Menopause is a transitional stage in the life of every woman when normal ovarian function ceases. This period begins at the age of 45-50, as evidenced by disruption of the rhythm of menstruation and the end of reproductive function. The process of fading of the ovaries begins gradually: at first the eggs stop maturing, but hormonal functions can still manifest themselves for quite a long time. The climacteric period lasts on average from six months to 2-3 years, the period of its onset depends on the living conditions of each individual woman, as well as the individual characteristics of the whole organism.

With the advent of menopause, age-related changes in the genital organs of women occur, but you should not be afraid of this, because this phenomenon is inherent in nature itself.

Causes of early and late menopause

Early menopause is often associated with hereditary and constitutional characteristics, as well as various chronic diseases. Poor nutrition, unfavorable working and living conditions also contribute to rapid aging of the body. Premature menopause can occur as a result of metabolic disorders, mental and physical trauma, and also previously suffered diseases of the reproductive system. Often, early menopause is facilitated by numerous induced abortions.

Very often, early cessation of menstruation leads to early onset of menopause, which is very difficult. Numerous studies have shown that women who get their first period early enter menopause much later.

Late menopause appears as a result of the development of painful processes in the female reproductive system, for example, fibroids or uterine cancer.

How does the menopause proceed?

After menstruation has completely stopped, menopause occurs, and for some women, menstruation may stop gradually, while for others it may stop immediately. Sometimes menstruation may be absent for several months and then return again until menopause eventually occurs.

Changes in the genital organs

During menopause, a woman's genitals also undergo some changes. The ovaries become smaller and shrink, and their functions weaken. Normal follicles no longer develop and thus lose the ability to produce full-fledged eggs and corpus luteum. Sometimes during menopause, a normal egg may mature in the ovary, which explains the facts of late pregnancy and childbirth.

Major changes are observed in the pituitary gland, thyroid gland and adrenal glands. Such phenomena provoke changes not only in the reproductive system, but also in the entire female body. The uterus begins to decrease in size, the vagina narrows and shortens, and its mucous membrane becomes thinner and smoother, thereby reducing the protective functions of the vaginal wall. Adipose tissue gradually disappears on the labia and pubis, as a result of which the hair begins to turn gray and thin.

Appearance changes

During menopause, a woman's appearance and figure change. As a result of metabolic disorders, most women experience increased fat deposition, especially on the abdomen, hips and breasts. Sometimes a woman can, on the contrary, lose weight - with the disappearance of the fat layer, her skin begins to lose elasticity.

In most cases, menopause is asymptomatic and is not accompanied by any painful sensations, which allows women to feel not only healthy, but also able to work. However, age-related changes in women often lead to disruptions in the body’s vital functions and serious complications that require medical intervention.

Age-related manifestations in women:

Vascular disorders accompanied by hot flashes to the face, head and other parts of the body;

Profuse sweating;

Fatigue, weakness and drowsiness;

Heart pain;

Unconscious fear and anxiety;

Fainting;

Dizziness and tinnitus;

Fluctuations in blood pressure;

Increased heart rate;

Numbness of the lower extremities;

Insomnia;

Migraine;

Nervous overexcitation;

Nausea and vomiting;

Quick mood changes;

Itching of the genitals.

Age-related changes in the genital organs in women can manifest themselves in prolonged bleeding, which weakens and may indicate the presence of cancerous lesions of the reproductive system. Such symptoms should be taken seriously and immediately contact a gynecologist.

Significant disturbances during menopause also occur in the digestive organs. A woman may experience frequent constipation, colicky pain, bloating and nausea. As a rule, these symptoms disappear without a trace over time.

How to ease menopause

To ensure that the adverse effects of menopause do not bother you, it is recommended to follow some rules that will help prevent them. You should walk more in the fresh air, exercise regularly and get enough sleep. Light laxatives of natural origin, such as almond or dill water, as well as a glass of yogurt or kefir before bed will help avoid constipation.

