7 Things You Can Do Right Now To Prevent Dryness

By Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS

Atrophy is a word no one woman ever wants to use to describe her Lady Parts. I actually cannot stand the word myself. Yet, it is used over and over again to describe older women: atrophied muscles, atrophied brain, atrophied skin, and, the worse, atrophied vagina. 
 

Modern science is not kind to women and doctors. Well… a chauvinist system has indoctrinated them. The truth is that an atrophic vagina can cause all sorts of problems for women, including urinary incontinence, prolapse, and of course, pain during intercourse. Luckily, some things can be done to help prevent or even reverse atrophy, and I’ve listed 7 of my top suggestions in this blog.
 

Here’s a crazy statistic vaginal atrophy is a very real thing that affects up to 50-60% of menopausal women, and we know first-hand how much it can affect our self-esteem, confidence, lifestyle, and love lives. I went through premature ovarian failure and menopause at the age of 41, so I know a thing or two about this topic:)
 

Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls and vulva tissues that can occur when your body has less estrogen and is exposed to toxins, inflammatory agents, or bacteria. 

Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause but can start early in many women for various reasons.  Symptoms of vaginal atrophy can include thin tissues, inflamed and red tissues, vaginal dryness, burning, itching, vaginal discharge, discomfort during intimacy, and increased urinary frequency or urgency. If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms, you’re not alone. Millions of us are in the same boat!

You can do a few things to ease the discomfort and keep your vagina healthy and well-lubricated…Here are my top 7 suggestions:

1- Stop Douching: Douching is the process of cleaning out the vagina with water or a formulated solution. Many women think that douching will help prevent pregnancy or keep them clean and fresh. However, douching can do more harm than good. The vagina is a self-cleaning oven that does not need douching or soaps. Douches and soaps can disrupt the vagina’s natural pH balance, causing dryness and irritation.

Douching can also force bacteria up into the vagina, leading to infection. If you’re concerned about odor or discharge, it’s best to consult your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Otherwise, just let your vagina do its thing—it knows best and moisturizes her well. Many women will moisturize their face, legs, and arms, but they are missing the most critical part of a self-care routine…vaginal moisturizing. And I got the perfect vaginal serum to heal dry external vulva tissues and to keep things healthy.  CLICK HERE to get yourself a bottle or three, and use the coupon code DTO10 to get an extra 10% off.

2- Avoid Thong Underwear: Thong underwear and many other types of underwear are made of synthetic materials that can irritate the delicate vulva tissues, so my recommendation is to go without underwear as much as possible and at night sleep without underwear so the vulva tissues can breathe oxygenate. Wearing thong underwear or any other synthetic underwear can cause dry vulva tissues, leading to bacteria build-up and potential infection.

It is essential to give your vulva a chance to breathe, and sleeping without underwear is one way to do that. If you must wear underwear during the day, make sure it is made of breathable cotton or another natural fabric. Give your vulva the attention it deserves, and it will thank you!

3- Get off the Pantyliner Lifestyle: Vaginal dryness is a widespread problem, especially during menopause. While there are many potential causes, one often-overlooked culprit is the use of panty liners. Pantyliners can disrupt vaginal pH, leading to tissue breakdown and an overgrowth of bacteria. If you find yourself suffering from painful dry tissues, then my Down There Oil will help you heal your tissues naturally without hormones. The oil contains a unique blend of herbs and botanicals that are designed to soothe and heal irritated tissues. 

In addition, the oil can help to restore vaginal pH balance, helping to prevent future problems. So if you’re struggling with vaginal dryness, give my Down There Oil a try. You’ll be glad you did! Click here now and use code DTO10 for an extra 10% off.

4- Avoid Chlorinated Pools: For many women, summertime means spending more time in chlorinated pools. However, many women don’t realize that chlorinated pools can cause serious vulva dryness and irritation. In my clinical experience treating over 15,000 patients, women report more irritation and vulva pain during the summer months. The cause of this is exposure to chlorinated water, which can strip away the vulva’s natural lubrication and leave the tissues vulnerable to inflammation.

If you must swim in a pool, change your swimsuit immediately afterward and place a few drops of our Down There Oil on the vulva tissues to protect them “her” from further irritation and inflammation. With these simple steps, you can help keep your vulva healthy and happy all summer long! Also, please avoid chlorinated toilet paper!

5- Wash After Sex:  It is important to note that body fluids and particles from condoms and certain spermicides can cause vulva irritation. After any sexual encounter, it’s essential to wash the outside of your vulva with water and dry it thoroughly and gently. This helps prevent infection by removing any foreign particles that may have been introduced during sex. You should also urinate as soon as possible after sex. This helps flush out any bacteria or debris that may have been introduced into your vagina that can cause a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection (UTI).

If you don’t have access to a bath or shower, wiping it down with a wet washcloth can also be effective. Just be sure to dry thoroughly afterward. Taking these simple steps can help keep your vagina healthy and free of infection. For UTIs and to keep your bladder healthy and strong, I recommend trying my Total Fem Ultimate Bladder Health supplement.

6- Avoid Wheat and Gluten Foods: Wheat and gluten-free diets can be beneficial for women with pain in their vaginas, as it has been shown to help reduce irritation caused by infection. This is because these foods irritate the lining of your reproductive tract and vaginal lining, which then causes inflammation. Wheat/Gluten allergy symptoms include runny nose or itching skin plus hives; they’re signs that you’ve been overexposed to wheat/gluten.

Some women don’t realize how sensitive they are to wheat and gluten, so I recommend you track your vaginal symptoms after you eat. You will be surprised by what you will discover, and then do an elimination diet until you feel better “Down There.”

7- Avoid Over-the-Counter Anti-Fungal and Yeast Creams: I cannot tell you how many women I’ve treated overuse these over-the-counter creams and simply dehydrate and inflamed their tissues. If you think you have an infection, please get it checked out and CONFIRM a positive result before using an antibiotic or anti-fungal. 

Here’s What I Recommend Next for Happier Lady Parts:

Besides doing the 7 things I recommended above, I would also like to recommend you heal your external vulva tissues with my DownThere Oil, and here’s why… 
 

The Down There Oil, with its moisturizing properties and its ability to keep bacteria and fungi at bay — coupled with its delicate scent, make it the perfect ingredient to keep your sensitive vulva skin looking and feeling its best. 
 

I’ve used this oil blend myself for years to keep yeast infections at bay. I also adore its moisturizing and skin regenerative properties. It helps keep the delicate vulva revived and lubricated as nothing else can.
 

My Down There Oil Vaginal Serum is created in a certified lab and is the ultimate in vulva care. It’s always available — right now for our Women’s Intimacy Month Flash sale. Use code DTO10 for an extra 10% off, while supplies last.  

Take self-care into your own hands, connecting emotionally and nourishing your secret self… and enjoy the powerful benefits of my signature Down There Oil formula!

References

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wheat-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20378897

2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003159.htm

3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000897.htm

4. https://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/561934

About ISA HERRERA, MSPT, CSCS

Isa Herrera, MSPT, CSCS is a New York City-based holistic women’s pelvic floor specialist and author of 5 books on pelvic health, including the international best seller Female Pelvic Alchemy and the ground-breaking grassroots pelvic floor self-help book Ending Female Pain, A Woman’s Manual, which has sold over 30,000 copies. She has dedicated her career to advancing awareness of pelvic floor conditions so that more people can find relief from this silent epidemic that affects over 30 million people in the US alone. Ms. Herrera holds a BA in Psychology and Biology from Fordham University and also a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Hunter College, where she was also an adjunct professor for several years. Click here for a complete bio.

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