Vaginal dryness affects almost 20% of women aged over 40, rising to over 30% of women over 50. This can be caused by a number of different factors, namely menopause as well as post-pregnancy recovery and some medications and cancer therapies.

During the winter months our skin can become compromised, including our intimate skin

Vaginal dryness happens to many women during the menopause but only half report it, according to research published in the medical journal Menopause. The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) followed 2,700 women over a 17-year period and discovered 19 per cent of those aged 42 to 53 reported vaginal dryness, rising to 34 per cent of those aged 57 to 69

Vaginal dryness due to menopause is caused by sudden fluctuations in hormone levels. When the female hormone oestrogen drops during the menopause, it can lead to the thinning of the vaginal walls, known as vaginal atrophy. This can cause vaginal skin to damage more easily during sex which can lead to micro tears that can become infected with bacteria causing thrush to take hold in the weakened areas of skin. Vaginal dryness can make sex and urination painful and everyday tasks uncomfortable.

But as winter approaches, even for those who only suffer mild or occasional bouts of vaginal dryness, the problem can get worse during the winter months. Spending a lot of time in centrally heated rooms or offices can zap moisture from the skin and that includes vaginal skin too. In addition, the drier colder air outside can also have a drying effect on all skin including intimate vaginal skin.

Wearing heavier winter tights and trousers can also stifle ventilation to intimate skin, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus.

More exercise is indoors tpp, adding to the sweatier and less airated intimate environment. 

During the winter skin can become drier and chaff or crack more easily. As a results vaginal skin can become more easily damaged from sex, tampon use and exercise cause micro tears which can then quickly lead to infection with bad bacteria.

Protect your intimate parts with In2mate vaginal skin care

In order to combat vaginal dryness in winter, experts recommend avoiding perfumed soaps and body washes. Skin Shop’s In2mate range contains almost 100% natural ingredients to help rejuvenate and repair vaginal skin suffering from dryness and discomfort. 

The key to preserving vaginal skin and keeping it younger and more flexible is antioxidants. In2mate products contain a patented antioxidant, PROTEOLEA® which has been proven to help rejuvenate vaginal skin slowing down age-related oxidised cellular waste degradation by optimising cellular recycling.

 

Increase good vaginal bacteria

Healthy bacterial balance in intimate skin is crucial for maintaining good intimate health. The humid and airless environment of intimate skin especially during winter combined with sexual activity, makes it  an ideal place for the breeding of bad bacteria. 

In2mate skincare products contain a patented prebiotic Biolin ®. Proven to help increase the good flora in the vagina while inhibiting the growth of bad vaginal bacteria, that can lead to bacterial vaginosis, thrush and other bacterial infections. Biolin ® also repairs and strengthens vaginal skin damaged by age-related thinning, chaffing and abrasions.

To combat dryness, In2mate products contain Levan, a natural plant fructose that protects plants against damage from frost and drought by locking in moisture via the formation of a natural microfilm over the plant’s surface. 

Used on the skin it does the same thing. This ingredient is used in the In2mate lubricant to give internal vaginal skin a smoother more slippery feel. 

 

Maintain a healthy vaginal pH

In2mate have struck a healthy balance between the skin around the vagina and the tissue within. 4.5 is the perfect pH ‘balance’ because it’s not too high for the vagina and not too low for the skin. Use non-chemical non-perfumed vaginal products. All In2mate products are vegan and use 99% natural ingredients. They contain no perfumes, parabens and only minimal preservatives, just enough to keep them safe. 

Dr Elena Arias, director of the Graal Clinic in Puerto Banus, Spain and a qualified medical doctor and an international aesthetic doctor who specialises in non-invasive vaginal therapies says:

“As a specialist in non-invasive vaginal therapies I’m experienced in the ageing process of vaginal skin. Women come to me to try and help combat the aging symptoms of vaginal skin, which can cause a degree of pain and discomfort.”

“People mistakenly assume vaginal rejuvenation therapies are only for cosmetic reasons, but in my experience the majority of women are seeking them predominantly to improve vaginal comfort, both during sex and in everyday activities. However, therapies are only one option. A regular nourishing vaginal skincare regime is also crucial for preserving vaginal skin. The majority of intimate skincare products focus predominantly on anti-bacterial or cleansing actions, but a clean vagina is not necessarily a healthy one, in fact many intimate anti-bacterial agents can dry out vaginal skin and remove crucial healthy bacteria that the vagina needs.”

“Antioxidants are crucial for helping to slow down the ageing process of skin and in2mate products are the first intimate skincare products I have come across that contain antioxidants, which is a brilliant addition for products designed for use on the vaginal area.”

 

Combat dryness with your diet

In addition to a vaginal skincare regime, eating more greens per day can also boost circulation and help combat the dryness. Drinking coconut water, which contains lauric acid, can help fight the bacteria that can cause vaginal infections.

The worst thing you can do is to just try and ignore vaginal dryness as it rarely improves on its own. With careful management it can be greatly improved if not avoided altogether making sex more enjoyable and general life more comfortable with less risk of vaginal bacterial or fungal infections.