Everyone feels uncomfortable enough to both tolerate and talk about the down there stuff openly. But encountering vaginal dryness during pregnancy is fairly common.
And the fact that you didn’t know it’s common is simple, nobody talks about it.
Being dried out there can cause itchy, burning and feeling uncomfortable all the time. Plus, it makes sexual intercourse not satisfying but fairly painful.
But worse, vaginal dryness if not treated can lead to sores and cracks in your vaginal tissue.
So, if you are wondering how to prevent it then it’s the only read you should ever read. (And will regret in case you won’t proceed)
By this article you will find out what vaginal dryness actually is, its causes, effects, symptoms, and the easy preventions to take while expecting.
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So, without any further delay let’s get moving.
WHAT IS VAGINAL DRYNESS?
Vaginal dryness is referred to when your vagina doesn’t produce enough cervical mucus.
This factor can leave you feeling itchy, dry and having an uncomfortable sensation out there.
Moreover, vaginal dryness is quite a common problem that most women run into. It especially happens in pregnant women.
WHAT CAUSES DRYNESS DURING PREGNANCY?
Dryness in vagina in the gestational period can be the outcome of multiple factors.
For example, you are likely to experience it for the reasons including the below ones.
HORMONAL CHANGES
Your body undergoes a surge of hormones during pregnancy.
Estrogen- a hormone that is responsible for keeping your vagina moist faces a drop down in this period.
So, for the reason that the estrogen levels in your body are dropping, the likelihood of facing a dry vagina increases.
This is why almost all women go through the feeling of a dry vagina at some point of their pregnancy.
Accompanied by the drop of estrogen, the progesterone hormone shoots up.
This factor can even contribute to the result of a dry out down there.
DEHYDRATION
Getting dehydrated can also be a risk factor for dryness.
This is because; water helps your vagina to stay moist.
So, if you are having a lack of it, the tissues present out there are likely to be dry, leading to dryness in pregnancy.
However, dehydration can be far more problematic than just a dry vagina. So, you must know how to deal with dehydration during pregnancy smartly.
SMOKING
Smoking is one of the elements that significantly cause vaginal dryness.
It causes this issue on account of affecting proper blood flow to your body’s tissues, also including the ones present in your genital area.
Thus, the lesser blood flow to vagina ultimately causes dryness.
In addition, Smoking can be fatal for pregnancy.
It can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, still birth, cleft lips, placental abruption, high blood pressure and more.
So, quit it (only if you smoke) for the welfare of your baby.
IMMUNE DISORDERS
Certain immune disorders can lead to dryness of vagina.
For example, an immune disorder named sjogren’s syndrome.
This immune disorder affects the glands that keep the vagina moist. And the latter automatically drags the result of vaginal dryness.
Also Read: how to boost immunity during pregnancy naturally
DOUCHING
Douches are just not good for your vagina.
Aiming to gain freshness, you may unknowingly irritate the healthy environment of your vagina by regular douches.
This factor can result in irritation, common infections and dryness.
Plus, it even contributes to the likelihood of yeast infection, urinary tract infection and bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.
EXCESSIVE STRESS
Although stress and vaginal dryness may seem two opposite things still they share an intense relationship that only harms you.
Going through excessive stress and anxiety can hinder the blood flow to your vagina.
This factor can disturb the process of natural lubrication, causing vaginal dryness.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
If you’re diabetic, vaginal dryness is likely to happen a lot.
That’s because poorly managed sugar levels can damage the blood vessels present in your vagina.
So, the less blood flow there, the less is the lubrication and the more is the dryness.
So, manage gestational diabetes by any means whatsoever.
CAUSES OF VAGINAL DRYNESS: CHECKLIST
These are the causes of vaginal dryness in pregnant women.
- Hormonal changes
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Immune disorders
- Douching
- Excessive stress
- Gestational diabetes
VAGINAL DRYNESS SYMPTOMS
While struggling with dryness down there you can encounter uneasy symptoms including,
- Lesser interest in sex
- Discomfort while penetration of penis
- Vaginal burning, itching or stinging
- Urinary tract infections that don’t go away on their own
- Light bleeding after sex
- Soreness around the vagina
HOW TO PREVENT VAGINAL DRYNESS DURING PREGNANCY?
Almost all women face vaginal dryness at some point of their lives.
It’s so ordinary and you won’t believe it, takes only a few steps to deal with.
Allow yourself to benefit from these following tips to get rid of vaginal dryness during pregnancy effortlessly.
STAY WELL HYDRATED
Proper hydration can easily combat vaginal dryness.
It can prevent the drying of the outside skin of your vagina including labia majora and labia minora.
So, for the sake of staying well hydrated, you can intake pregnancy smoothies, safe fruit and vegetable juices, unsweetened cranberry juice along with water in your daily routine.
You can also consider having hydrating veggies and fruits including watermelon, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, berries and orange to keep your fluid level up.
Also avoid caffeine and other dehydrating foods like junk foods that drain you out with no time.
QUIT SMOKING
Smoking is that bad guy you must stay away from.
It’s more likely to cause most of the concerning problems that you would never want to run into, especially that itchy, dry vagina (ouch!).
So, quit it now.
Or you can go through this to keep this bad habit at bay.
RELEASE STRESS
Being stressed out can wreak havoc on both your physical and mental health.
Besides, it’s a silent contributor to the dried vagina. So, you need to deal with it as soon as possible.
For that reason, you can meditate, listen to soft music, do yoga, have a warm pleasant bath or do whatever that relaxes you down.
