Facing Vaginal Dryness: My Journey to Relief and Healing
When my doctor diagnosed me with vaginal atrophy, I was taken aback. Hearing it labeled as “moderate” felt alarming—was I on the brink of something severe?
Understanding Vaginal Atrophy
Vaginal atrophy, also known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), is a condition that involves the thinning and drying of the vaginal walls due to decreased estrogen levels. It leads to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal tissues, resulting in symptoms like dryness, itching, burning, and discomfort during intercourse. It’s a common condition, affecting many women during menopause.
The Emotional Toll
The physical discomfort was challenging, but the emotional impact was profound. Intimacy became painful, leading to frustration and a sense of loss. I questioned my femininity and desirability, and these thoughts began to erode my self-esteem and strain my relationship.
Is there hope?
After doing some research, I discovered that vaginal atrophy is treatable through a combination of evidence-based treatments:
- Topical Estrogen Therapy: A localized treatment that helps restore moisture and elasticity by applying estrogen directly to the vaginal area. It’s widely recommended and has been effective for many women.
- Non-Hormonal Lubricants and Moisturizers: Over-the-counter products that provide immediate relief from dryness and can make intercourse more comfortable.
- Regular Sexual Activity: Engaging in sexual activity increases blood flow to the vaginal area, which can help maintain natural lubrication and tissue health.
I knew about some of these options. I am 70, and, during my 60s, I took bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for several years. But like many women a decade ago, I stopped. Even doctors were uncertain about HRT’s long-term safety back then, and the confusion led to many of us abandoning a treatment that was actually helping.
Then life hit hard. I was deep in menopause, my mother passed away, COVID hit, and I moved to a small town where finding a menopause-literate doctor was almost impossible. No one advertises this kind of expertise, so I had to call around and ask the right questions. Eventually, I found a with-it gynecologist who changed everything.
She’s 60, takes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy herself, and plans to take it for the rest of her life. I’m with her.
She prescribed compounded BHRT in cream form, which I now get from a local pharmacy for $60 a month out of pocket since Medicare doesn’t cover it. She also prescribed topical estrogen therapy, which has been instrumental in restoring moisture and elasticity. Like most Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, my insurance covers topical estrogen treatments.
And here’s the bottom line: It’s working for me.
BHRT helps reverse vaginal atrophy.
One reason BHRT has been so effective is that it directly addresses the underlying cause of vaginal atrophy—estrogen loss. Estrogen plays a critical role in maintaining the thickness, elasticity, and natural lubrication of vaginal tissues. When levels drop during menopause, the vaginal walls thin, lose moisture, and become less resilient.
BHRT replenishes estrogen, helping to reverse these changes by restoring the structure and function of vaginal tissue. Research shows that estriol, a form of estrogen commonly used in BHRT, significantly improves vaginal atrophy and reduces symptoms like dryness, irritation, and discomfort. This explains why, after starting BHRT again, I noticed a difference—my symptoms eased, and my confidence returned. Huba, huba 🙂
But I also know HRT isn’t an option for everyone.
I don’t want to give false hope or make it sound like HRT is the universal answer—because it isn’t. Some women can’t take it due to medical conditions like cancer or other health risks. Others are turned away because their doctors aren’t trained in menopause care or are reluctant to prescribe it.
Even for me, it wasn’t as simple as asking and receiving. Before prescribing anything, my doctor did a full evaluation, including an ultrasound of my ovaries to check for any abnormalities. If anything had looked suspicious, she would have put HRT on hold. Thankfully, everything checked out, but that screening process was an important reminder: every woman’s situation is different.
If HRT isn’t in the cards for you, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. There are still ways to manage symptoms, improve vaginal health, and feel better in your body. It might take some trial and error, but you deserve real answers, real support, and real solutions—whatever they may be.
Why Telling Our Stories Matters
Menopause-related conditions like vaginal atrophy are not talked about enough, and many women suffer in silence. The lack of awareness and access to proper treatment is part of a larger systemic failure in menopause healthcare—and that’s exactly what Disrupt Menopause is here to change.
If you’re experiencing similar challenges, you’re not alone. There are effective, science-backed strategies to help you regain comfort and confidence. But we also need to demand better education, access, and support for all women going through menopause—so that no one is left to figure this out alone.
Join us at DisruptMenopause.org to push for change, share your story, and fight for the menopause care we all deserve.