Vaginal Dryness from Childbirth or Menopause
At 8 West Clinic in Vancouver, BC our plastic surgeons, registered nurses and medical aestheticians work with many women who are experiencing vaginal dryness and other related symptoms that affect sexual health, offering both surgical and non surgical treatments. Pain during intercourse, vaginal dryness, difficulty holding urine (urinary incontenance) are all symptoms that the vast majority of women suffer with. Thankfully, there is a revolutionary non surgical treatment called Sciton Diva that takes less than 10 minutes to perform, has no downtime and is extremely effective.After pregnancy, many women find that theirvaginal canal and surrounding tissue stretches and doesn't return to the same state as before childbirth. The stretching that occurs can damage the vaginal walls, perineum, and surrounding tissue which causes a decrease in vaginal health and function. This decrease in function often leads to symptoms comparable to those experienced during perimenopause.A similar loss in vaginal functionis experienced during perimenopause, menopause or other life events such as a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, breast cancer medications or even breast feeding. The reduced production of the hormone estrogen leads to the drying and inflammation of the vaginal canal and thinning of the tissues. This often causes discomfort or pain during intercourse, itching and dryness, and urinary incontinence. Fortunately, withvaginal rejuvenation treatments, these ailments are treatable.
Peri Menopause Symptoms
Perimenopause refers to the time before menopause when your body naturally starts to transition to menopause.This usually happens during your 40-50's although its symptoms can start later. During this phase, many women start to experience menstrual irregularities, and may also start experiencing menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness. The sign that peri-menopause is over, and you have reached menopause is having gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
Menopause Symptoms
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and entails a variety of new symptoms in vaginal and sexual health due to the decline inestrogen levels. Estrogen plays a vital role in the control and development of female characteristics such as breast shape, body shape and hair growth. The loss in the hormone causes significant body changes for most women, thankfully most are treatable. The most common changes include:
- Vaginal Atrophy - The lining of the vagina starts to thin and becomes less elastic. The thinning of the vaginal canal causes inflammation which could lead tourinary incontinence, dryness and itching.
- Vaginal Dryness - Due to the decrease in estrogen levels and thinning tissue the vaginal canal is unable to produce lubrication. This causes itching, discomfort,and sometimes vaginal infections.
- Pain During Intercourse - Also known as dyspareunia this effects many women and is triggered by the loss of estrogen and the bodies inability to produce lubrication.
- Urinary Incontinence - Thethinning of the lining of the urethra, and weakening of thesurrounding pelvic muscles are the cause ofurinary incontinence. The two main risk factors for developing urinary incontinence are vaginal childbirth and increased age.
Treatment Options
When it comes to treating common menopausal symptoms or other symptomsand affect sexual health, there are a myriad of options available. At 8 West Clinic, we specialize in diVa Laser Vaginal Therapy, a non surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatment that has extremely high satisfaction rates. Unlike other procedures, the Sciton diVa treatment takes less than 10 minutes to perform, and has no downtime. The superior results, too, speak for themselves. Want to find out more? Contact 8 West Clinic today to have all of your questions answered.