Vaginal and Clitoral atrophy refer to changes in the tissues of the female genital organs, part of the reproductive system, that occurs with age related hormone changes.
In our ovulatory fertile years the female hormone estrogen is produced by our ovaries and is nourishing and stimulating to the tissues and organs of the female genital tract.
Estrogen boosts skin health and helps the vaginal glands to produce moisture and respond to arousal.
When a woman starts to experience perimenopause and ultimately menopause, estrogen levels go from being high and sustained between ovulatory peaks, to lower and intermittently lacking, to permanently depleted.
In a sustained low oestrogen hormonal environment, female sexual tissues including the vagina, vulva and clitoris undergo atrophy.
This process refers to the shrinkage of the tissues themselves, and also a change in their architecture, making the vagina less stretchy, reactive and supple and the clitoris less sensative, responsive and prominant.
Clitoral atrophy refers to a change in the architecture of the clitoris that occurs with persistant low oestrogen.
The clitoris is often thought of as a mound of female erectile tissue at the front and top of the vaginal entrance. In actuality, the clitoris also has deep roots that extend around the vagina itself. The shrinkage and in some cases near disappearance of clitoral tissue and with it reduces blood flow and sexual sensation can be distressing to women who experience it.
With these changes, oestrogen depletion is also associated with blunting and reduction of female libido and ability to achieve the sensation of sexual arousal.
The result can be feeling frustratingly less into sex and also finding it harder to enjoy sex and to achieve orgasm.
Vaginal atrophy means for some women, sex can actually become painful. The vagina can be smaller and less stretchy and also dryer. It means that accomodating penile penetration can cause skin fragility, fissuring and pain on penetration and during intercourse. Skin can become chronically irritated, creating a viscious cycle of painful sex leading to sexual aversion.
This can compromise sexual self confidence and can challenge relationships where a discordance of desires and enjoyment can evolve.
Over the past 20 years, some studies created fear among women of using hormone replacement medicines. This means a generation of women, being scared to use hormonal medicines have sufered vulva, vaginal and clitoral atrophy without turning to effective treatements. Thankfully with the evolution of times and the emergence of new therapies and new evidence, we now know that using vaginal oestrogen, either as a therapy or as an adjuvant is safe.
Ellechemy has created both hormonally supported and non-hormonal elegant daily vaginal moisturisers and lubricant formulations to help women age with grace and retain sexual functionality and enjoyment.
Our various product choices can be alternated to restore and replenish, stimulate and protect. Ellechemy client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive as more and more women discover the benefits our products can deliver for themselves.
A lesson for menopause, perimenopause with an aspiration for persistant sexual comfort: even if you have never chosen to enjoy the benefits of an intimate moisturiser or personal lubricant before, the natural skin changes that occur with the aging process now make using a great product essential.
Ellechemy has a philosophy and vision, taking a female centred perspective. Don’t be frightened of the changes that naturally occur with age. You can adapt your behaviour and practices to achieve continual comfort and enjoyment of sex.