Vaginal health is often overlooked or misunderstood, and is as important a part of overall wellness as maintaining oral health. Hormones, lifestyle and life events cause a woman’s vaginal health to change with age. Through this guide, women can keep their well being at the center of their lives, right from all age levels.
The Teen Years (Ages 13–19): Setting the Foundation
The teenage years are when girls begin to grow into womanhood, and in comes major hormonal changes. During this time menstrual cycles start, and so it is very crucial to begin with the right hygiene standards early on in your life.
Common Concerns applicable to teen years relate to menstrual hygiene and preventing common infections like yeast infections and urinary tract infection (UTIs). Some teens are also learning about their bodies and might be finding it difficult to speak to parents or doctors about gynecological issues.
Care Tips:
- Reduce moisture and avoid infections through breathable cotton underwear.
- Choose unscented gentle menstrual products and change them regularly without fail; otherwise, irritation or infections may occur.
- While not a sexual adult, educate teenagers about safe sexual health practices.
It’s important to build confidence in talking with a trusted adult or health care provider about vaginal health.
The 20s: We will cover fertility and our lifestyle choices
Rationally, if you’re in your 20s, you are very likely to maintain an active lifestyle with sexual activity and career or academic stress, for instance. Vaginal health can be affected by these factors and for this reason, it pays to be proactive about preventive care.
Common Concerns about having a vulva include needing birth control to prevent pregnancy, protecting and maintaining a healthy vaginal pH balance, and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
Care Tips:
- Have regular gynecological checkups and Pap smears to find any abnormalities early.
- Use protection and get an STI screening regularly; practice safe sex.
- Don’t use harsh soaps or douches which can upset the normal balance of vaginal flora and irritate you.
The 30s: Childbearing Years
It’s hard for most women because they are pregnant for a lot of their time in their 30s, they give birth to children, and have to recover after that. The changes that occur in vaginal health are exclusive to these life events.
Last Mile includes vaginal changes during pregnancy (such as increased discharge or sensitivity) as well as postpartum dryness or discomfort. There may be issues with your pelvic floor – things like mild incontinence.
Care Tips:
- Add pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, to strengthen your muscles and fend off problems like incontinence.
- Use gynecologist recommended lubricants or moisturizers to manage postpartum dryness.
- To keep healthy as a whole, here at 30, you should eat a balanced diet containing nutrients as well as foods which support a healthy vaginal flora such as yogurt.
- Talk to a healthcare professional if anything has changed about the body in this period.
The 40s: Hormonal Shifts and Perimenopause
Many women are in their 40s when they enter perimenopause (per-e-MEN-o-paus) , the years leading up to menopause. During this time hormonal changes may result in changes in vaginal health that can be noticeable.
Common Concerns are caused by decreased estrogen levels, which can lead to vaginal dryness and irritation as well as an increased risk of infections.
Care Tips:
- To prevent dryness use vaginal moisturizers or hydrating gels.
- Drink a lot of water every day to stay hydrated.
- Talk to a gynecologist about symptoms; additional tests may be done and, depending on the results, the doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other treatments.
- This will keep the muscle tone and reduce the risk of prolapse.
- By understanding the changes that may occur during perimenopause, women know how to maneuver through this phase in a very comfortable way.
The 50s and Beyond: Menopause and Postmenopause
Natural changes in hormones that occur during menopause and the years beyond it can have major effects on vaginal health from the decline in estrogen levels.
Common Concerns are a loss of libido, vaginal atrophy (thinning, dryness of vaginal tissues) which can lead to discomfort during intimacy. It might also cause you to worry about prolapse or urinary incontinence.
Care Tips:
- Atrophy is a condition for which you should talk to your gynecologist in Rawalpindi about using vaginal estrogen creams along with other recommendations you get from your doctor.
- If you’re sexually active, stay so or use vaginal dilators to keep it elastic and comfortable.
- Avoid irritation by sticking with gentle, fragrance free products when cleaning and moisturizing.
- Regular visits with a gynecologist allow for any problems to be resolved quickly and overall to live a better quality life.
General Tips for Vaginal Health Of All Ages
While care needs evolve with age, some practices remain constant:
- Hygiene: Gently clean the vaginal area with warm water, and do not use scented products that can interfere with the normal pH balance.
- Diet: Probios such as yogurt and vitamins rich foods in order to keep healthy vaginal flora.
- Lifestyle: Stay away from smoking and too much drinking, both of which are bad for vaginal health. Do regular physical activity to stimulate circulation and general well being.
Conclusion
Good vaginal health is an important part of the overall health of a woman at every age. Fortunately for women, the beauty and wellness industry understands that with age comes growth and evolution, so they have made age specific products that allow women to stay up to date with growing. Asking healthcare professionals for personalized advice, and treating any concerns quickly and appropriately, keeps everyone as fit and comfortable as possible throughout life.
The ability to empower women to choose their vaginal health first, allows for a proactive rather than a reactive concept of wellness that can ultimately improve physical and emotional well being.