Menopause DRYNESS relief

Menopause is the permanent end of periods and fertility, that most often takes place to women in their late 40’s or early 50’s, but is also known to occur earlier or later.  The menopausal average age is 51 years old. Just about every woman is different and there is no clear way to predict when an woman will enter menopause. Women in the menopausal stage of their life, experience symptoms with varying degrees of severity.  Also not all perimenopausal (premenopause) and postmenopausal women will have the same symptoms or experience the same levels of severity.  Astroglide personal lubricant is perfect for seniors.

Most women at various stages of their life will experience times when their bodies cannot produce enough natural lubrication and then experience menopausal dryness / vaginal dryness.  These reasons vary from women to women, but could include:

• Pregnancy, child birth , breast feeding , menopause, stress and other life incidents and trauma.
• Excessive exercise.
• Various readily available remedies for runny noses and similar conditions.
• Taking other various preparations.
• Following many types of operations including hysterectomy.
• Using tampons, marina’s and other vaginal inserts.
• Following uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse.
• Using commonly available bath and shower soaps, shampoo, conditioner.
• Some laundry products with dyes, perfumes, fabric softeners, anti-cling properties.

 Menopausal dryness /  vaginal dryness may be accompanied by signs and symptoms such as:

• Itching or stinging around the vaginal opening, vulva and the lower part of the vagina.
• Burning.
• Soreness.
• Chafing.
  
• Pain or light bleeding with sexual intercourse.
• Urinary frequency or urgency.
• Arousal difficulties.
• Sweating, especially at night.
• Hot flushes.
• Fatigue.
• Memory problems.
• Unwanted hair growth.
• Other recurrent  issues .

Life changes are never easy, especially as we get older.  Although menopause symptoms like sleep problems, night sweats, mood swings and weight gain, make it seem like a difficult time in a woman's life, there are many actions you can take to help you through this normal life transition.  See your Healthcare Professional for advice that suits your particular health circumstances.

We often get asked what is the best Astroglide Personal Lubricant for menopause dryness.  The answer is that they are all suitable as they are also vaginal moisturisers, not just Personal Lubricants.    It just comes down to personal preference.   Some women prefer a Gel Lubricant as it stays in place longer than a Liquid Lubricant.  Some prefer Water Based and some prefer Silicone Based, as the latter lasts longest.  We have Gel and Liquid varieties in Water Based and Silicone Based.    Plus we also have a Certified Organic Personal Lubricant.    Astroglide is the only manufacturer with a complete Water Based Gel and Liquid, Silicone Based Gel and Liquid and Certified Organic range for women with vaginal dryness.    That is why we are the number 1 brand globally.  We have a lube selector tool on our US website.    You can buy online from our Australian website, just click here 

Vaginal dryness regardless of the cause is normal and that is were Astroglide water based Personal Lubricants can help - as they are personal lubricants and vaginal moisturisers .  We have an extensive range to choose from, including the popular water based Astroglide Naturally Derived Personal Lubricant, Astroglide Sensitive Skin Ultra Gentle Gel Personal Lubricant as well as other variants. Astroglide Naturally Derived is made wholly with natural derived and organic ingredients.  Free samples are available. As Astroglide Personal Lubricants are personal lubricants and vaginal moisturisers , they are ideal and the best vaginal lubricants for menopause and vaginal dryness. They are never sticky.

Astroglide Personal Menopause Lubricant is designed to mimic natural vaginal secretions, so many women can apply it discretely and their partners would not even know.  Additionally, it can be applied during intimacy as and when required.   All of the  Astroglide range  is pH stable, meaning that it similar to a normal vagina, so as to not alter the balance. 

One of the key benefits of Astroglide Personal Lubricant is that you only need a few drops to achieve lubrication and moisturisation , so the bottle or tube lasts a lot longer.  You can vary the use to suit your own circumstances.

A diet high in soybeans can help alleviate vaginal dryness. Soybeans contains isoflavones, which are plant estrogens that produce effects in a milder form.  Another really good way to maintain vaginal elasticity and lubrication is regular sexual intercourse. Now you can tell your partner it was recommended!  As common as it is, vaginal dryness is not a problem to be ignored and there are many options for treatment.  Find one that works for you and enjoy life.

