What can be done about sexual pain caused by reduced estrogen?

Jan 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Lu

Introduction

In general, the reduction of estrogen may lead to sexual pain due to factors such as vaginal mucosal dryness, decreased vaginal elasticity, vulvovaginal candidiasis, chronic cervicitis, and endometriosis. It is recommended to maintain a regular sexual life, pay attention to foreplay, and keep the vagina moist and elastic. Regular gynecological examinations should be conducted to monitor estrogen levels and uterine health.

Generally, the reduction of estrogen may lead to sexual pain due to reasons such as vaginal mucosal dryness, decreased vaginal elasticity, vulvovaginal candidiasis, chronic cervicitis, endometriosis, and others. Under a physician's guidance, general treatments and medication can be used for treatment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Vaginal Mucosal Dryness

A decrease in estrogen levels causes the vaginal mucosa to become thinner and atrophic, reducing local resistance and causing vaginal dryness, which may lead to pain during sexual intercourse. Women are advised to maintain vaginal moisture in daily life by appropriately using vaginal lubricants and increasing intake of estrogen-rich foods such as soy milk and tofu.

2. Decreased Vaginal Elasticity

Estrogen deficiency also reduces glycogen in vaginal epithelial cells, alters the acidic environment within the vagina, decreases vaginal elasticity, increases friction during intercourse, and causes pain. Maintaining regular sexual activity, paying attention to foreplay, avoiding rough movements, and strengthening pelvic floor muscle exercises can help improve vaginal elasticity and lubrication.

3. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis may be caused by Candida infection. Reduced estrogen levels make the vagina more susceptible to infection, triggering inflammatory responses and causing pain during intercourse. Accompanying symptoms may include vulvar itching and burning pain. Treatment should follow medical advice using medications such as clotrimazole suppositories, miconazole suppositories, and nystatin suppositories.

4. Chronic Cervicitis

Chronic cervicitis may be related to persistent pathogen infection. Reduced cervical mucus secretion leads to vaginal dryness and friction pain during intercourse. Symptoms may include increased vaginal discharge and postcoital bleeding. Medications such as azithromycin tablets, metronidazole tablets, and levofloxacin tablets may be used under a physician's guidance.

5. Endometriosis

Endometriosis may be related to endometrial implantation, immune function, genetic factors, and environmental influences. Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity and muscular layer. Under the influence of estrogen, displaced endometrial tissue undergoes cyclic bleeding, leading to pain during intercourse. Symptoms may also include dysmenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. Treatment options include medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, and indomethacin suppositories, under a physician's guidance.

In daily life, maintaining regular sexual activity, paying attention to foreplay, avoiding rough movements, and keeping the vagina moist and elastic are recommended. Regular gynecological examinations should be conducted to monitor estrogen levels and uterine health, enabling timely detection and management of related issues.

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