Contrasting foot baths effectively help combat hot flashes. In addition, evening baths with sea salt or pine extract have an invigorating and revitalizing effect, which have a positive effect on the nerve endings and blood vessels of the skin. A woman’s proper healthy diet plays an important role, which should contain all the substances the body needs: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and mineral salts. During menopause, it is advisable to consume animal fats in limited quantities, as they are poorly digested and deposited in the body, leading to obesity and atherosclerosis. / website/

Unfortunately, you cannot escape age and aging is as integral a part of life as youth. We know that sooner or later we will have to deal with varicose veins, osteoporosis, gray hair and loss of breast elasticity. However, let's be honest, most of us don't even think that the vagina, like the rest of the body, also changes over the years. With the help of experts, the site decided to figure out what age-related changes in the vagina each of us should be prepared for.

Many believe that childbirth has the greatest impact on the condition of the vagina, but they forget about other factors - exercise, sexual activity, weight fluctuations, hormonal changes and age. Meanwhile, they have no less (if not more) effect on the intimate area. However, one should not be surprised by this lack of awareness: most are simply not ready to accept the fact that the vagina changes over the years.

Surely you remember one of the episodes of the cult TV series “Sex and the City”, when the discouraged Samantha discovered a gray hair on her pubic hair. Those who were completely unprepared for age-related changes in their genitals! And yet this is not the worst thing that can happen to him. We decided to ask gynecologists how the vagina changes throughout life.

Under 18 years old

“By the age of sixteen to eighteen, the vagina reaches its full development. The mucous membrane is pink, it is well moisturized, the pelvic floor muscles are developed, and the walls are elastic,” Ekaterina Nikolaevna Zhumanova, head of the Center for Gynecology, Aesthetic and Reproductive Medicine at the MEDSI Clinical Hospital on Pyatnitskoe Highway, told us. “The elasticity and moisture of the vulva and vagina are ensured by estrogens, which are produced in sufficient quantities at this age.”

Estrogens are participants in collagen metabolism in the body and necessary components for maintaining tissue tone and elasticity. Also, these hormones are responsible for the microcenosis of the vagina - that is, they create conditions for its hydration and protection from pathogenic microorganisms.

From 20 to 30 years

“From the age of twenty to thirty, against the background of a peak in the amount of estrogen, additional folding and combing appear on the vaginal mucosa. There is a myth that the vagina becomes folded only after training the intimate muscles or wumbling. This is completely false. A normal vagina at a young age always has folds, due to this it is stretchable and elastic,” says Ekaterina Nikolaevna. All these factors ensure a good quality of sexual life, a feeling of a narrow vagina and high sensitivity.

Tatyana Evgenievna Sokolova, obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist at the Life Line reproduction center confirms that estrogens are responsible for moisture, tone, and color of the vaginal mucosa. “However, with regular sexual activity using condoms, in some cases women experience the problem of dry vaginal mucosa and poor lubrication,” warns the specialist.

Experts insist that it is at this age that intimate hygiene habits are formed. Wear cotton underwear to minimize the growth of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, and use mild, unscented soap. Tatyana Evgenievna insists that poor hygiene, including (!) wearing thongs, irregular changing of panty liners, and synthetic underwear can contribute to the fact that pathological intestinal flora can enter the vagina. This leads to all the complaints with which girls come for examination.

Nevertheless, excessive inclination towards hygiene turns out to be also harmful.

“Many patients often resort to douching, replacing contraception (yes, some still believe in this technique today). Because of this, the normal flora is washed out, the acidity of the vagina changes, and favorable conditions are created for the growth and development of pathological flora,” says the obstetrician-gynecologist. Who would have thought, but intimate hygiene gels with fragrances and aggressive fragrances can also negatively affect the condition of the vagina and cause a chronic inflammatory process.

From 30 to 40 years old

The level of estrogen from the period from twenty to forty years is approximately the same. Consequently, hormones are quite sufficient to maintain the vaginal mucosa and perineal skin at this age. However, some women who take birth control medications that prevent ovulation may experience dryness, a burning sensation, and the amount of lubrication in the vagina may be reduced.

