Dryness and itching of the labia - what to do? Advice from a gynecologist.

Causes of dry labia

The appearance of vaginal discomfort is mainly associated with hormonal changes in the body.

Thus, a deficiency of the female sex hormones estrogen leads to a decrease in the production of natural secretions and disruption of the acidity level of the mucous membrane.

Dryness and burning in the intimate area when wearing trousers

The most common situations when a woman faces this problem:

Pregnancy and postpartum period. The period of gestation is characterized by significant changes in hormonal levels, which affects the microflora of the vagina. The appearance of dryness and itching of the labia during pregnancy is fraught with scratching and the formation of abrasions, into which pathogenic microorganisms can enter. This is especially dangerous given the woman's position and the possibility of infection of the fetus. Therefore, if severe dryness of the labia and vagina occurs during pregnancy, you should definitely tell your doctor about these symptoms;
Taking certain medications that reduce estrogen production (antihistamines, oral contraceptives, drugs to lower blood pressure, etc.);
Menopause. Vaginal discomfort during menopause in women is also associated with hormonal changes. Estrogen deficiency leads to changes in the mucous membrane and loss of its elasticity, and local immunity decreases.

Why does vaginal dryness occur?

Causes of vaginal dryness also include:

Use of products unsuitable for daily intimate hygiene (regular shower gels, soap). Washing gels for intimate care, as a rule, have a pH level corresponding to the physiological acid-base level of the genital organs, which allows maintaining the natural balance of the vaginal microflora;
Leukoplakia. This is a disease that is characterized by a change in the upper layer of the epithelium of the cervix (hardening or keratinization) and is accompanied by itching, dryness and burning in the vaginal area;
Frequent douching. This procedure can lead to dysbacteriosis, dryness, redness and peeling of the labia;
Smoking and alcohol abuse. Alcohol and tobacco affect hormone production, which can lead to dryness and irritation of the labia majora and minora.
Surgical interventions;
Stress and depression. Unresolved stressful situations and prolonged depression lead to increased production of the hormone cortisol.

How can you get rid of unpleasant sensations in the intimate area and what should you use to smear your labia when they are dry? To solve this problem, the Intimate Moisturizing Gel GINOCOMFORT is well suited. It was developed by specialists from the pharmaceutical company VERTEX and is used to eliminate vaginal discomfort caused by hormonal changes. This product has undergone clinical studies conducted at the Department of Dermatovenereology with the clinic of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University under the leadership of Ignatovsky A.V. and Sokolovsky E.V. Testing of the product has shown that it has a soft and delicate effect on the mucous membrane, replenishing the lack of natural lubrication. The natural components of the gel help relieve inflammation, have a healing effect and prevent the occurrence of microcracks and abrasions. The product has the necessary documents and quality certificates.

Dryness in the intimate area during menopause

There are quite effective folk remedies for treating this disease - various herbal infusions and baths. But the main thing to remember is that any alarming symptom is a reason to visit a specialist. Only after examination and study of tests is it possible to diagnose the cause and prescribe adequate treatment.

What to do? How to treat?

To get rid of dry lips, it is necessary to eliminate the negative provoking factor:

Drink more fluids. But the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise dryness will be replaced by swelling;
Take the necessary vitamins. Eat fruits and fresh vegetables. It is imperative that you take vitamin complexes in consultation with your doctor and drink them strictly as prescribed. Excessive consumption of vitamins can have a negative effect on the fetus;
Change lipstick, toothpaste, gloss , the use of which provokes allergies;
Moisturize your lips with balms. This can be done using store-bought cosmetic and hygiene products. But such products must be chosen carefully: without dyes. It’s better to make your own moisturizing balms.

Natural balms

"Natural moisturizer." Lubricate your lips twice a day with any of these natural products: butter, carrot juice, sour cream, sea buckthorn oil.
"Rose petals". Mix 2 pinches of fresh rose petals thoroughly with 1 tablespoon of rendered lard. Place the product in a tightly closed container (cream jar). Store in the refrigerator, lubricate lips several times a day;
"Oil and honey." Mix liquid fresh honey in equal proportions with vegetable oil (olive, peach, almond). Warm the product slightly before applying.
"Vitamins" Instead of balm, use liquid vitamins. Take either one capsule of vitamin A, or make a mixture by adding the contents of capsules with vitamins E and C.

Provide special nutrition for your lips. Nutrients, entering the lip tissue, activate cell regeneration processes, the synthesis of elastin and collagen, increase blood circulation and normalize water balance.

Masks

It is useful to make the following homemade masks to nourish your lips:

"Sour cream and lemon." 1 spoon of fat sour cream mixed with a few drops of lemon juice and any essential oil. Apply to lips for 10-15 minutes. If you are allergic to citrus fruits, lemon should be replaced with honey.
"Fruit and butter." Butter (can be ghee) - 1 spoon, and the same amount of fruit puree (banana, kiwi, apricot, apple) are mixed and applied for 15-20 minutes. Puree can be made from cucumber, carrots, strawberries.
"Cottage cheese and medicinal decoction." Prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs in advance by brewing a pinch of the herb in 100 g of hot water and let it brew. Gently dilute 2 tablespoons of fatty cottage cheese with the broth so that you get a mass with a consistency similar to thick sour cream.

