Fatigue, nausea, and missed periods are well-known pregnancy signs during the early stages. Adding to them, pregnancy can bring a variety of symptoms that a woman may hesitate to discuss.
One of the symptoms among them is vaginal dryness. Some women experience dryness of the vagina during their pregnancy due to several reasons and it makes them uncomfortable.
So, what should you do to treat vaginal dryness? Let’s know about such things in the upcoming sections.
Relationship Between Pregnancy and Vaginal Changes
First, you need to know what vaginal dryness is and why it occurs during sensitive phases of a woman’s life. Then, you’ll easily understand the point of how pregnancy and vaginal dryness are interconnected.
What is vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is nothing but the tissues and wall around the vagina are not properly moisturized. This can lead to uneasiness and vaginal itching, particularly during sex. Vaginal dryness occurs because of dehydration and reduced levels of estrogen in your body.
Vaginal dryness is a sign of Pregnancy?
During gestation, a woman’s body undergoes various hormonal shifts that might have an impact on the vagina. When asking whether vaginal dryness is a sign of pregnancy or not. The answer isn’t a straightforward “yes” or “no”. It’s because some women experience increased vaginal discharge, while others may notice dryness.
Understanding the common causes of vaginal changes during pregnancy help determine when dryness might be linked to pregnancy or if it’s caused by something else.
Common Causes of Vaginal Dryness during pregnancy
Hormonal changes
Everyone knows that hormonal fluctuations are common during the gestation period. The estrogen levels start falling after childbirth while breastfeeding and throughout pregnancy.
It is a significant reason for the dryness of the vagina. Estrogen helps to keep the vagina moist and tissues flexible.
Reduction of estrogen production during pregnancy, post-delivery, and breastfeeding results in dryness.
Dehydration
Typically, adequate water is essential for improved skin health and overall wellness of the body. Drinking less amount of water can have many potential defects inside your body including vaginal dryness.
So, drink an adequate amount of water to keep yourself hydrated and stay away from vaginal dryness, Drinking water after sex may help vaginal dryness.
Other Causes of Vaginal Dryness in Women Trying to Conceive
Do you know what could be the reason for vaginal dryness? Excessive sex results in vaginal dryness. It’s quite peculiar, right? Yeah, women trying to conceive might have sex frequently to witness successful pregnancy outcomes.
If this is the case, dryness happens due to insufficient mucus secretions post-repeated intercourse. Along with dryness, you could also experience discomfort and pain. So, stop having sex and take some time to rest and recover.
Plus, not being sexually aroused can also be a reason for vaginal dryness. As a result of low sexual desire, you may experience difficulties in conception. So, you and your partner can undergo counseling, or try any new ideas to make out.
Apart from this, some common reasons causing vaginal dryness in women are,
- Cancer treatments like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and more.
- Diabetes.
- Birth control pills or any hormonal birth control methods.
- Taking anti-estrogen medicines.
These things may also interfere with conception and cause dryness in women. Consult your healthcare provider to check whether you’re in any of these risky situations or if any other underlying health conditions cause dryness.
Actual Early Signs of Pregnancy
Other than vaginal dryness, women may experience some other early pregnancy symptoms. It includes,
- Fatigue and nausea
- Missed period
- Mood swings
- Cramp
- Vaginal discharge
- Body temperature rises
- Morning sickness and tiredness
- Sore breasts and heartburn
- Constipation and morning sickness
Managing Vaginal Dryness
One of the best solutions to manage vaginal dryness is visiting the best gynecologist. They provide personalized care and suggest some best tips to manage vaginal dryness.
Apart from visiting a doctor, you can try these treatments that effectively ease the discomfort.
Estrogen cream
Estrogen hormone is responsible to keep the vagina moist and tissue flexible. The hormone maintains the thickness of the vaginal lining. Applying estrogen cream relieves soreness and dryness in the vagina.
This cream reduces the pain during sexual intercourse and itchiness, redness, and soreness of the vulva. Consult your doctor and get a prescribed estrogen cream to avoid potential side effects during pregnancy.
Lubricants and Moisturizers
Water-based lubricants preserve the natural pH of the vagina, so it is considered great to maintain optimal health. Women can also prefer vaginal moisturizers that help to relieve symptoms of dryness and discomfort.
Simple home remedies
Other than these two ways, you can try some simple home remedies. Women must consult their doctors to determine whether they can follow these remedies during their gestation period.
Avoid hygiene products
Yes, you read it right. Ladies must avoid some hygiene products that contain dyes and scents. Wearing these kinds of body products can irritate or dry the vaginal area.
Also, don’t use soap or other washing gel in or around your private area. It’s because the good bacteria in the vagina is enough to clean and keep the area sensitive.
Regular sex
Consistent sexual stimulation improves the blood flow and vaginal secretions. Adequate foreplay before intercourse also helps with vaginal secretions and makes sex more comfortable.
Pelvic floor exercises
These exercises strengthen weak vaginal muscles and increase the blood flow. Some of the recommended exercises are Kegels, bridge poses, pelvic tilts, bird dog, and squats.
Note: Vaginal dryness during pregnancy may or may not happen. Exercise and stretches during normal days are not a big deal, but during pregnancy, this could be a huge concern. So, pregnant ladies must consult their gynecologist before trying any of these remedies.
Conclusion
I hope you understand what vaginal dryness is and how it can be treated. Uneasiness and discomforting symptoms during pregnancy are quite common.
So, don’t get frustrated, instead discuss them with your fertility doctor. They can provide a better solution and make you feel comfortable throughout the pregnancy.
FAQs
Yes, vaginal dryness can be a symptom of both pregnancy and period. Low estrogen may lead to thinning and drying of vaginal walls, resulting in vaginal dryness.
During pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations disrupt the functioning of the mucous membrane. As a result, pregnant women can experience vaginal dryness.
A dry vagina can cause pain that makes women uncomfortable. These are the things, women can expect along with vaginal dryness,
- Burning, itching, and soreness in the vulva.
- Bleeding after sex due to breaking of vaginal wall tissues.
- Urge to pee frequently.
- Discomfort and sensing severe pain during sex.
