Facebook Pixel

Vulvar Discomfort

By EmpowHER January 20, 2012 - 4:16pm

It is estimated that more than 14 million American women experience vulvar discomfort that generally affects many aspects of daily life, including intimacy. Vulvar discomfort can manifest in pain, itch and pronounced dryness on or around the vulva.

Hormonal changes can have a serious effect on vulvar skin. A decrease in estrogen has been linked to thinning skin, consequently making the vulva vulnerable. Such hormonal changes occur during menopause and can cause significant discomfort beyond just dryness.



A lesser known fact is that oral contraceptives lead to reduced estrogen levels. Therefore, even younger women experience vulvar discomfort. This is becoming more and more evident due to recent medical research. Certain drugs taken during breast cancer treatment can cause decreased estrogen levels, bringing about vulvar discomfort as well.

Vulvar discomfort can be real and is usually not "all in the mind.” Dealing with vulvar discomfort can lead to problems with partners and relationships by affecting intimacy. Ultimately, this can develop into emotional problems and low self-esteem issues.

Add a CommentComments

There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy

Painful Sexual Intercourse

Get Email Updates

Painful Sexual Intercourse Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!