Mood swings, brain fog, anxiety, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness…women are openly talking about most challenges of the menopause nowadays, but not all.
Vaginal dryness is one common symptom that few feel they can mention to even their best friend.
Yet one in two women* will suffer from it during their menopause, that critical time in mid-life when hormone levels drop and fertility is eventually lost.
And it’s not pleasant. Vaginal dryness can cause an itching or burning sensation, soreness or discomfort in the genitals even while doing normal things like sitting or walking.
Exercise can cause irritation too, stopping many from going to the gym or for a run. Meanwhile intercourse is often off the agenda because it’s simply too painful, especially as post-sex bleeding can occur too.
Vaginal dryness can cause other issues as well such as an unusual discharge, a frequent and/or urgent need to pee, recurring UTIs and pain when urinating.
No wonder many women’s self-confidence plummets when they’re suffering as does quality of life.
The oestrogen effect
So what causes vaginal dryness? Women can develop symptoms at any time in life – especially when breastfeeding or taking oral contraceptives.
It can also be triggered by various factors such as childbirth or stress, conditions such as endometriosis and treatments for breast cancer.
But it’s most common in menopause and perimenopause, the transitional stage before the menopause, usually affecting those in their 40s or early 50s.
That’s because it’s a time when oestrogen levels drop and one of that hormone’s key roles is to keep the lining of the vagina moist and healthy.
Without enough oestrogen, the tissue lining of the vagina thins and becomes drier, which also makes it more sensitive.
It can occur at any time, even years after the menopause. And it usually doesn’t improve by itself as hormone levels remain low – in fact, it can even get worse over time.
And while HRT (hormone replacement therapy) is effective for many menopausal symptoms, it can take up to three months to alleviate vaginal dryness, and for some women, symptoms may even persist with treatment.
But don’t worry, there IS something you can do about it, thanks to Replens Long Lasting Vaginal Moisturiser.
It’s not just you!
When she first entered the perimenopause, Charlotte found herself talking about the problems it caused quite openly with her friends.
“We would happily share about feeling low in mood, having hot flushes,” says the 52-year-old. “But when HRT cleared up a lot of my symptoms but not the vaginal dryness, I didn’t talk to them about it.
“It was horrible – like something was obstructing me. Even on a long walk, I wouldn’t feel comfortable.”
Kirsty, 58, was also concentrating on other symptoms.
“I put a lot of focus on what I could do about my memory and anxiety – I didn’t think about the dryness,” she says. But soon it was a problem.
“Having sex had got quite painful, and when I was on my period it felt like my tampon wasn’t in the right place, probably because it was a dry object chafing me.”
The discomfort continued until they heard about Replens.
“It was so easy to use – like a small tampon – and the relief was pretty much straight away,” says Charlotte. “I suddenly felt normal again.”
Kirsty too. “The thing I love about it is the ease of use and the fact that I feel like my vagina is getting the moisture it needs. It feels like it’s almost going ‘aah, thank you’,” she says.
Now she’s happy to speak about the problem – and thinks we should all be too.
“Talk!” she says. “It might be the only support somebody needs because just having people to talk to, that feeling that it’s only you, you’re going mad. It’s not only you, you’re not going mad.”
Clinically proven relief
Replens is a hormone-free and fragrance-free vaginal moisturiser that can provide immediate and long-lasting relief from symptoms, bridging that gap during the waiting period.
Best of all? Each application gives immediate relief and provides up to three days’ relief from symptoms, meaning you can get on with your busy life.
Its bio-adhesive formula attaches to dry, dehydrated vaginal tissue, and delivers continuous moisture, leaving the area hydrated and feeling rejuvenated.
Replens is easy to use thanks to a tampon-like applicator, and it can be applied at any time of the day or night, although application should be regular.
And, unlike lubrication, there’s no need to apply it just before intercourse, meaning you can be spontaneous once again.
Replens is clinically tested to relieve dryness at the source, and can be used alongside HRT to maintain women’s health and comfort.
Replens Long Lasting Vaginal Moisturiser is available on Amazon, Boots and at all leading chemists or click HERE to shop now.
Tried and Trusted
Replens is tried and trusted by women across the UK to restore their everyday comfort and confidence.
The vaginal moisturiser:
- Is the Number 1 brand recommended by GPs
- Is hormone-free and NICE recommended
- Can be used in patients with breast cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, liver problems, with a history of blood clots or who experience migraines or severe headaches
If you have had enough of suffering in silence, it’s time to change that. Women don’t have to put up with vaginal dryness any more.
Discover how Replens can help you feel comfortable again by clicking HERE.
*Atrophic Vaginitis – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust