Menopause can bring changes to skin throughout the body, including the delicate external skin of the vulva. One common change is increased dryness, which may be accompanied by feelings of sensitivity, tightness or discomfort.
Understanding why these changes occur can help women make informed decisions about caring for their intimate skin.
Why can vulvar skin become drier during menopause?
Estrogen plays an important role in supporting the structure, hydration and elasticity of skin. As estrogen levels decline during the menopause transition, skin can become thinner, drier and more delicate.
The vulva is made up of sensitive external skin and tissue, so changes in hydration and skin-barrier function may be particularly noticeable in this area.
Other factors that may contribute to dryness
Menopause is not the only factor that can affect vulvar skin. Everyday habits and environmental factors may also influence how the skin feels.
These can include frequent washing, hot water, fragranced soaps or personal-care products, tight or non-breathable clothing, friction and certain medications.
Because every woman's experience is different, what feels comfortable for one person may not feel comfortable for another.
Caring for dry, sensitive external intimate skin
Gentle care can be especially important when intimate skin feels dry or sensitive. Consider avoiding heavily fragranced products and harsh cleansers, and choose products designed with sensitive external skin in mind.
The goal of a simple intimate-skin routine is to help support comfort, hydration and the skin barrier without unnecessary irritation.
Persistent dryness, burning, itching, pain, unusual discharge, bleeding or other new symptoms should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional, as these symptoms can have causes other than normal skin changes associated with menopause.