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Vaginal Health: All You Should Know

As a woman ages, her body undergoes many changes like skin wrinkling, greying of hair and difficulty in vision and hearing. What most women neglect are the changes that occur ‘down there’. Ladies, your vaginas undergo some major changes as you get older. With bustling lives and being too busy taking care of the family, children, perhaps also a career, women hardly get the time or the thought of taking care of their intimate parts. Throughout a woman’s life, the vagina experiences certain changes. Here’s what all women need to understand about their lady parts and the changes that occur in every decade.

Vaginal changes during the 20’s

A woman’s hormones are at her peak during her 20s, which makes it the best years of her life. This is mainly due to the sex hormones– estrogen, progesterone, testosterone are at their peak. Estrogen helps in maintaining the elasticity of the vagina. If you are sexually active during this time, your libido is in high gear. This may cause a rise in bacterial infections, urinary tract infections and also sexually transmitted diseases. The vagina is a self-cleansing organ and produces a whitish discharge, which is considered normal. This discharge is affected by changes in the menstrual cycle.Also Read: How To Increase Female Libido Rapidly

Vaginal changes during the 30’s

During the 30s, the labia start to become darker because of hormonal changes. During pregnancy, the vaginal discharge may turn slightly milky and may emit certain unpleasant odours. After childbirth, the vagina loses some of its elasticity. With time, they may return back to almost their original size. Routine Kegel’s exercises help in regaining lost muscle tone and strength. One may experience vaginal dryness after taking oral contraceptives, but these symptoms tend to resolve on their own. At this age, women must start paying more attention to adopting a healthy diet and exercise along with regular health checkups.Also read: Boosting your Health: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Increase Estrogen

Vaginal health during the 40’s

Many women start experiencing symptoms of menopause during the 40s like hot flushes, irregular periods, vaginal dryness, etc. These changes occur due to a sharp fall in estrogen levels. Vaginal dryness can lead to painful sexual intercourse, vaginal burning, irritation and also an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Regular sexual intercourse can help ease vaginal dryness and maintain its elasticity or by using hormonal vaginal creams.Also Read: Anteverted Uterus: Clarifying Misconceptions and Understanding Its Impact

Vaginal changes during the 50’s and beyond

By this age, almost every woman has approached menopause, so the hormonal levels are at an all-time low. The vulva shrinks. Vaginal atrophy is another common problem experienced by many women during their 50’s. The changes in vaginal pH may lead to an increase in bacterial growth, which could cause vaginal infections. After menopause, women are also at a risk of developing vaginal prolapse. Vaginal prolapsed may also involve neighbouring organs like the uterus, bladder and rectum. To prevent prolapse, exercises that help in strengthening the pelvic floor will come in handy.The bottom line is, the vagina is an important organ in female reproductive health. But an ageing vagina is not a concern and you can definitely keep it healthy with some simple daily care.Also Read: Understanding and Managing Vaginal Boils: An Essential GuideDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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