How Your Vagina Changes as You Age

Wrinkles, saggy skin, gray hair. These are all signs of aging many women associate with the parts of the body on display for the world, but some forget that the vagina and vulva also experience a lot of changes as the years tick on.

The vagina, which is the canal, and the vulva, which is the surrounding area of the organ, tend to undergo the most significant modifications post menopause. Here are some of the changes women can expect.

• Looser Lips: As the body starts to produce less estrogen, the vulva begins to loosen. The tissue in that area, particularly the labia, becomes less defined. This issue can easily be corrected with labiaplasty.
• Hair Loss: Yes, even the hair down there starts to gray and thin as the years pass by. In addition, leg and underarm hair usually starts to grow in slower and thinner. Still, for many women this might be more of a blessing than a curse! All those years, and dollars, spent on bikini waxes, laser treatments and shaving, may now be a long-gone memory.
• Variations in the Vagina: Loss of estrogen can lead to dryness and irritation in the vagina since the canal starts to shrink, the walls thin and produce less moisture. About 20 to 50 percent of women complain of burning and itching. These issues can obviously decrease a woman’s sexual drive. Moisturizers such as Replens and Luvena, or even something as simple as coconut oil, can help alleviate the dryness.

Although these transformations can cause discomfort and effect sexual drive, the world is filled with tips on how to freeze fat, erase wrinkles and remove spider veins, but rarely hint at what’s going on with the aging vagina. While pap smears are not usually needed for postmenopausal women, it’s important to see an OB-GYN annually for a gynecological exam and to discuss any issues. Contact Dr. Ghozland today at 310-393-9359 to schedule your appointment today.