As each year goes by and we get a little older, we know that our bodies will begin to change. But did you know that one of those changes includes changes to the vagina? Yes, the vagina is not immune from aging. As women enter menopause they may notice symptoms such as a change in sleeping habits, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. But changes to the vagina go beyond vaginal dryness. As estrogen levels fall, the vagina itself goes through a set of obvious and (not-so-obvious) changes. This include the following:
Less pubic hair
Estrogen plays a role in controlling the growth of pubic hair. As menopause occurs there is a reduction in the amount of estrogen that is available in our system. This slows down hair growth. It means that women may notice less pubic hair or thinner pubic hair as they age.
Gray hairs
As gray hairs begin to appear on our head, so too do they appear in our pubic area. As we age, pigment cells inside each hair follicle stop producing the chemical melanin. This pigment gives our hair its color and as melanin production slows, your pubic hair turns gray or white.
Vagina dryness
As mentioned above, vaginal dryness is probably one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Vaginal dryness is any dryness within the vaginal area that may lead to itching, discomfort or painful intercourse. To help combat vaginal dryness, doctors may recommend vaginal creams and lubricants that can be used to help ease the worst of the symptoms. This is especially true if painful sex has become a problem.
Pelvic floor muscles become weaker
The pelvic floor is a term used to describe a group of muscles and tissues that work together to support the bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. Pelvic floor muscles support these organs by wrapping around the pelvic bone to help provide stability. Pelvic floor disorders occur when the “sling” or “hammock” that supports the organs becomes weak or damaged.
As women age, pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic disorders become more common.
If you experience symptoms like urinary incontinence or a vaginal prolapse then make an appointment to see your doctor.
The vagina can shrink in size
This is not a well-known fact but reduced estrogen levels can make your vagina less elastic and stretchy. Vaginal tissues get less plump and start to thin. This in turn can make the vagina shorter and narrower.
But it’s not all bad news here. Regular intercourse and maintaining a healthy sex life can help keep the vaginal tissues more elastic.
Increase of UTI’s
The loss of estrogen can also impact your vaginal environment. This means leaving more bad bacteria than good ones. In turn, this can lead to a larger number of UTI’s developing.
As with all aspects of aging, take a pro-active approach to keeping yourself healthy. When it comes to menopause and the vagina, remember to attend your yearly well-women exams, continue to practice good vaginal hygiene and don’t wait to see your doctor if any new or changing symptoms occur. Whether those are general symptoms of menopause or more specific to the vaginal area. Anything that is affecting your quality of life should be discussed with your doctor.