Many representatives of the fair sex decide to become mothers at this age. “During childbirth, the vaginal mucosa is injured, often causing tears and cracks. All this, of course, does not go unnoticed, because scar tissue appears in their place, elasticity and stretchability decrease. The vagina becomes wider, which can negatively affect the quality of sexual life,” summarizes Ekaterina Nikolaevna.

However, there is good news: tissue healing occurs faster at a younger age. It has to do with immunity and overall health.

“The restoration of the vaginal mucosa after childbirth is influenced by a lot of factors, not just the patient’s age. The midwife’s experience is largely responsible for the safety of the birth canal, says Dr. Sokolova. “Ruptures, too rapid childbirth, a large fetus and sutures in the intimate area have a negative impact on the condition of the genital organs.” After childbirth during breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for lactation, begins to predominate in a woman’s body. During this phase, the level of estrogen in the body begins to decrease, which has a bad effect on the vaginal mucosa, its elasticity and hydration.

“It is impossible not to mention connective tissue dysplasia syndrome, which today is becoming more and more common,” notes Dr. Zhumanova. - The essence of the syndrome is that with age, the amount of collagen in the body decreases. Manifestations of the pathology are pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and premature aging of the skin (including in the intimate area).” By the way, dilated veins can appear not only on the legs, as we are accustomed to believe, but also on the labia minora. And due to hormonal changes, they can darken several tones.

“To summarize, we can say that this period is favorable for a woman in terms of saturation of the body with estrogen, but special attention should be paid to the prevention of organ prolapse. This includes teaching home training techniques and various methods of myostimulation,” emphasizes Ekaterina Nikolaevna.

From 40 to 50 years old

During this period, your body begins to prepare for menopause and estrogen levels slowly but surely begin to decrease. Decreased elasticity, tone of the walls of the vagina and pelvic floor, dryness, decreased rate of hair growth in the bikini area - all these are consequences of hormonal changes. According to Tatyana Evgenievna’s experience, closer to fifty years of age, women complain of prolapse of the vaginal walls, and in some, the cervix also prolapses. In this case, representatives of the fair sex feel severe discomfort during sex. When this pathology occurs, intimate plastic surgery is often performed, which helps not only to improve the quality of sexual life, but also to relieve the woman of discomfort.

“Descent can occur due to the characteristics of the ligamentous apparatus and genetically determined characteristics of tissue elasticity. In addition, pathology can appear due to heavy physical exertion (when exercising with a barbell in the gym) and work associated with heavy lifting (for example, a woman is a cook and often carries full pots), Dr. Sokolova gives an example from life. “Prolapse also occurs after childbirth, but at a young age the tissues are elastic and recover quite quickly.” Sometimes the disease leads to the weakening of the bladder sphincter, and the woman begins to experience urinary incontinence. This is a very big and serious problem.

From 50 to 60 years

During the menopausal period, due to a lack of estrogen, a woman faces so-called age-related vaginal dryness, problems of pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, and disturbances in the normal microflora of the vagina. Dr. Zhumanova explains that the natural folds gradually disappear and the mucous membrane smoothes out. Given the reduced amount of lubrication and decreased elasticity, pain and discomfort may occur during sex. To combat these changes, it is worth using a systematic approach: monitoring and correction of hormone levels, laser treatment methods, intimate biorevitalization, augmentation (filler injection) of sensitive areas (clitoris and G zone), use of lubricants during intimacy.

Menopause occurs for every woman at its own time: for some it happens a little earlier, for others later.

This may depend on weight and genetics: if the mother had early menopause, then the woman is already at risk for early menopause.

Tatyana Evgenievna agrees with her colleague that during this period there is a critical decrease in estrogen levels. When menopause has arrived and enough time has passed since the last menstruation (a year or two), half of the patients begin to consult specialists about itching, burning, discomfort and discharge. All this is associated with hormonal changes and the onset of postmenopause.

From 60 years old

At the time of postmenopause, a woman no longer produces estrogens, so the vaginal mucosa begins to change at the cellular level and becomes thinner. Atrophic changes affect the glands that produce mucus. Due to the lack of estrogens, lactobacilli, which protect the vaginal microflora, become smaller, pathological flora join in, and the natural barrier of the vagina is disrupted. Again, it’s worth mentioning about prolapse of the vaginal walls: after sixty years, the likelihood of this pathology occurring increases significantly.