Unpleasant sensations in intimate areas, video

Gynecologist Irina Garyaeva about vaginal dryness.
Source - KVD - dermatovenerological dispensary Sources:

THERAPY OF UROGENITAL DISORDERS CAUSED BY ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY. Serov V.N. // Obstetrics, gynecology and reproduction. – 2010. – No. 1. – P. 21-35.
PROBLEMS OF UROGENITAL DYSTROPHY IN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AND PERIMENOPAUSAL AGE. Karahalis L.Yu. // Kuban Scientific Medical Bulletin. – 2007.
Features of urogenital disorders in perimenopause. Balan V. E., Ankirskaya A. S., Muravyova V. V., Tikhomirova E. V. // Materials of the V Russian Forum “Mother and Child”. - 2003. - P. 290.
The overactive bladder. Bulmer P., Abrams P. // Rev Contemp Pharmocother. – 2000. – No. 11. R. 1–11.
Characteristics of hot flashes in women of different age groups. Karahalis L. Yu., Fedorovich O. K. // AG-info. - 2006. - No. 2. - P. 26–31.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-remedies-for-vaginal-dryness-90070
https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-itching
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321615.php
https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-dryness-causes-moisturizing-treatments#1

Preventive lip care during pregnancy

To prevent peeling and dry lips, expectant mothers should carefully monitor their diet and avoid prolonged exposure to heat and cold.
It is important to maintain the humidity level in the living space (at least 60%) and regularly ventilate the room.
Lubricate your lips with balm or hygienic lipstick 1 hour before going outside. In summer, such products should contain sunscreen filters; in winter, the product is chosen with a thicker consistency.
Use homemade mask recipes to nourish your lips at least 2-3 times a week.
Massage your lips regularly. To do this, use soft scrubs made from candied honey and ground oatmeal.
Try to diversify your diet, including fruits, herbs, cottage cheese, fish, fresh vegetables, legumes, and berries.
Try to get rid of bad habits - biting and licking your lips.

And the most important thing is not to despair. After all, you have to endure temporary difficulties for the sake of the baby. And by the time of his appearance, the mother should be healthy and the most beautiful.

Liked? Share with your friends!

Popular questions

I am concerned about dryness and slight itching in the vagina.
Which Gynocomfort is better to use: calming or restorative? To eliminate dryness and itching, Ginocomfort moisturizing gel with mallow extract is better suited. The gel is used in 1 dose 1 time per day for 7-14 days.

For six months now I have had dry vulva, white thick discharge, like kefir, with a bitter or sour odor, and lack of lubrication during sex. It seems like all the symptoms of thrush, but my smears are clean. I rented it out several times. The mucous membrane became very sensitive in the morning. Even if you lubricate it with Ginocomfort gel, the entire surface burns. It's like it was scratched there. From March to January I took the COC Yarina+, but then stopped because... I thought it was a side effect.

Please tell me how can I find out the cause of this condition? You need to conduct a more expanded set of examinations: PCR for STIs (for example, femoflor screening), culture for nonspecific microflora, smear analysis for oncocytology. The results will help not only assess the balance of microflora, but also the degree of hormonal saturation, which is also important in ensuring hydration and elasticity of the mucous membranes.

Good afternoon The doctor prescribed Gynocomfort because of vaginal dryness (I have been taking OK for a long time), I use a gel with mallow extract. When using it, I experience pain, burning and itching, but after a short period of time everything returns to normal, the sensations are good. But I have been using it for more than one week, and the itching and burning is still there. And my young man, after using the gel as a lubricant, developed a cheesy coating and redness. What could it be? Tests for thrush, STIs and HPV are negative. I have vaginitis, I take a course of “Genferon” (5 days for 3 cycles after menstruation), but I use “Gynocomfort”

separately from him. Is pain and burning normal when using this gel? Do I need to stop using Gynocomfort? Hello! If the complaints you describe quickly stop and do not cause further inconvenience, then you should continue using the gel. This is the reaction of the mucous membranes to the onset of the gel’s action. After contact, the partner should take hygienic measures, since the white coating is the result of the interaction of the gel with the contents of the genital tract.

Good afternoon I feel dryness, burning and itching in the vagina; I was previously treated for thrush. I am 44 years old, 8 mm epithelium, uterine fibroids.

Hello!
After anti-inflammatory therapy, an important step is to restore the pH of the environment in the genital tract and lactoflora, which maintains the elasticity of the mucous membranes and hydration. I recommend using Gynocomfort gel with tea tree oil for 7-10 days, 1 dose once a day. For an accurate diagnosis, contact a specialist

How long does it last?

Hormonal levels will gradually begin to return to normal, and the body will naturally create favorable conditions for the fetus. A woman’s appearance instantly reacts to this, she “prettier” before our eyes. Dry lips go away.

Toxicosis is usually observed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Subsequently, appetite normalizes, and the consumption of necessary food components returns to normal.

What should a pregnant woman do when her lips become very dry? Should you be patient for 3 long months and wait for everything to go away on its own?

No, you don't have to wait. This threatens other, more serious problems. Dry lips are prone to cracking, and infections can enter the body through microcracks.

External factors

Sometimes dry skin and mucous membranes have nothing to do with the processes occurring in the mother’s body. It can be called:

dry indoor air;
climatic conditions - heat, wind, sun;
allergies to cosmetics or toothpaste;
habit of constantly licking or biting your lips.

Most external factors are easy to eliminate: just install a room humidifier and use hypoallergenic cosmetics during pregnancy.