Also Read: benefits of walking during pregnancy (hint: it eases stress)
DO NOT DO DOUCHES
As you needed another reason to avoid douching, it lets your vagina to dry out.
The chemical compounds present in douches can dry out your vagina with no time. It can also worsen the symptoms associated with dryness in vagina during pregnancy.
So, forget to douche no matter what.
Moreover, you don’t even need it as your body naturally flushes and clans your vagina.
You have to give up using any scented or perfumed soaps, lubricants, moisturizer, and powder in your genital area for better safe results.
DO THE BEST FOR YOUR V-ZONE
Vagina is of course the most sensitive opening of your body.
Thus, you have to care for it. A lot.
For that reason, you can undertake healthy and hygienic habits including the below ones,
- Consider wearing a cotton breathable underwear
- Nix underwear at night
- Be aware of sweaty clothes and swimsuits
- Avoid using any perfumed lotion, moisturizer, soaps in your genital area
BE WELL PREPARED FOR SEX
Vaginal dryness during sex can be painful. And it can make penetration feel less satisfied but extremely uncomfortable.
Moreover, you may bleed afterwards because this can damage the tissues located in the vagina or cervix.
In this case medical attention is required.
So, consider these tips on order to alleviate this uncomfortable sex during pregnancy.
- Use any water based lubricant before sex. You can apply this in and around of your vagina or on suggest your partner to apply on his penis
- You can also use safe lotion, moisturizers, creams instead of only lubricants
- Do not use any scented soaps in or around your vagina
- Add more foreplay before sexual intercourse aiming to feel more aroused
- Avoid lubricants with glycerin. They can feed bad bacteria in your vagina and promote pH imbalances there
- If you are using condoms then avoid the ones containing nonoxynol-9 or N-9. They hold certain chemicals that can flare up dryness
So these are the measures you can implement while having sex with vaginal dryness during pregnancy.
CHOOSE SOMETHING NATURAL
Natural lubricants are best for sexual intercourse.
You can use them inside and out as they won’t lead to any infections and diseases.
You might like using natural oils in and out of your vagina or on your partner’s penis.
For example, you can use natural oils including,
- grape seed oil
- olive oil
- sunflower oil
- sweet almond oil
- coconut oil
So, these are the measures you should prefer to keep vaginal dryness while pregnant at bay.
EFFECTS OF DRY VAGINA IN PREGNANCY
More often than not, vaginal dryness is not a matter of concern.
But if you are facing it in a frequent manner and pains associated with it are gradually increasing, you should seek medical help.
Vaginal dryness when left untreated can cause sores or cracking in the vaginal tissues. These factors can be accompanied by severe bleeding and discomfort.
VAGINAL DRYNESS TREATMENT
There are a host of OTC lubricants that can be used for reducing dryness and discomfort.
However, you should choose a lubricant specifically intended for vaginal use instead of any petroleum jelly and mineral oils.
Avoid the lubricants that are perfumed, contain herbal extracts or are artificially colored.
Besides, barring on any feeling embarrassed, you can directly consult with your healthcare provider or midwife.
They will prescribe you the safest medication for usage.
Most often, a healthcare provider prescribes an estrogen therapy in the form of a pill, cream or ring to release estrogen to the affected area for relieving dryness.
VAGINAL DRYNESS DURING PREGNANCY: WHEN TO CALL DOCTOR?
A dry vagina may seem only a mere problem while dealing with bombarding effects of weird pregnancy symptoms including morning sickness, bloating, sore breasts, nosebleeds and what not to count.
But seek clinical help right away in case you are facing any of these following symptoms while vaginal dryness.
- The pain lasts beyond few days
- Vaginal bleeding
- If it interfere with your daily activities
- If it’s affecting your sex life and relationship with partner
- vaginal dryness occur in frequent manner
- bleeding after sex
- if you notice any strange discharge or fluid
- incase feeling concerned by any health related factors
you should not ignore any of these symptoms along with vaginal dryness while pregnant.
Instead, check for it to get some suitable relief.
VAGINAL DRYNESS DURING PREGNANCY: FAQS
Is it normal to be dry down there in early pregnancy?
It’s pretty normal to dry down there in early pregnancy because of rapid hormonal changes. In this period your body undergoes an imbalance in estrogen which is responsible for maintain virginal lubrication. So, at the end it results in vaginal dryness.
Is vaginal dryness a sign of pregnancy?
Pregnancy causes vast changes in your hormonal levels. This change, however, can lead to a decrease in estrogen hormone that maintains the process of vaginal lubrication. So the less is the estrogen the more you are probable for a dry vag.
Is dryness a sign of period or pregnancy?
Vaginal dryness can be the sign of both pregnancy and period. In pregnancy and before a week of period, the estrogen levels drop. As estrogen is accountable for vaginal lubrication, a decrease in it may lead to vaginal dryness .
FINAL WORDS FROM PREGARLYBODY
About 90% of women with vaginal discomfort feel shy to seek treatment, exactly what that’s concerning.
Although vaginal dryness is fairly customary and can be a source of embarrassment, you must talk about it frankly enough.
Always remember that ignorance isn’t the solution. It’s just a step ahead to the complicated destination.
So, never ever ignore to treat your V-zone with proper attention.
Taking preventive measures, on the other hand, can work magic to ward off vaginal dryness.
So, add these healthy tips addressed in this article to prevent vaginal dryness during pregnancy.
Besides, if you like then you can read my article next that provides the tips and tricks to trick headache during pregnancy.
It’s an informative article that you are likely to consider a worth read only if you proceed.
All at the end, pregarlybody wishes you a healthy pregnancy ahead.
