Does Vaginal Dryness Improve on Its Own?

The good news is that some menopausal symptoms end without any medical intervention, and many women report feeling much better once they enter post-menopause. Some studies suggest that vasomotor symptoms last just over seven years on average for most women. The reason behind why women experience hot flashes and night sweats is still unknown, but experts believe that the shifting hormones cause sensitivity to temperature. So, when the hormones stop fluctuating so much, the symptoms begin to go away. But, some women do have vasomotor symptoms that last for the rest of their lives. 

Vasomotor symptoms don’t include all menopausal symptoms—in fact, they only refer to hot flashes and night sweats. While hot flashes and night sweats are highly irritating and the most commonly experienced symptoms, the other menopausal effects can be long-term or permanent. But the important thing is that you don’t feel like you have to suffer. Safe treatments abound that can help you find relief. 

Some Menopausal Symptoms Are Permanent

Why do some menopausal symptoms last forever? These are the symptoms that are specifically related to the decrease in estrogen production that happens during menopause. The estrogen production never comes back—unless you begin hormone replacement therapy—so the effects caused by the lack of estrogen will unfortunately not go away on their own. 

Estrogen is responsible for so much that happens in women’s bodies. Not only does estrogen regulate your menstrual cycles, but it also helps keep cholesterol levels in check and safeguards your bones. It also maintains blood flow to your vagina, helps keep it lubricated, and ensures that the skin tissue is healthy. Studies show that vaginal dryness does not get better on its own.

How to Deal With Long-Term Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is more than a nuisance. Medical experts attest that it significantly reduces women’s quality of life. But, just because vaginal dryness won’t go away on its own doesn’t mean it’s permanent. It just needs to be treated. So, if you start experiencing vaginal dryness, whatever you do, don’t ignore it. Let your doctor know about your symptoms at your annual physical. It’s an incredibly common occurrence and there is nothing to be embarrassed about.