You don’t have to look far for an example: our grandmothers love to work at the dacha and carry buckets of water and weed the beds.

All this contributes to the fact that the disease can appear or progress.

“Discomfort in the intimate area and atrophic changes in the vaginal mucosa that occur during postmenopause are well compensated by hormone replacement therapy, which is selected by a gynecologist,” says Dr. Sokolova. - In this case, the quality of life really improves. Many postmenopausal women are sexually active - both at sixty-five and even at sixty-eight years old. They are very pleased that modern medicine can change their intimate life for the better.”

Tatyana Evgenievna assures that now there is a wide range of anti-aging corrective procedures: hardware laser rejuvenation techniques and various injections, mesotherapy, hyaluronic acid injections. All this is done to saturate the vaginal mucosa, improve its quality and, as a result, the woman’s general well-being.

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods eventually stop and her body undergoes changes that prevent her from becoming pregnant. This is a natural phenomenon that usually occurs in women between 45 and 55 years old. Alternative names: perimenopause, postmenopause.

During menopause, a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs, and the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. Changing levels of these hormones cause menopausal symptoms. Menstruation occurs less frequently and eventually stops. Sometimes it happens suddenly. But generally, periods slowly stop over time.

Menopause is considered complete when a woman has not had periods for 1 year. This is called postmenopause. Postmenopausal women cannot become pregnant.

Surgical menopause, when treatment causes estrogen levels to fall. This may happen if your ovaries are removed or if you are receiving chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.

Menopause symptoms

Symptoms vary from woman to woman. They can last 5 or more years. Some women may experience worse symptoms than others. Symptoms of surgical menopause can be more severe and begin more suddenly. The first thing you will notice is that the frequency of your periods has begun to change. Menstruation may occur more frequently or less frequently than usual. Some women may have periods every 3 weeks. This may continue for 1 to 3 years until periods stop completely.

Common menopause symptoms include:

Menstruation occurs less and less frequently and stops altogether;
- Increased heart rate;
- Hot flashes, usually during the first 1 - 2 years;
- Night sweats;
- Skin hyperemia;
- Sleep disorders.

Other menopause symptoms may include:

Decreased interest in sex, possibly decreased response to sexual stimulation;
- Memory impairment;
- Headaches;
- Frequent mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety;
- Urinary incontinence;
- Vaginal dryness and pain during sexual intercourse;
- Vaginal infections;
- Pain in the lower abdomen;
- Heart rhythm disturbances (rapid heartbeat).

Diagnosis of menopause

To determine changes in hormone levels, it is advisable to conduct urine and blood tests. Their results can determine how close your reproductive system is to menopause, or whether you have reached menopause. Typically, tests include Estradiol and FSH.

Your doctor will usually perform a pelvic examination. A decrease in estrogen can lead to changes in the vaginal lining.

Bone loss increases during the first few years after your last menstrual period, so your doctor may order a bone density test to determine osteoporosis.

Treatment during menopause

Treatment for menopause depends on many factors, including what your symptoms are, your overall health, and your preferences. It could be lifestyle changes or hormone therapy.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy may help if you have severe hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, or vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy is treatment with female hormones such as estrogen and sometimes progesterone.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor should know your complete medical history before prescribing hormone therapy. Learn about options that don't involve hormones. Several large studies question the health benefits and risks of hormone therapy, including the risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots.

Hormone therapy is effective in treating hot flashes;
- Hormone therapy can be used in women who have recently entered menopause;
- Hormone therapy should not be used in women whose menopause began many years ago, with the exception of estrogen-containing vaginal creams;
- The same drug should not be used for 5 or more years;
- Women taking hormone therapy have a low risk of developing stroke, heart disease, blood clots, or breast cancer.

To reduce the risks associated with estrogen therapy, your doctor may recommend:

Low dose estrogen or another estrogen product, such as a vaginal cream or patch rather than a pill;
- Frequent and regular gynecological examinations, including Pap smears to detect problems such as cervical cancer as early as possible;
- Frequent and regular physical examinations of the mammary glands and mammography;
If you have a uterus and decide to take estrogen, you should also take progesterone to prevent cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). If you don't have a uterus, you don't need progesterone.