More information and assistance is available on this respected Australian website

Regular sex

It may come as a complete surprise to you. However, regular sexual activity, whether alone or with a partner, can help manage vaginal dryness.  Use Astroglide to make it easier and enjoyable.

Blood flow to the vaginal tissues increases during arousal, and this helps stimulate moisture production.

Adequate foreplay and arousal before sex can help overcome vaginal dryness and make sex more enjoyable.

Signs You've Started Menopause

Menopause doesn’t happen overnight. The transitionary period before a woman stops having her period all together , called perimenopause, can last for a few months or for as long as four years. If you’re approaching the age when most women go through menopause (usually around 45), you may be wondering how to know when your body has begun the transition. Knowing the signs of menopause will help you take some of the uncertainty out of your own journey and will help you do what’s best for you and your body. Here’s what to look out for:

Hot Flushes

Characterised by sudden and intense feelings of being too hot, hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. While hot flushes can be annoying, most women find that they can manage the symptoms by dressing in layers, sipping ice water, and keeping a few ice packs on hand to help cool things down.

Irregular Periods

A woman is considered to be officially in menopause after going one year without having a period. However, for most women, this process happens gradually over time. One of the most obvious early signs of menopause is experiencing irregular periods. Your fluctuating hormone levels could cause your periods to be significantly lighter or heavier than usual and the timing is likely to be off of your regular cycle.

Vaginal Dryness

This common symptom of menopause can cause vulvar irritation or discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse. The good news is that, for most women, a quality lube is all they need to start feeling like themselves again. We can even send you a free sample so you can see the difference for yourself.

Other Early Signs of Menopause

While the above signs of menopause are some of the most common, there are several other symptoms that women may experience, including:

• Trouble sleeping
• Breast tenderness
• Decreased sex drive
• Urine Leakage and/or increased urgency
• Mood Swings
• Fatigue

The symptoms of menopause can be annoying, but if you talk to your Doctor, you can work out a plan to manage your symptoms.

3 Menopause Myths You Should Stop Believing

Let’s face it: the prospect of going through menopause can be intimidating. For women who have spent their adult lives boldly managing their families and/or careers, the idea of not being in control of their own bodies can be uncomfortable.

Despite the fact that around half the people on this planet will go through menopause, there are still a lot of menopause myths flying around that can make this time of transition even more daunting. We set out to debunk three of the most common menopause myths, so that you can be better prepared without the anxiety that can come with a changing body.

1). Menopause Myth: Most women gain a lot of weight after menopause.

Fact: A recent study conducted by the International Menopause Society showed that although the hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause women to carry more weight in their abdomen, actual weight gain was influenced by non-hormonal factors like diet and exercise. So while you might not be able to control where your fat is distributed, you still have control over whether you gain that weight in the first place. If you’re concerned about weight gain or looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle, talk to you doctor to create a plan that works for you.

2). Menopause Myth: Women lose interest in sex after menopause.

Fact: While it’s true that some women may experience a decreased libido after menopause, many women find their postmenopausal sex life to be more fulfilling than ever. If your desire is normal, but vaginal dryness is holding you back, using a personal lubricant like Astroglide Gel can help sex feel comfortable again. (Want to see if Astroglide will work for you? Request a free sample!)

If you are concerned about your sex drive, talk to your doctor to explore your options and to rule out more serious conditions. No matter what, don’t assume that menopause means the end of your sex life. You deserve to be getting it on well into your golden years.

3). Menopause Myth: Unpleasant symptoms associated with menopause are inevitable.

Fact: Menopause affects every woman differently. While some women do experience the classic symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, mood changes and vaginal dryness, other women move through this transition with little to no unpleasant symptoms. So if menopause is on the horizon for you, don’t assume the worst. Educating yourself and being proactive in addressing your symptoms as they appear is the best way to prepare yourself for this new chapter in your life.

