promote vaginal health. Meanwhile, medical treatments such as topical oestrogen therapy effectively replenish moisture and alleviate discomfort. Understanding your body’s needs is key to finding the right treatment. Whether opting for natural remedies or medical interventions, the goal remains consistent: to enhance comfort, restore intimacy, and improve overall quality of life. 

FAQs about Vaginal Atrophy Treatment:

Further Readings:

• 11 Best Foods to Eat During Menopause: Tasty and Healthy
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Menopause
• What are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause?
• The Menopause Diet 5-day Plan to Lose Weight
• When Does Menopause Start? 10 Early Signs
• Top 9 Vaginal Dryness Natural Remedies For Relief