Suffering from dry mucous membranes? It's more common than you think

Today we live in a more open society, where many of the taboos of the past are being lifted, but it's not always easy to talk about dry mucous membranes - especially for younger women. It doesn't come naturally to blurt out "Oh, I have such incredibly dry mucous membranes, what's it like for you?" at a girls' dinner. At least not for everyone. In fact, we get a lot of emails from younger women telling us that they suffer from dry mucous membranes. But what is the cause of this? Many of the stories from our customers also show that they've had this problem for many years, long before the menopause. What is the cause of this? Are there different causes for younger and older women, and what can be done about it?

WHAT IS DRY MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Dry mucous membranes mean that the natural moisture level in the vagina is reduced, which can lead to discomfort and irritation. The skin may feel tight, itchy or even burning. This is a frustrating and sometimes embarrassing experience for many young women, especially as it is often associated with older women and the menopause. You may also have symptoms that you don't realise are linked to dry mucous membranes.

The symptoms of dry mucous membranes include
🌸 Sweating and irritation in the abdomen
🌸 Pain or discomfort during intercourse
🌸 Feeling of dryness and tightness
🌸 Recurrent urinary tract infections
🌸 Itching and redness

PREJUDICES AND FACTS: IT'S NOT JUST OLDER WOMEN WHO SUFFER
A common misconception is that dry mucous membranes only affect menopausal women. The truth is that many younger women also suffer from this problem. In other words, dry mucous membranes are a problem that can affect women of all ages. Just as importantly, not all menopausal women suffer from dry mucous membranes 😊. Research shows that approximately 50-60% of menopausal women experience mucosal dryness, which means that a significant proportion of women do not have this problem despite hormonal changes. It shows that every woman's body is unique ❤️ and reacts differently to ageing and hormonal changes.

CAUSES OF DRY MUCOUS MEMBRANES IN YOUNGER WOMEN
There are several factors that can cause dry mucous membranes in younger women:

1. Hormonal changes
🌸 Birth control pills: Many contraceptive pills contain synthetic hormones that can reduce the body's natural production of oestrogen. Estrogen is important for keeping mucous membranes moist and elastic. When oestrogen levels drop, this can lead to dry mucous membranes.
🌸 Breastfeeding and labour: Estrogen levels drop after childbirth and during breastfeeding, which can lead to vaginal dryness.

2. Medication
🌸 SSRIs (antidepressants): Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can affect the body in many ways, including by reducing the natural moisture in the vagina.
🌸 Antihistamines: Antihistamines are often used to treat allergies and can have a drying effect on the body's mucous membranes, including the vaginal ones.

Read the blog about dry mucous membranes when using antidepressants here.

3. Stress and lifestyle
 🌸 Stress: High stress levels can affect the body's hormonal balance and reduce blood flow to the vagina, which can lead to dryness. Stress also affects the immune system, which can make the body more susceptible to infections and irritations.
🌸 Poor sleep: Lack of sleep can affect the body's ability to produce and regulate hormones, which in turn can affect the mucous membranes.

Read the blog about stress and hormones here.

4. Hygienic habits
🌸 Intimate washing with soap: Soap can affect the natural pH balance of the vagina and dry out the mucous membranes.  Use V Cleanser intimate wash instead, which gently cleanses while moisturising 🙌
🌸 Hard shaving: Shaving can irritate and damage mucous membranes. Consider trimming instead of shaving completely.

Buy VagiVital V Cleanser intimate wash with unique moisturising properties here.

5. Diseases and other medical conditions
🌸 Autoimmune diseases: Diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome can affect the body's ability to produce moisture, which can lead to dry mucous membranes.
🌸 Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can affect blood circulation and nerve function, which can lead to vaginal dryness.

Read the blog about Sjögren's syndrome here.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DRY MUCOUS MEMBRANES?
Managing dry mucous membranes often requires a combination of measures:
🧼 Avoid using soap down below: Soap disrupts the natural pH balance and dries out the mucous membranes. Even "mild" soap can disrupt the natural pH balance and cause irritation and infection. Remember this rhyme; using soap below, is a no-no!
🪒 Stop harsh intimate shaving: Shaving can irritate and damage mucous membranes. Consider trimming instead of shaving completely.
❤️ Use lube during intercourse: Water-based lube can reduce friction and make sex more comfortable. VagiVital moisturising lube is launching soon - stay tuned 🙌
💧 Try VagiVital AktivGel: A hormone-free gel for dry mucous membranes that has been clinically tested at Swedish university hospitals. It is suitable for women of all ages and can be used daily. The best results are achieved after 90 days of use, which corresponds to 3 tubes.

Buy VagiVital AktivGel for dry mucus membranes here.

RESEARCH AND STUDIES
Research shows that vaginal dryness can affect women of all ages and that the problem is often underdiagnosed in younger women. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2015 showed that vaginal dryness is not just a problem for older women, but can affect women of all ages. According to the same study, up to 17% of women aged 18-50 may experience vaginal dryness at some point in their lives.

Another study published in Obstetrics & Gynaecology found that almost a fifth, or 19%, of women under the age of 40 reported symptoms of vaginal dryness. These findings emphasise the importance of recognising and treating this problem even in younger women, as it is often overlooked in medical settings. It's clearly a common problem that can affect the quality of life of women of all ages, although it may not always feel that way to a young woman who feels alone with the problems of vaginal dryness ❤️

TRY VAGIVITAL INTIMATE CARE KIT FOR DRY MUCOUS MEMBRANES

This is a duo with unique properties for maximum moisturisation and is a lifesaver for dry mucous membranes 💧🙌 Our dry mucous membrane kit is suitable for women of all ages and contains a tube of VagiVital AktivGel and VagiVital V Cleanser intimate wash.

Buy VagiVital Intimate Moisture Kit and get 10% discount here.

It’s time to break the stigma and realise that dry mucous membranes are not just a symptom of menopause, but can affect all women at different ages and for different reasons - but there is help available ❤️

Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive ❤️

/Fanny Falkman Grinndal

Business Manager Nordics

Peptonic Medical AB

fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se