Just because menopause might change your body doesn’t mean that you have to change who you are. If you find yourself feeling different during or after menopause, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor -- there might be some way that they’ll be able to help.

More Menopause Information at Jean Hailes Foundation

Jill Margo  Health Editor

 Australian Financial Review

The age at which women hit menopause may be affected by how frequently they are having sex in the years that lead up to it, according to a large study of multicultural American women.

The study found women who reportedly had sex every week, were 28 per cent less likely to be menopausal than those who had sex less than once a month.

Menopause is defined as a woman’s final menstrual period. For most women, this usually happens between the ages of 45 and 60. In Australia, the average age is 51.

The study’s authors, both anthropologists, looked at the variation in timing of menopause from the perspective of evolutionary biology.

They postulated that when women have little or infrequent sex in the approach to menopause, their bodies do not receive cues of a possible pregnancy.

As a result, their bodies are likely to stop investing energy into ovulation so that it can be diverted elsewhere, such as helping to look after their children or grandchildren.

The idea that women cease fertility in order to invest in kin is known as the Grandmother Hypothesis. It reduces reproductive conflict between generations and allows older women to increase their inclusiveness through investing in grandchildren.

To test their theory of sexual frequency and menopause, the authors examined data from 3000 African American, Caucasian, Chinese American, Hispanic and Japanese American women.

The participants were part of the greater “Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation” which is designed to examine the health of women during their middle years. This part of it has just been published in the journal, Royal Society Open Science.

The authors say it is a costly process for a woman to produce an egg. It’s costly in terms of energy and its impairing effect on the immune system.

As a result, it may not make adaptive sense for the body to invest resources into continued ovulation when there is a paucity of sex.

Conversely, if the woman is still engaging in regular sex, it may be adaptive for her to continue ovulating for slightly longer if the chances of her becoming pregnant are still high.

The authors, Megan Arnot and Ruth Mace are both from University College London. Mace also has a position at Lanzhou University, in Gansu Province, China.

They say while causation cannot be conclusively inferred from the study, their results are an initial demonstration that increased sexual frequency during the pre- and peri-menopause decreases the risk of experiencing menopause.

The two women also tested another hypothesis.

It is often observed that married women have a later age of natural menopause than unmarried women. There is no accepted explanation for this but one existing hypothesis holds that exposure to male pheromones delays menopause.

Pheromones are chemicals released by one animal to induce activity, such as sexual arousal, in another animal.

This theory grew out of the idea that as a result of being married and living closely with a man, a woman’s menstrual periods were likely to be more regular.

The authors were the first to formally test this pheromone hypothesis and they found no evidence for it. They preferred their original theory of adaptive energy.

But there is another potential factor in all this too. As women approach menopause, their oestrogen levels decline and they are more likely to experience vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex.

This might make them less inclined to engage in sex which, if the theory is correct, could accelerate menopause.

 

Having less sex could trigger early menopause, study finds

By Alexandria Hein, Fox News

January 17, 2020 |

Women who have sex at least once per month are less likely to enter early menopause compared to those who have sex less frequently, according to a new study, which followed nearly 3,000 US women for a decade.

The results, which were published in Royal Society Open Science, also dispelled previous findings that being married to a male, or being exposed to male pheromones, influenced the timing of menopause, which the authors say is largely linked to genetics.

“We did not replicate the findings from previous research showing that simply being married is associated with a later ANM (age of natural menopause), most likely owing to the variable cultural and temporal settings of previous studies,” the authors wrote. “However, we did demonstrate that increased sexual frequency during the pre- and peri-menopause decreased the risk of experiencing menopause.”

The authors surmised that the relationship is likely the result of an “adaptive trade-off relative to the likelihood of pregnancy when approaching menopause,” but noted that there is no behavioral intervention that will prevent a woman from inevitably entering menopause.

Speaking to Health.com, the lead study author, Megan Arnot, Ph.D., explained that if a woman is not having sex, there is no likelihood of pregnancy, meaning the body may seek to expend its energy elsewhere.

“It might be that there’s a trade-off between continued ovulation and stopping,” she told Health.com. “So there may be a point in life where it’s better off to stop ovulating and invest your energy elsewhere if you’re not going to have a baby (because you’re not having sex).”