There are other medications that can help with mood swings, hot flashes and other symptoms. These include:

Antidepressants, including paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and fluoxetine (Prozac);
- If blood pressure increases, Clonidine (Clonidine, Clophelinum) may be prescribed;
- Gabapentin also helps reduce hot flashes;
- Diet and lifestyle changes may be recommended

Hormones are not always necessary to reduce menopausal symptoms. There are many things you can do to reduce your symptoms.

1. Diet change:

Eliminate or minimize your intake of caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods.
- Eat soy products. Soy contains estrogen.
- Take enough calcium and vitamin D in food or supplements.

2. Physical exercises and relaxation techniques:

Adequate physical activity.
- Kegel exercises every day, they strengthen the muscles of the vagina and pelvis.
- Practice slow, deep breathing as the tide begins to come. Try taking six breaths per minute.
- Try yoga, tai chi, or meditation.

3. Other tips:

Dress appropriately for the weather.
- Keep having sex.
- Use a water-based lubricant or vaginal moisturizer during sex.
- Visit an acupuncturist (acupuncture).

Possible complications during menopause

Some women may experience vaginal bleeding after menopause. This is not a cause for serious concern. However, you should tell your doctor if this happens. This may be an early sign of other health problems, including cancer.

Decreased estrogen levels have some long-term effects, including:

Bone loss and osteoporosis in women;
- Changes in cholesterol levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Call your doctor if:

Between menstruation you experience spotting;
- After 12 months of no menstruation and suddenly vaginal bleeding or spotting appears, even if it is a very small amount.

Prevention of menopause

Menopause is a natural and expected part of a woman's development and cannot be prevented. You can reduce your risk of long-term problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease:

Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease.
- Quitting smoking. Cigarettes can lead to early menopause.
- Low-fat diets.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps strengthen bones and improve balance and coordination.
- If you notice early signs of bone loss or have a strong family history of osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about medications that may help prevent further weakening.
- Take calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Changes in the external genitalia in men, including changes in the size of the penis and scrotum, may indicate various diseases.

The penis is an unpaired organ that serves to perform sexual intercourse, conduct ejaculate, and also to remove urine. The penis consists of the glans, shaft and base of the penis. The penis consists of two cavernous and spongy bodies. The length of the erect penis in Caucasian men averages 13-16.6 cm. A true micropenis is a penis whose length during erection is less than 9 cm. Sometimes micropenis is mistakenly understood as a hidden penis, which is caused by excessive development of pubic fatty tissue or hypertrophied , long foreskin.

Fig1. Urogenital organs in humans (diagram).
1- adrenal gland; 3 - renal calyx; 4 - renal pelvis; 5 - ureter;
6 - bladder, 7 - urethra; 8 - prostate gland; 9 - seminalnew bubbles; 10 - vas deferens; 11 - epididymis, 12 - testicle;
13 - sexualmember

The scrotum in humans is represented by a sac-like formation formed by a musculocutaneous flap and contains the testicles and their appendages. The skin of the scrotum is pigmented and contains many sweat and sebaceous glands. The skin of the scrotum is connected to the so-called fleshy membrane consisting of muscle fibers. When these fibers contract, the scrotal cavity decreases and the skin becomes folded. Between the fleshy membrane and the muscle that lifts the testicle (m. cremaster), which envelops the spermatic cord and testicle, there is a layer of loose fiber that passes into that of the penis. Along this fiber, inflammatory infiltration easily passes from one area to another. The blood supply to the scrotum is well developed, coming from the system of external and internal genital arteries and the inferior epigastric artery. There are many anastomoses with the testicular artery arising from the abdominal aorta. The veins of the scrotum drain into the venous plexus of the spermatic cord, the external genital and inferior rectal veins. Lymphatic drainage occurs to the inguinal lymph nodes. Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the scrotum, it is often used in plastic surgery of the penis. The testicles in the male body perform two main functions - germinative and intrasecretory, which consists in the production of male sex hormones, among which the main one is testosterone. The temperature required for normal spermatogenesis is maintained by the anatomical location of the testes in the scrotum and by the mechanism of varying thermal conditions provided by the testicular venous plexus.

