I STRUGGLE WITH VAGINAL DRYNESS. CAN YOU HELP?
Certain milestones in a woman’s life can lead to noticeable changes in vaginal health and comfort. These include childbirth and menopause, but are a host of other causes is discussed less often.
One thing is certain. The discomfort — both physical and relational — that persistent vaginal dryness causes is something you don’t have to live with; it doesn’t have to be your new normal.
As a seasoned OB/GYN, Dr. Pamela Kimbrough has expertise in helping women experiencing a range of health conditions, but vaginal dryness, or atrophy, is one that most women will encounter at some point during their lives. Fortunately, Dr. Kimbrough and her caring team at Life’s Cycle approach your treatment with an ideal balance of clinical knowledge and warmth.
PROBLEMS THAT STEM FROM VAGINAL DRYNESS
Vaginal dryness causes unpleasant symptoms that can also impact your relationship with your partner:
Pain
Burning
Vaginal itching
Pain during sex
Light bleeding after sex
Mild urinary incontinence
In addition to these problematic symptoms, vaginal dryness is also associated with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Along with these diverse issues, vaginal atrophy can wreak havoc on your sex life and your everyday social life, because you’re worried about having a leak.
MANY CAUSES OF VAGINAL ATROPHY
Low estrogen is the main culprit for women who suffer with vaginal dryness, so a primary time a woman may notice this condition is during and after menopause. Some of the other known causes of vaginal dryness might surprise you:
Depression
Smoking
High stress
Cancer treatment, like chemotherapy and radiation on the pelvis
Some medications
Oral contraceptives
Oophorectomy (surgical removal of the ovaries)
Certain autoimmune disorders
Childbirth
Another unexpected root of vaginal dryness is diabetes. In fact, the chances of a woman with diabetes experiencing vaginal dryness are double that of a woman without the condition. The fact that women can suffer with dryness whether they are menopausal or not means many more women are suffering than we assumed.
CAN I SUCCESSFULLY BE TREATED FOR VAGINAL ATROPHY?
Fortunately, Dr. Kimbrough offers multiple treatments for women plagued by vaginal atrophy. Proper treatment can restore the suppleness and vitality of your delicate vaginal tissue:
1. VIVEVEⓇ
This innovative, non-invasive treatment addresses your tissue directly. During a brief, 30-40-minute treatment, Dr. Kimbrough carefully treats your vaginal tissues by applying radiofrequency (RF) energy to them using a small, handheld device.
Viveve stimulates the production of collagen, a critical protein produced by your body. The treatment strengthens your tissues, and they become flexible and lubricated again. Our patients tell us that they can feel a difference after the first treatment.
2. SOTTOPELLEⓇ HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
These plant-based hormone replacement therapy pellets are natural bioidentical hormones, so they’re compatible with your body.
During the procedure, Dr. Kimbrough gently places the pellet in a spot under your skin during an in-office visit, and over the course of several months, the pellet releases its hormones to balance yours.
3. LIFESTYLE FACTORS
If your dryness stems from another cause that we mentioned, Dr. Kimbrough can counsel you on lifestyle-related practices to right your hormones. These include stress-management strategies, getting treated for depression, and keeping your diabetes in check.
When you visit our office, Dr. Kimbrough gets family and personal medical histories from you, talks at length with you about your symptoms, then creates a customized treatment plan to bring you relief.
You don’t have to suffer any longer with vaginal atrophy. Book a consultation with Dr. Kimbrough at either our Ardmore or Norman office, or book one online.
