What causes vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is generally caused by factors such as aging, excessive cleaning, endocrine disorders, vaginitis, or acute cervicitis. When experiencing physical discomfort, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Aging

As women age, particularly during perimenopause or menopause, ovarian function gradually declines and estrogen levels drop. This may lead to thinning of vaginal tissues, reduced elasticity, decreased secretions, and consequently cause vaginal dryness. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and moderate exercise, is recommended.

2. Excessive Cleaning

Some women excessively clean the vagina using too many cleansing solutions or detergents, which can easily disrupt the balance of beneficial bacteria in the vagina and impair its natural self-cleaning ability, potentially leading to vaginal dryness. It is advisable to avoid over-cleaning; washing the external genital area with plain water is sufficient. Maintaining good daily habits and a positive mental state is also important.

3. Endocrine Disorders

Endocrine imbalances caused by stress, poor sleep quality, or emotional fluctuations may reduce estrogen levels, resulting in vaginal dryness. Symptoms may also include menstrual irregularities and mood swings. Under a doctor's guidance, patients may use medications such as drospirenone ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol cyproterone acetate tablets, or nilestriol tablets for treatment.

4. Vaginitis

Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi can lead to vaginitis. Inflammation may result in congestion and swelling of the vaginal mucosa, and in severe cases, ulceration, causing vaginal dryness. Other symptoms may include increased discharge and pain. Patients should follow medical advice and use medications such as metronidazole tablets, tinidazole suppositories, or compound metronidazole suppositories for treatment.

5. Acute Cervicitis

Acute cervicitis caused by bacterial or viral infections may lead to congestion and swelling of cervical tissue, reduced secretions, and thus cause vaginal dryness. Common accompanying symptoms include cervical pain and abnormal discharge. Patients may take medications such as acetaminophen tablets, ibuprofen tablets, or indomethacin tablets as directed by a physician.

To prevent vaginal dryness, it is important to avoid excessive cleaning, maintain a balanced diet, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and a positive mindset, and reduce life stress.