The women involved in the study were on average 45 years old at the start, and had reported frequency and type of sex to researchers. During the 10-year study period, 45 percent of women had experienced a natural menopause at an average age of 52.

Those who reported having sex weekly were found to be 28 percent less likely to experience menopause than women who had sex less than monthly.

“If we interpret these results from a fitness-maximizing framework, it may be the physical cues of sex signal to the body that there is a possibility of becoming pregnant, and therefore an adaptive trade-off may occur between continued energetic investment and reproductive cessation,” the authors noted.

“During ovulation, the woman’s immune function is impaired making the body more susceptible to disease. Hence, if a pregnancy is unlikely owning to a lack of sexual activity, then it would not be beneficial to allocate energy to a costly process, especially if there is the option to invest resources into existing kin.”

 

How Do I Cure Female Dryness?

By: Jacqui Olliver,  End The Problem

Feminine dryness affects women of all ages. Not only does vaginal dryness cause a great deal of pain and discomfort during sex, the resulting effect on a woman’s libido can really damage her relationship. In this article I recommend the best natural cures for female dryness and how to naturally flush the inside of the vagina with my breakthrough Inner Vaginal Flush Technique.

Whether experiencing vaginal dryness due to menopause or as a much younger woman, there is benefit in understanding female dryness and how to become in charge of naturally lubricating her vagina.

Vaginal Dryness and Pain: Why Am I So Tight and Dry?

Many years ago I treated a marriage counsellor in her late thirties who was facing a somewhat unusual dilemma. She was experiencing vaginal dryness and pain and wondered why she was feeling so tight and dry. Sometimes penetration would cause bleeding.

She explained that once her husband had penetrated and she got going she would eventually become moist, loosen up and be able to reach orgasm. However, the pain of penetration was lowering her libido and putting her off sex. 

I had to ask the obvious question: “What size is your partner’s member?”

She admitted he was very large, over 8” long with a thick girth.

Many women would see that coming toward them and start running for the hills! After all, how could something so big fit in such a small hole? 

Because this therapist would automatically tense at the thought of her husband penetrating her, the muscles surrounding her vagina would contract, therefore making her vagina tighter and more difficult to penetrate.

With her whole physiology in “fight or flight” mode, she wasn’t stimulating the necessary hormones or natural lubrication to enable penetration to be easier. 

When a person is mentally or emotionally tense, their body follows suit. This means that sexually, when a person is expecting pain, they will trigger stress hormones instead of sex hormones! This will often exacerbate a vaginal dryness and tightness issue and make sex more uncomfortable.

Vaginal Dryness in Young Women

Vaginal dryness doesn’t just affect peri and post menopausal women. I recently treated a young woman for Vaginismus. This is a condition in which involuntary muscle contraction prevents vaginal penetration. She was only 23 when she found me, her vagina was very tight and dry and penetration from her boyfriend was impossible. 

Andrea (not her real name) had been to many doctors and specialists for treatment. She had received all manner of hormonal therapies and treatments for vaginal dryness and to stop the involuntary contractions, but nothing thus far had worked. She told me I was her last hope.

I treat the "root cause" of sexual problems which is frequently caused by focusing on the wrong action at the wrong time. Treating this cause can naturally provide a cure.

In this instance, we started with an opening and pushing exercise that would give her vaginal pleasure instead of the constriction and pain she was so familiar with. This had the natural effect of lubricating and opening her vagina.

As she started to embrace the fact that she would be able to experience pleasure in that part of her anatomy, she began to relax mentally and feel more receptive to experiencing a new reality during sexual intercourse.

I also taught her how to focus her attention on her partner in a way that would further relax her body. By focusing on tracing the muscles on his back with her hands and feeling into him, she took the focus off penetration.

Whereas previously she had been focused on the expectation of pain which was causing further constriction, she now feels freely able to open herself up to receive her partner’s advances.

By working with her biology instead of against it, she was able to get rid of the vaginal dryness and tightness issue and restore a happy and satisfying sex life.

