Best Ways to Prevent (and Lessen) Vaginal Atrophy

While preventing VA entirely might not be possible because estrogen loss is a natural process, identifying symptoms early and intervening can prevent the condition from getting worse. A big first step is talking about it, and “normalizing that this is something that a lot of women are experiencing,” says Makeba Williams, M.D., an OB-GYN at UW Health in Madison, WI. While women might swap stories on night sweats and hot flashes, few talk about vaginal dryness with their friends, she says. Dr. Williams discusses VA with her patients even before they enter menopause: “It’s beginning to start that conversation.”

It is common knowledge that smoking can lead to cancer and heart disease, but did you know, smoking can also increase your chances of developing VA? Nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco products, affects the circulatory system and may slow blood flow to tissues, including the vagina. Smoking can also reduce the beneficial effects of estrogen, leading to irritation, dryness, and other symptoms associated with VA. As if you needed another reason to quit!

结果，在纽约翰耶尔·斯医学院耶鲁医学院的妇科医生Mary Jane Minkin说，性别对你有益于你，比赛。它可能只是预防或减少VA的票据。她说，常规性别会增加骨盆血流量，这有助于保持阴道组织健康并添加水分。但这并不意味着患者应该忍受痛苦的性别：治疗可以帮助缓解症状，使性交更加愉快（更稍后更多）。

没有性伴侣，也没有兴趣与别人发生性关系？振动器或其他刺激性的玩具工作也可以增加血液流向骨盆区域。威廉姆斯博士说，扩张伸展阴道的管状物体也可用于帮助保持组织更有弹性。阴道通道可以在更年期期间缩短和窄，并且使用扩张器可以帮助保持其形状。

If you are already experiencing dryness, using a gentle, unscented soap to wash your vaginal area can prevent VA from worsening, says Dr. Minkin. Fragrant soaps, bubble baths, lotions, or other products with perfumes can irritate this already sensitive area. Avoid douching, as it can increase dryness. It can also disrupt the balance of bacteria in the vagina, making you more vulnerable to urinary tract infections.

While underwear choice won’t prevent you from developing VA, choosing breathable fabrics can help ease irritation, says Dr. Williams. Synthetic materials can agitate sensitive areas and trap sweat, increasing the risk for infection, so she advises patients to stick to cotton underwear. At night, considering going commando to let the area breathe. Avoid wearing pads and pantiliners every day, as they can cause friction and irritate the skin.

We just want you to know, if youdo开发VA，有很多治疗方法。使用过度计量的保湿剂每周几天可以再水化阴道组织，并使用润滑剂可以帮助缓解性活动期间的疼痛。但最有效的治疗方法解决了条件的原因：雌激素的丧失雌激素，M.D.，Brigham和女性医院绝经和中美生诊所的医生，在马萨诸塞州波士顿。激素治疗不仅可以治疗VA的症状，还可以帮助恢复受影响的组织，并在阴道中保持健康的pH平衡。

Pelvic floor physical therapy (PT) can also help lessen VA symptoms like pain during sex, and prevent progression. This type of PT goes beyond regular Kegels to focus on restoring strength and function to the muscles that support the pelvis, like your hip flexors and core, Dr. Hirsch. And exercises designed to relax muscles can sometimes be more helpful to patients than just tightening exercises alone, she says. These exercises can also help treat urinary problems that come along with VA, like bladder leakage.

Though women going through menopause are at the most risk for VA, younger women can also develop this condition. The body dials down estrogen production while breastfeeding, which can put mothers in a “menopause-like state,” says Dr. Minkin, which can lead to dryness and irritation. Chemotherapy or radiation for pelvic cancers can have a similar effect, as these treatments can impact the normal functioning of the ovaries, which produce estrogen. By being aware of your risk factors, you can identify and treat the condition to prevent it from worsening.