Home Remedies and Treatments for Dyspareunia in Post-Menopause
Dyspareunia, or painful intercourse due to inadequate lubrication as a result of low estrogen levels, is common in many post-menopausal women. Luckily, there are various treatment options for this medical condition. The treatment choices for dyspareunia in post-menopause depends on the exact cause of this condition, for instance, vulvovaginal atrophy is commonly the underlying cause of dyspareunia. Treating the condition, in this case, will include aiming to reduce symptoms of dryness, irritation, and soreness during sex. Doctors also emphasize improving vulvar hygiene, lifestyle changes, and educational guidance to manage the condition better, sometimes prescribing either topical estrogen applied directly to the vagina and/or prasterone (Intrarosa). Yet, studies show that natural remedies can also reduce dyspareunia in post-menopausal women: 1. Topical lubricants The first line of treatment for dyspareunia in menopause should be local vaginal estrogen application. Non-hormonal moisturizers and lubricants can also be used with doctor approval. These must be done in combination with regular sexual intercourse. But, for many women, such products do not seem to work. This happens because of the ingredients like additives, perfumes, flavors, and bactericides in these lubricants and moisturizers. These ingredients further affect the skin and cause irritation. When this line of therapy does not yield desired results, the doctor might prescribe locally-applied vaginal estrogen.