When examining the scrotum, attention is paid to its size, degree of sagging, severity or absence of folding and pigmentation, indicating a lack of androgens in the body (scrotal atony). The position of the testicles and epididymis, their size and consistency are determined. Normal testicles have an elastic consistency. There are testometers and orchipometers for measuring testicles. The normal sizes of testicles at the age of 18 to 55 years are: length 4 - 5 cm, thickness 2.5 - 3 cm, which corresponds to an average volume of 8 ml. Fluctuations from (2 to 30 ml) are considered normal. Testicular volume correlates with sperm production. Normal testicular volume in combination with azoospermia may indicate the presence of obstructive forms of infertility. With a longitudinal size of less than 2.5 cm, the testicle should be considered hypotrophic or hypoplastic.

Changing the size of the penis

In addition to physiological erection, penile enlargement can develop acutely or be chronic. The most common causes of penile enlargement are priopism and trauma. If the enlargement of the penis is not accompanied by pain, we are most likely talking about priopism (pathological erection). In this case, the skin of the penis is not changed, the head is not tense. When the penis is injured, it increases in size. The penis is swollen, its color changes and becomes purple-blue, and significant pain is noted on palpation. Also, with trauma, the membrane of the corpus cavernosum often ruptures and the penis becomes curved. Curvature of the penis can also be congenital, usually due to insufficient development of one of the cavernous bodies. Painless curvature in these cases is observed both in a state of erection and in a calm position of the penis. If pain occurs without an erection or intensifies during the latter, Peyronie's disease can be assumed. With this disease, compaction of the longitudinal sections of the cavernous bodies outside of erection is determined.

In the case of chronic enlargement of the penis, we are most likely talking about either chronic intermittent priapism or elephantiasis.

Penis sizes

Congenital micropenis is a consequence of fetal testosterone deficiency. Megapenis is considered a symptom of adrenal hyperactivity in combination with a tumor of the testicular interstitial cells.

Scrotal enlargement

Scrotal enlargement can be unilateral or bilateral. If the enlargement of the scrotum is accompanied by temperature and pain when palpated, we are most likely talking about inflammation in the appendages or testicles. The absence of pain indicates hydrocele or elephantiasis. Enlargement of the scrotum may not be associated with diseases of the genital organs and may develop as a result, for example, of decompensation of heart disease.

A painful enlargement of one half of the scrotum indicates the likelihood of an inflamed hydrocele, acute epididymitis, or acute orchitis.

Determination upon examination and palpation of a grape-shaped protrusion of the skin of the scrotum, usually on the left, especially in young people, in a standing position, disappearing or decreasing in a lying position, indicates varicose veins of the spermatic cord.

The absence of both testicles in the scrotum indicates bilateral cryptorchidism or testicular agenesis. Identification of only one testicle in the scrotum is a sign of unilateral cryptorchidism (on the opposite side).

Phimosis

Phimosis is the absence of release of the head of the penis from the foreskin due to its narrowing. With phimosis, inflammation of the glans penis often occurs. In severe cases of phimosis, urinary retention and ureterohydronephrosis may develop. Phimosis is a predisposing factor in the development of penile tumors.

There are congenital and acquired phimosis. Congenital phimosis also includes physiological, noted in the first years of a child’s life, and acquired phimosis, which develops against the background of balanoposthitis and diabetes mellitus. There are also atrophic and hypertrophic forms of the disease. Diagnosis of the disease is based on an analysis of the patient’s complaints and physical examination.

Treatment of patients with phimosis is mainly surgical.

Your vagina won't celebrate its birthday with you every year, but age-related changes are inevitable. Its shape and tone will depend on many factors: childbirth, menopause, injuries, hormonal levels and many other things.

30 years old

Women taking birth control pills may experience vaginal dryness at this age. The pills stop ovulation, which can lead to a reduction in the amount of natural lubrication on some days of the cycle. Until now, doctors cannot accurately answer the question of why some women face this problem, while others happily avoid it.

