Mission Possible - An Exploration of Vaginal Dryness
A multi-part exploration of vaginal dryness that discusses the causes, opportunities for enhancement and ways to get your juices flowing led by Carolyn Braddock, a renowned educator, coach and wellness Professional. Click below to jump directly to your topic of choice or read them all below. Check back regularly or read our blog for the latest conversation on this vital topic.
It’s natural and affects everyone! - An overview of who vaginal dryness affects and it’s causes. An introduction to this incredible Series
Mission Possible! – Emotional Well Being and Sexual Wellness, Rekindle, Reconnect and Rejuvenate. A look at stress, its impact on our body and how to work with it to get your juices flowing!
Yes! – Six ways to increase libido, your natural juices and sexual satisfaction. A look at the physical causes of vaginal dryness and easy, every day opportunities to fine tune your body so it performs with you.
More coming soon! Check back regularly or visit our blog to get the latest information!
Vaginal Dryness, it impacts everyone!
Vaginal dryness affects more than 17% of women age 18 to 50 and more than 50% of women age 51-60. 95% of women report suffering from occasional vaginal dryness. It’s normal, it’s part of life and there are opportunities to increase your comfort, stimulate your body to greater vibrancy and enjoy healthy, fun, sensual intimacy regardless of what stage of life you’re in.
Causes of vaginal dryness are as ordinary as your morning cup of coffee, affect nearly everyone and are completely natural / normal. Some of the more common causes I hear about are:
· Stress / Emotions
· Menopause
· Natural changes in hormone levels
· Chemotherapy
· Childbirth
· Allergies
Vaginal dryness isn’t something that comes up easily in conversation, so unfortunately, most people don’t know just how common it is and how enjoyable it is to work with your body and create the life and experiences you want when it appears. We do it everyday in my sex education classes and workshops. In this blog, I’ll be discussing causes of vaginal dryness and fun, sensual, life embracing ways to work with it to create the life you want. Check back regularly for updates or e-mail me with questions or comments so I can address them specifically.
Vaginal Dryness:
We need regular sexual activity to “keep the juices flowing.” Studies show that natural lubrication helps keep our organs in good working order. But… what about our “emotional body?” We need that emotional connection, that exhilarating feeling of looking and really SEEING into our partner’s eyes, embracing the mind, body, spirit. We need to feel loved, wanted, and language that matches the loving heartfelt spirit. We need to have patience with allowing the natural lubrication to flow like a river of ecstasy. We need to create time, have space, and have an emotionally healthy connection….and then the magic happens. To have this connection means that we may also invite our natural juices to flow on their own. Often, we may add the gift of an all natural personal lubricant to join in this ecstatic journey. Aloe Cadabra with three scents of Natural Aloe, French Lavender, and Tahitian Vanilla, enhances the moment and deepens communication about what we like.
Stress in life…..do we need to name the main stressors we face daily? We suggest a few: financial strain, job stress, health concerns, relationship difficulties, and of course the kids. These stressors stop our bodies from feeling fluid (and fluidity in the mind, body, and spirit creates fluidity in natural lubrication of the physical and sexual body). We may not realize how much these stressors affect us until we try to do too much, and adding the pressure of sexual expression to the list of “I must and I should and I have to.” STOP, in the Name of Love,(as sung by the Supremes.) Our Super woman or Superman uniform becomes our life as we run to try to catch up (and we never do). Vaginal dryness is a HUGE factor in how we respond to stress. Choose to change this pattern NOW.
Take three steps back as you identify stress that clearly affects you, and your ability to breathe and move through life with ease. Then breathe three deep breaths... SLOWLY... SLOWLY...... SLOWLY. Now take a look at what must be done, perhaps making a list of the top four things that you are stressed about, and balance those things with some ways to balance YOU. Take a walk, put on some favorite music and let your body move, sing, play the drums, and BREATHE some more. Now open the drawer and take out your Aloe Cadabra and enjoy the moment of release into deep relaxation, fluidity, and JOY! Choose a scent that fits that moment. DO NOT think about anything else other than breathing and enjoying. (The stressors will wait.) Add some favorite fruit to engage your senses. HAVE fun and practice this way to balance life stressors and YOU.
Yes! Help for Vaginal Dryness is Here
The topic of vaginal dryness is so common among women particularly between the ages of 40 and 60 that it is often a topic to be shared when the “girls” get together. Yes, it is a problem that forms a common bond, and has a definite effect on the sex life. Check out the facts below.
A healthy vagina, which is made up of many layers of cells, stays lubricated with clear fluid, which keeps the vagina healthy, elastic and noticeable when you are aroused. How much lubrication occurs is determined and affected by different factors such as: low estrogen, menopause, stress, fatigue, chemo therapy, medications, allergies, pregnancy, childbirth, drying and chemically based soaps, and of course emotional stress.
Dryness can cause irritation, itching and burning, avoidance of sexual intercourse, and lack of libido, thinning and drying of the vaginal wall. Emotional stress can be a huge factor in dryness. Many women believe and have heard that sexual drive/libido is supposed to go away during menopause. Literature and studies have shown, however, that sex drive is not automatically assumed to be a factor in menopause.
Some 80% of women report symptoms of vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause. Other studies indicate that 95% of women report some occasional vaginal dryness.
OK…those are some facts. Now let’s deal with some solutions and create healthy ways to have a relationship between the body, and sexual experiences. What can YOU do?
1. Drink plenty of water (not soda) to ensure that the body is well hydrated. Balance the diet. Add some nutritional supplements if needed.
2. Be careful about using harsh chemicals, soaps, douches and other products containing allergens, dyes and fragrances.
3. Exercise to increase the “chi” or chi energy and breath moving through the body.
4. Stimulate your sexual organs. Lubrication may take a bit longer, but it is still there. Spend time self pleasuring. With a partner, slow down, take your time.
5. Use some personal lubricant that is natural, and will help to restore your own vaginal moisture. Aloe Cadabra is a magical gel that is 95% organic aloe.
6. Affirm you! You may be getting older, but you certainly can sexual activity can be joyous and exciting. Keep the juices flowing.