Feminine Dryness Menopause

There’s nothing quite like hitting your early forties and for the first time experiencing feminine dryness associated with perimenopause. Oh my gosh! The first time it happened to me, I was shocked to my core.

Even if a woman has previously felt naturally lubricated internally prior to entering menopause, her usual choice of external personal lubricant may no longer have the desired effect of lubricating her vagina effectively.

Penetration can feel like the whole inside of the inner vagina is being rubbed raw with sandpaper.

Feminine dryness at menopause can quite literally put a damper on a woman's desire for sex… and will often (pardon the pun) put men...on… pause. Menopause feminine dryness is believed to be caused by a drop in estrogen levels which causes the vaginal tissues to become thinner, drier and less flexible.

Over 50% of women are unlucky enough to experience vaginal dryness at menopause. It generally doesn’t go away due to being a result of changes in the vagina. 

However, a woman can make healthy changes to her vagina. Even after 40.

It’s important for a woman to understand how to naturally restore health, lubrication and vitality to her vagina as she ages. Otherwise vaginal dryness can affect her libido and sex life (and if she’s in a relationship this will likely lead to other relationship strife!)

Vaginal Dryness During Sex

Women who experience vaginal dryness during sex, also tend to experience a mental contamination issue known as a wandering mind. Random thoughts during sex which are unrelated to the sexual act will cancel out the flow of sex hormones which can result in her vagina becoming dry. This unwanted distraction will also prevent her from reaching orgasm.

Thoughts of a partner’s unsatisfactory technique or his own sexual function issue will often play a role here. Focusing on the wrong thing at the wrong time is generally responsible for sexual dysfunction in males and females. This is what I correct in my Sex Mastery programs for both sexes.

It’s important for a person to balance their sexual focus throughout all sexual activity to ensure they keep the sexual programs activated in their brain. This results in the right balance of hormones and muscle programs required to complete a mutually fulfilling sexual act.

What Can I Do for Feminine Dryness?

While correcting dietary intake is essential for maintaining health as a person ages, it’s not the only thing a woman can do to cure feminine dryness. Regardless of a woman's age, there are 4 essential steps to fixing an inner vaginal dryness issue:  

1. Dealing with emotions so her body doesn’t contract in preparation for fight or flight
2. Relaxing her mind, so her body naturally opens and becomes more receptive
3. Using an external personal lubricant to soothe the opening into her vagina
4. Applying the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique to flush the inside walls of her vagina

Each of these steps works to bring her body and mind into balance so she can eliminate vaginal dryness and pain.

How to Create Natural Lubrication

Saliva is very quick to dry, which renders it ineffective as a personal lubricant. While coconut oil (which I explain below) acts as an effective and natural lubrication for the outside of the vagina, it is not sufficient to lubricate the inner walls of the vagina.

I discovered this as a result of my own experience with female dryness. 

With no fast-working and effective vaginal dryness remedies available to deal with the dryness inside the vagina, I felt it was time to figure out an answer to end this feminine dilemma! 

By combining my advanced knowledge in solving male and female sexual function problems with a healthy dose of logic, I soon came up with the best vaginal dryness natural remedy and cure, ever. No more vaginal dryness and pain during penetration and intercourse!

The Inner Vaginal Flush Technique I developed was so effective that it immediately restored enjoyable sex for myself and my partner. Since then, it has become the go-to method to treat vaginal dryness in women of all ages, even in their seventies!

The Inner Vaginal Flush Technique

Similar to the flush mechanism in a toilet, the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique immediately flushes the inner walls of the vagina to provide natural lubrication. No expensive hormonal treatments or vaginal dryness medications required. A woman can flush as often as she likes, with each subsequent “flush” providing further natural lubrication. 

What’s really interesting is that I booked an appointment with a medical professional as soon as I started experiencing female vaginal dryness to check for any medical issues. In the eight weeks leading up to the appointment, I regularly practiced the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique. 

This led to an astonishing result...

Eight weeks later, when peering inside my vagina, the surprised medical professional proclaimed that I had the healthiest looking vagina she had ever seen! She could hardly believe that my vagina was 42 years old, she said it was healthier than most women in their 20’s. 