Some women decide to have a child at this age. Of course, pregnancy and childbirth will seriously affect your intimate area. Some changes will be expected, others will probably surprise you. For example, some women discover that they have real varicose veins THERE. Yes, that's because the uterus becomes very heavy during pregnancy, says Alyssa Dweck, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. York and a practicing gynecologist in Westchester County.

Swollen blood vessels are characteristic of late pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. Hormones can also change the color of your vulva. If it gets dark, don't worry.

Popular

Luckily, "the vagina is very forgiving," as Dweck points out. This means that due to the elasticity and active saturation of the vulva with blood, any injuries received as a result of childbirth heal quickly.

But in order to return your intimate area to tone and continue to enjoy sex, you need to support it with exercises.

40 years old

If you previously methodically removed your pubic hair with a razor or wax, by the age of forty you may notice pigmentation in this area and skin changes. As estrogen levels drop, pubic hair may become thinner.

A drop in estrogen levels is one of the signs of perimenopause. It usually begins at this age, and menopause itself can occur between 50 and 52 years. Your vagina may lose elasticity and become dry.

50 years

A time rich in change. Typically, women reach menopause around age 50. We will only talk about changes in the intimate area, although it is obvious that changes in hormonal status will affect the health of the entire body. Decreased estrogen levels cause vaginal tissue to become less elastic, thinner, and drier. Because of this, sex without additional hydration can be unpleasant - you may feel like you are being rubbed with sandpaper and you urgently need to go to the toilet.

Not long ago, doctors insisted that these changes be summarized as “urogenital syndrome of menopause” or GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause). Women should remember that during this period they need to be especially careful about their health and not lose sight of the symptoms of illness.

If you're comfortable looking at your genitals with a small mirror, at this age you'll notice that your vulva has suddenly... smoothed out. This occurs due to the loss of fat and collagen in this area, which were previously in excess due to estrogen. “I tell women that this is the only place on our body where we would like to see wrinkles and folds, and the only one that loses them as we age, rather than gaining them,” says Stephanie S. Faubion, director of women's medicine. health at the Mayo Clinic (Office of Women's Health at Mayo Clinic). Dr. Faubion warns that as skin gets thinner and less elastic as we age, this can cause the vulva to look a little... shrunken.

As estrogen levels drop, some bacteria may settle in the vagina and this will change its pH. When the vaginal environment becomes more acidic, it becomes more vulnerable to infections. Loss of elasticity may also be to blame - microcracks form more easily.

60 years old

Hot flashes and night sweats may persist for several years, but things will get better over time. But the changes in the vagina, unfortunately, cannot be stopped. 50−60% of women at this age complain of vaginal dryness. If you do nothing about it, you can end up in a vicious circle. “When sex hurts post-menopausal women, they start avoiding it. When trying to have vaginal sex, the pelvic floor muscles instinctively contract, thus protecting themselves from pain. The brain tells you: “This will hurt.” And this compression makes it even more painful,” says Dr. Faubion. Believe it or not, while most women indulge in Kegel exercises to keep their vaginal muscles toned, others, on the other hand, need to undergo physical therapy to weaken these muscles.

What to do?

No one will lie to you - no one will be able to avoid the natural aging of the body. But this process can be made less traumatic - psychologically and physically.

It is very important to find “your” doctor as early as possible - a person with whom you will be comfortable not only physically, but also psychologically. Even if it seems to you that the first problems are far away, that now it is not so important which specialist you go to for a routine examination, this will soon change. That is why it is so important now, through trial and error, to find a doctor to whom you can ask any questions, with whom you can speak frankly, and he or she, in turn, will know your body well.

At the first sign of dryness, use artificial lubricant. Seriously, this is important. Firstly, it will be more pleasant for you to have sex. Secondly, this way you will protect yourself from damage to the vagina. Be very careful with any cooling or warming lubricants! Oil-based lubricants are not very friendly with condoms, and silicone lubricants can damage your vibrator; it is better to use water-based lubricants with them.