Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness
What causes vaginal dryness
Normally, the walls of the vagina stay lubricated with a thin layer of clear fluid. The hormone estrogen helps maintain that fluid and keeps the lining of the vagina healthy, thick, and elastic. During menopause, the drop in estrogen levels reduces the amount of moisture available. It also makes the vagina thinner and less elastic. This is called vaginal atrophy.
- Childbirth and breastfeeding
- Radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- Surgical removal of the ovaries
- Anti-estrogen medications used to treat uterine fibroids or endometriosis
Natural Treatments for Vaginal Dryness
PMCID: PMC4085389
Improvements of Vaginal Atrophy without Systemic Side Effects after Topical Application of Pueraria mirifica, a Phytoestrogen-rich Herb, in Postmenopausal Cynomolgus Macaques
Abstract
The estrogenic efficacy of topical vaginal application of Pueraria mirifica extract on the restoration of vaginal atrophy, and the presence of any systemic side effects, were investigated in postmenopausal cynomolgus macaques. Twelve postmenopausal cynomolgus macaques, with complete cessation of menstruation for at least 5 years before start of this experiment, were divided into three groups. They received a topical vaginal application daily of 0.1 or 1% (w/w) Pueraria mirifica cream or a conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) cream (a mixture of estrone, equilin, 17β-dihydroequilin, 17α-estradiol and 17α-dihydroequilin at 0.625 mg total estrogen/g cream) for 28 days. Estrogenic efficacy was assessed weekly by vaginal cytology assay and vaginal pH measurement, whilst the plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex skin coloration levels were determined at the end of each treatment period to evaluate the systemic side effects. Pueraria mirifica significantly increased the proportion of superficial cells in a dose-dependent manner, with a similar efficacy between 1% (w/w) PM and CEE. Together with increased vaginal maturation, Pueraria mirifica decreased the vaginal pH to acidic levels, as observed in the CEE group. Pueraria mirifica induced no detected systemic side effects, whilst CEE decreased the plasma LH level and increased the reddish color of the sex skin during the post treatment period. Topical vaginal treatment with PM stimulated the maturation of the vaginal epithelium without causing systemic side effects in postmenopausal monkeys. The implication is that Pueraria mirifica could be a safer alternative to treat vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.
Keywords: Menopause, Phytoestrogens, Sex skin color, Vaginal dryness
Pueraria mirifica herb is rich in phytoestrogens to supplement estrogen loss and Venus with its phytoestrogenic effects and substances essential to female genital system are proved a perfect alternative for vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy treatment.