It just goes to show that with the correct knowledge and technique most sexual dysfunction including inner vaginal dryness and pain can be remedied.

How to Apply the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique

The Inner Vaginal Flush requires a simple pushing down action. To apply the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique, a woman simply pushes down with her vagina as if she is blowing a bubble or expelling a tampon. This provides a flush of natural lubrication which immediately lubricates the inner walls of her vagina to stop vaginal pain.

Just prior to engaging in a sexual act a woman is to:

• Bring her awareness to her vagina
• Push down with her vagina as if she is blowing a bubble (or expelling a tampon)
• Repeat as desired

I recommend one push while she is undressing and two pushes as her partner approaches to penetrate her. Once her partner is inside her, she may initiate one more push to really get her natural lubrication flowing. This Inner Vaginal Flush Technique will also help a woman become more aware of enjoyable sensations during sex.

Note: How to enhance awareness of sensations and orgasm when she wants to is explained step-by-step in my Sex Mastery program for women: Enjoyable Sex and Orgasms.

Best Lubricant for Menopause Dryness

By far the best external lubricant for menopause dryness is Astroglide Naturally Derived personal lubricant or Astroglide Organix organic personal lubricant. Astroglide Organic Oil Coconut Oil personal lubricant is smooth to apply, and has the added benefit of softening the skin around the vagina which reduces irritation. It can also restore moisture, plumpness and elasticity to your skin.

To use lubrication, simply put a very small amount on your finger and trace a line around the outside entrance into the vagina. It’s important not to use too much coconut oil for lubrication because it will make it too slippery for a male partner to penetrate.

Too much oil reduces friction to the point where it can desensitise a man’s experience and cause him to lose his erection hardness.

Remember that a little Astroglide goes a long way and only a few drops are needed.

Natural Lubricant for Menopausal Dryness

Combining the Inner Vaginal Flush Technique with coconut oil is the best natural lubricant to combat dryness after menopause. This way a woman can restore health and vitality to the inside as well as outside of her vagina.

In my opinion, there is no question that this combination is the best personal lubricant after menopause. Along with correctly balancing sexual focus women can now restore a happy and rewarding sex life...

In addition to this, please keep in mind that thoughts and emotions play a pivotal role and can influence a woman’s ability to produce lubrication and become turned on for sex. As she ages, this becomes even more important, as without tuning her attention toward sex she can quite easily switch off her libido.

How Menopause Affects Relationships

It’s important to make sure any relationship issues are dealt with in a timely manner as a couple ages together. This includes inside and outside the bedroom. Menopause can be an exciting time as a woman must no longer deal with those pesky monthly bleeds or concerns about becoming pregnant (for the most part).

But it can also signal a time when she needs to be more vigilant about being in charge of her emotional state and choosing to focus on her partner’s more pleasing attributes. It can be easy to blame her emotions, anxiety and relationship stress on menopause when in fact she’s just not taking responsibility for the effects of her own thoughts and actions.

Every action has a consequence and refraining from engaging in sex will eventually cause an emotional divide between a woman and her partner. This is why it’s so important to apply the above steps which can provide the best natural cures for female dryness… because a woman is equally responsible for promoting and enhancing happiness and health in her relationship.

I'd love for you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. Have you or a partner experienced vaginal dryness or lost interest in sex due to sexual function issues? How has it affected your relationship?

Related:
Is There a Male Menopause?
The Best Sexual Positions for Couples Over 40, 50 and 60

Jacqui Olliver

Psychosexual Relationship Specialist at End the Problem, Jacqui Olliver is a published author who renews relationships by solving people's emotional and sexual issues. In the past 8 years, she has helped over 2,000 men, women, and couples restore a relaxed, happy, and fulfilling sex life and enhance their overall connection. Click here to check out her programs or to book a complimentary strategy session for real answers to solve the real problems.

President Of The Australasian Menopause Society, Dr Karen Magraith, joins Deborah Knight on 2GB Menopaue Podcast.  Click Here   

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