December 5, 2023

Vaginal Dryness – The Non-Hormonal Approach

Vaginal dryness is perhaps the most distressing and least talked about symptom of menopause and post menopause. This silent epidemic that affects about 20 percent of women in those groups, sometimes transiently and other times permanently, can result from the changes that occur when estrogen levels decline causing the vagina and surrounding connective tissue to lose elasticity, and the tissue that lines the vagina becomes thinner and more fragile.  It can not only affect quality of life and make sex uncomfortable but can also cause vaginal irritation, soreness, and itching.

Although there are hormone based creams containing estrogen available, many women choose not to use this option because of the fear of estrogen being absorbed and potentially increasing their breast cancer risk. For women who have had breast cancer, the use of aromatase inhibitors is associated with a significantly greater incidence of vaginal dryness compared with tamoxifen. Increasing use of AIs means that the number of women complaining of vaginal dryness following breast cancer treatment is on the rise.

So what should you do if you’re experiencing vaginal dryness and irritation, but don’t want the risks of systemic estrogen exposure?

Conventional non-hormonal creams can relieve vaginal dryness more rapidly than estrogen creams. But since they contain no estrogens, they won’t stimulate a cellular buildup of vaginal tissue over time. Therefore, for a continuous reduction of vaginal dryness, you’ll need to keep reusing the recommended dosage continuously.

A cream containing Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and Aloe is just the answer many women are seeking.

Hyaluronic acid helps to form an extracellular water film which moisturizes the skin, maintaining a water balance that aids in skin elasticity and facilitates the healing process and tissue regeneration. Vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties, is added to act as an anti-inflammatory and healing agent. Vitamin A increases the function of the immune local cells and the epithelium of the vagina, and Aloe adds to the healing and provides restoration.

A study documented in 2008 shows the use of a vaginal suppository containing 5mg of hyaluronic acid sodium salt, 1 mg of vitamin E acetate and 1mg of vitamin A palmitate, used intravaginally every night for 14 nights, then tapering to every other night for 14 nights relieved or resolved symptoms of burning, itching, dyspareunia, inflammation and irritation at the end of the four week period.

At The Healthy Choice Compounding Pharmacy, we have helped thousands of women find relief from vaginal dryness. For more information on our tried and true non-hormonal treatment option, visit our website at https://www.thehealthychoice.net/non-hormonal-vaginal-cream/or speak to one of our pharmacists.