Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KMK
Poosh
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • Newsletter
  • Keep in touch
    instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube
  • search
  • Shop
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • soul
Kourt’s Tongue Therapy Routine
Kourt’s Tongue Therapy Routine
Morning vs. Night Stretching: What to Do and When 
Morning vs. Night Stretching: What to Do and When 
What Type of Ex Are You?
What Type of Ex Are You?
Dating with Anxiety: What It Truly Feels Like
Dating with Anxiety: What It Truly Feels Like
New Ab Workouts to Achieve a Strong Core
New Ab Workouts to Achieve a Strong Core
Are You a Sleep-Sabotager?
Are You a Sleep-Sabotager?
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
Apps to Streamline Your Life 
Apps to Streamline Your Life 
The Minimalist (and Clean) Body Care Brand to Add to Your Rotation
The Minimalist (and Clean) Body Care Brand to Add to Your Rotation
Under $50 Poosh-Approved Products
Under $50 Poosh-Approved Products
The Anti-Aging Way to Apply Eye Cream
The Anti-Aging Way to Apply Eye Cream
The Best Herbs to Combat Acne
The Best Herbs to Combat Acne
Meet the Woman Behind Kourt’s Favorite Exfoliating Mittens
Meet the Woman Behind Kourt’s Favorite Exfoliating Mittens
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Essentials for an At-Home Pizza Night
Essentials for an At-Home Pizza Night
Kourt’s New Lunch Menu
Kourt’s New Lunch Menu
How I Decluttered My Closet to Downsize
How I Decluttered My Closet to Downsize
2 Ways to Do Vegan Tuna Lettuce Wraps
2 Ways to Do Vegan Tuna Lettuce Wraps
Kourt’s Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Kourt’s Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Under $100 Decor Items to Brighten Your Space
Under $100 Decor Items to Brighten Your Space
  • family
  • kourtney
The Makeup Tips Kourt Recently Learned from Kylie
The Makeup Tips Kourt Recently Learned from Kylie
Ways Kourt Has Made the Most of Her Time at Home
Ways Kourt Has Made the Most of Her Time at Home
*Exclusive* Sneak Peek at the Kardashian/Jenners’ Gift Wrapping
*Exclusive* Sneak Peek at the Kardashian/Jenners’ Gift Wrapping
The Devotional Book Kourt Reads Every Morning
The Devotional Book Kourt Reads Every Morning
Kourt’s Makeup Artist on How to Apply the Perfect Lashes
Kourt’s Makeup Artist on How to Apply the Perfect Lashes
Kourt’s Cute $7 Reusable Daily Vitamin Bags
Kourt’s Cute $7 Reusable Daily Vitamin Bags
What are you looking for?

Search in:

  • Shop
  • Open/Close Button HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • soul
  • Open/Close Button HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • Open/Close Button KMK
    • family
    • kourtney
  • Open/Close Button LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Poosh Your Wellness
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube
health

Are You Suffering From VAGINAL DRYNESS?

By Courtney Virden
pinterest facebook twitter email
@effyturner

As a pelvic floor trainer, I’m used to women talking openly with me about vaginal health, and I often hear things like, “This is so embarrassing, I haven’t told anyone else.” Ladies, you should never be embarrassed to talk about any issues you’re having, and once you open up you’ll realize how many other women are experiencing the exact same thing. If we open up the conversation about our vaginal wellness, we’ll all learn options for reducing or eliminating issues and symptoms. One of the many issues I hear about often is vaginal dryness. It impacts one in five women; during and after menopause that number skyrockets to half of all women. It’s a good idea to know what causes this issue, what the symptoms are, and what you can do about it, in case you suddenly find yourself dryer than the Sahara.

What symptoms will I notice?

