Vaginal Burning and Menopause: What’s Happening and How to Manage It
Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, brings a wide range of physical and emotional changes for women. Some symptoms, such as hot flashes, are common knowledge, while many others are not talked about or not as much is known. One of the lesser talked about symptoms of perimenopause and menopause is vaginal burning.
Although vaginal burning is a common symptom of menopause and perimenopause, it is rarely discussed openly. As a result, many women may feel confused, uncertain, or embarrassed when they experience it. Symptoms like vaginal itching and burning are normal during this stage of life, and understanding why they occur is essential for finding relief and restoring confidence.
What Vaginal Burning During Perimenopause and Menopause Feels Like
Menopause is different for every woman. The symptoms you experience and the degree to which you experience them can vary drastically from others. Vaginal burning can range in intensity from a slight discomfort to a chronic symptom that affects daily life. If you are unsure if you are experiencing vaginal irritation associated with menopause, here are the signs to look out for:
Physical Symptoms
Vaginal burning can be chronic, or it can happen occasionally, often after exercise or sexual intercourse.
- Dryness
- Irritation
- Burning
Emotional Symptoms
Although vaginal burning is a physical sensation, it is not unusual for it to affect a woman's emotional health. It can:
- Lower self confidence
- Cause embarrassment
- Impact moods
- Affect romantic relationships
- Cause uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration
Causes of Vaginal Burning and Irritation During Menopause
Understanding the causes and triggers of vaginal burning during perimenopause and menopause is the first step in managing it effectively. This knowledge empowers you to take control of your health and make informed decisions about your well-being.
Hormonal Shifts
One of the biggest culprits of menopausal symptoms is a change in hormones. During this time, a woman's estrogen levels decrease. As estrogen levels decrease, several changes can occur, leading to vaginal irritation. These include vaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls), reduced natural lubrication, and shifts in vaginal pH balance.
Lifestyle Factors That Can Worsen Vaginal Burning
Although hormones are a big culprit of vaginal burning during perimenopause and menopause, lifestyle and daily habits can contribute to and exacerbate the problem. Some lifestyle choices that affect vaginal irritation are:
- Fabric cleaners and softeners
- Scented products
- Synthetic clothing fabrics
- Stress
- Diet, especifically foods that cause spikes in sugar levels
- Certain medications, including birth control
Sexual Intercourse
When undergoing a drop in estrogen and vaginal atrophy, sexual intercourse may lead to vaginal burning due to increased friction and reduced lubrication.
Strategies to Soothe and Support Vaginal Health During Menopause
Although you can't stop menopause from happening, there are things you can do to lessen or prevent uncomfortable symptoms like vaginal irritation.
Daily Intimate Care Routine
There are a few things you can add or change about your daily routine to help aid your vaginal health.
- Choose gentle cleansers, such as SHEbar, formulated for sensitive skin and designed to support pH balance while hydrating delicate tissue.
- Drink at least half your body weight in ounces to ensure you are hydrated.
- Incorporate a few minutes of pelvic floor exercises, like Kegels, into your daily routine to strengthen these muscles and support vaginal health.
Hydrating and Soothing Options
One of the best ways to combat vaginal dryness and burning is by keeping everything soothed and hydrated. There are several products on the market that can help, but we recommend revitalizHER serum, which helps promote hydration and supports the skin barrier to reduce sensitivity and discomfort.
Enhancing Comfort During Intimacy
A healthy sex life is essential in all of life's eras, and menopause is not an exception. Although vaginal burning can intensify after sex, there are ways to prevent the pain and enhance the pleasure.
One of the best ways is to stay moisturized and lubricated with an intimacy gel that will reduce friction and soothe sensitive tissue. You can't go wrong with LET'S SPIN Intimacy Gel. This innovative gel contains hyaluronic acid and aloe, which provide long-lasting moisture, comfort, and pH-balanced care for delicate tissue.
Lifestyle Adjustments to Improve Vaginal Health
Your lifestyle and daily habits play a massive role in all aspects of your health, including vaginal and reproductive health. Knowing is the key to success, and understanding how your choices affect your body can make a huge difference in preventing or reducing vaginal burning in menopause. If you are looking for natural remedies for vaginal burning, we have a few things to try.
Avoid Irritants
As you age, your vagina and surrounding tissues become more sensitive. To avoid unnecessary irritation, skip products with fragrances, harsh soaps, and products that strip your body of necessary oils.
Breathable Clothing
Trapped moisture can lead to infections and altered pH levels. To avoid this, wear breathable fabrics and avoid tight clothing.
Stay Hydrated
Taking in enough water improves all bodily functions, including vaginal lubrication. Doctors recommend people drink at least half their body weight in ounces daily.
Have More Sex
Regular sexual activity can be a fun way to help increase blood flow, which supports vaginal moisture.
Supporting Hormone Balance
Supporting hormone balance is crucial for managing menopausal symptoms effectively. Focus on a diet rich in whole foods, minimize processed foods and artificial sugars, and prioritize stress management and regular exercise.
Finding the Right Solutions for You
Every woman's journey is different. There is no one-size-fits-all guide to navigating menopause. Being gentle with yourself and your body during this time while you try different solutions will lead to the greatest comfort and happiness.
JoyLux was founded to help women transition through menopause with ease. Our range of products was developed to enhance your daily life as well as your sex life. Some of the best products for vaginal burning are:
- revitalizHER serum: Promotes hydration and supports the skin barrier for improved comfort.
- SHEbar: Gentle, pH-balanced cleanser designed for sensitive intimate skin.
- LET'S SPIN Intimacy Gel: Formulated to enhance intimate moments with moisture-rich ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe.
Embracing Life's Transitions
Every era of life is beautiful. Although perimenopause and menopause come with some undesirable side effects, by embracing change and practicing self-care, you can continue to live all aspects of your life to the fullest, including sexual intimacy.
If you are going through perimenopause or menopause and are experiencing vaginal burning, you are not alone. Our team understands what you're going through because many of us have navigated these changes ourselves. There is no need to feel anxious or ashamed. Talking about your symptoms openly can help you—and other women like you—to learn about strategies and products that can help.
