Mentioning Unmentionables

I couldn't help but revisit an informational folder I have been collecting over the years on the topic of vaginal pain syndromes and vaginal dryness...which BTW is a fairly common problem for aging women.  No kidding!  Today, I'm mentioning something that is often unmentioned. One of the things I love the most about what I do everyday is that I get to be the spokesperson for the problems that women rarely speak of openly.   Thankfully they don't mind sharing with me in consultations as I go down my checklist of signs and symptoms attached to hormones and aging.  And also, it saddens me to hear the words, "well I figured I was just getting older and had to deal with this!"  That's not acceptable for me to hear, or for an aging woman to think.  Let me bring some attention to an area of hormonal imbalance that is quite common and relatively easy to fix.  Vaginal dryness might be interrupting your life and it doesn't have to.

During the reproductive years, three estrogens of importance are Estradiol, Estrone, and Estriol. About five years before actual menopause, the production of Estradiol begins to decline, and after menopause the production ceases almost completely. Consequently, estrone and estriol become the main circulating estrogens. This decrease and shift of estrogens commonly brings noticeable changes such as hot flashes, atrophy (thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen), and an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.  That's the normal process of aging, but it's not a normal process to  'just live with'.  What woman wants to walk around feeling like their skin and body parts are turning into sandpaper?  What woman wants to have this and poor bone and heart health as well?  A patient often expresses that she feels she is drying up from the inside-out....but it doesn't have to be that way.

Studies have indicated that 50% of otherwise healthy women over 60 years have symptoms of urogenital atrophy. That's 1 in 2 and thus why I call it common. The symptoms are vaginal dryness, pain, itching, urination complaints, recurrent vaginal infections and urinary tract infections. It often hurts for these women to have sexual intercourse which often results in not engaging with their partner at all for fear of the painful after-effects of sex. I've helped address this one issue in countless relationships throughout the years of serving in this professional niche. I even covered this topic in my book in the chapter titled "Like a Prune".  Vaginal dryness bears mentioning because there is hope and help for those who suffer from this!!! The answer is often estrogen replacement therapy and we have tons of patients that get a common  formulation to help with this problem. In fact, the OB/GYN's that we collaborate with will order a unique formulation for their patients needing some help in this area of hormonal imbalance.   The blend provides healthy estrogen that the tissue needs to obtain moisture and healing. Vaginal atrophy is very treatable with testing and identification of this as the root cause. I have no idea why women put this off because it's very affordable, the custom medicine can be applied just a few times a week, and the benefits are tremendous for those that need this.

Lichen Sclerosis (LS) is another Uro-zone problem that can be associated with hormone deficiency. LS is a benign and progressive skin disease that creates patchy, white skin usually around the genital area. It can affect both men and women at any age, but usually is found in menopause aged females. Some medical articles suggest that androgen deficiency (testosterone) is a culprit and that testosterone replacement therapies applied to the affected area can help promote healthy skin and healing of the wounds associated with this condition. A soothing base can be used to promote good saturation of the therapy into the diseased tissue which gives great relief to those who suffer from this.

Sometimes with vaginal area pain there can be a neuropathic process causing pain sensitivity affecting activities of daily living. Working with a physician to determine if the issue is related to muscle constriction of the pelvic floor, involvement of the hormonal system, genetic and disease factors, or sexually transmitted diseases is important in determining a plan of action for creative medicine interventions. Very effective creams, suppositories, and sprays can be customized and formulated to control multiple issues contributing to the pain and on a per individual basis.

I think it's so important for women and men to know that there are options in treating these conditions. And believe me, throughout the years, I have responded to these needs many, many times. We can cover a lot of territory  in the creative medicines that we provide for these and other things. Simply talking with your personal healthcare provider is the first step in getting help. Feel free to connect with me or have your doctor contact me about your concerns and failed attempts at healing through other medicines and means. We are here to help in finding your answer through the means of creative medicines.

To your good health,
Dr. Sonja