One common symptom of vaginal dryness is painful intercourse, which can also stem from other issues, including pelvic floor problems. If the cause is vaginal dryness, using lube will usually alleviate this pain. Oftentimes women who experience painful intercourse end up trying to avoid sex, which can have a negative impact on their relationship. Some women with vaginal dryness experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are frequent or will not go away. Others experience itching, burning, discomfort in the vagina, chaffing or tearing of the inner labia, and light bleeding after intercourse.

What causes it?

The most common cause is a drop in estrogen levels, but there are many other reasons why you might be experiencing vaginal dryness. Estrogen is the main female sex hormone, produced primarily in the ovaries, and it helps regulate moisture in the vagina and keep tissues healthy and elastic. Estrogen levels drop during pregnancy and breastfeeding, from cancer treatments or ovary removal, with certain immune disorders, and during and after menopause. When not warned by a doctor, many new moms are shocked to encounter vaginal dryness.

Birth control pills may also cause vaginal dryness by throwing off a woman’s estrogen/progestin balance. Certain medications can also leave you dry, including some antihistamines (they decrease mucus production in cells throughout the body, including the vagina), antidepressants, and asthma medications. If you think your vaginal dryness might be from your medication, talk to your doctor and look for an alternative (but don’t stop taking it or switch on your own). Douching, dehydration, irritants (such as soaps, perfumes, and hygiene products), and insufficient arousal can also cause vaginal dryness for some women. Interestingly, low libido and other sexual problems can lead to vaginal dryness; conversely, vaginal dryness can lead to low libido. Even stress and anxiety affect our sexual desire and may lead to vaginal dryness. Most of the moms I work with are chronically stressed, and if you’re a mom you know that while it’s the most rewarding job in the world, it can also be stressful. Taking care of yourself and reducing stress with proven methods such as exercise, meditation, or prayer is essential for your mental and physical well-being.

What you can do:

For pain-free intercourse with vaginal dryness, most women need the help of a lubricant. A personal lubricant is designed to be used for sexual activities to make them more pleasurable. There are so many on the market, but it’s important to note that if you use condoms you should avoid any lubricant that contains oil, which can break the condom. In addition to lubrication for intercourse, some women notice an improvement after moisturizing their vagina a few times a week. Vaginal moisturizers are designed to be applied just as a lotion or cream elsewhere on the body would be. If you constantly feel dry, you might try a moisturizer in addition to lube. When using any beauty or hygiene product on or in my body, I prefer non-toxic options. There are tons to choose from, but here’s a list of my favorites:

• Coconut oil
• Good Clean Love lubricant
• Sustain lubricant
• Aloe Cadabra lubricant
• Vmagic moisturizer
• Julva moisturizer

Courtney Virden has been a fitness trainer for nearly 20 years and specializes in women’s health and wellness. Being a mom of two and experiencing many issues from her own pregnancies led her to focus on women’s pelvic floors. With her passion for helping others, Courtney created an online program to share the tools and resources she uses with her private clients.

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

You may also like...

Foods That Help Burn the Maximum Amount of Calories
health
Foods That Help Burn the Maximum Amount of Calories
How to Help Heal This Common Postpartum Condition
body
How to Help Heal This Common Postpartum Condition

Related Articles

Looking to Cut Back on Cheese? Try These Alternatives
recipes
Looking to Cut Back on Cheese? Try These Alternatives
What’s in Kourt’s Medicine Cabinet
kourtney
What’s in Kourt’s Medicine Cabinet
The Top Snacks with Natural Sugar
health
The Top Snacks with Natural Sugar
The Sneaky Chemicals in Your Sparkling Water
health
The Sneaky Chemicals in Your Sparkling Water
Your Guide to a Plant-Based Diet
health
Your Guide to a Plant-Based Diet
Does Dairy Make You Break Out?
beauty
Does Dairy Make You Break Out?
How to Not Mindfuck Yourself
mind
How to Not Mindfuck Yourself
The Best Supplements to Reduce Bloat
health
The Best Supplements to Reduce Bloat

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube
ADA + WCAG 2.2 Compliant Badge
Made By Nice People