Vaginal
Dryness is not just a problem associated with intimacy, but one that can interfere
with a woman's daily activities, affecting her sense of will-being and self-confidence.
Vaginal
Dryness affects many thousands of women, who needlessly accept it as a normal
part of the aging process.
Regardless
of age, over half of all women will experience vaginal dryness during their
lives. Although the problem is most common with the onset of menopause, over
a third of women between the ages of 18 and 29 will experience it.
Production of natural
vaginal lubricating fluids is regulated by the female hormone, estrogen. Anything
that adversely affects estrogen production will in turn result in an inadequate
supply of lubricating fluids. Symptoms can range from burning and/or itching
of the vaginal area to bleeding and pain during intercourse.
Hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) is sometimes used as a treatment or vaginal dryness and other
symptoms of menopause. It can take as long as 2 years before the full effect
of this treatment is realised. In the meantime, the use of a personal lubricant
is recommended along with HRT, a practice that may even be continued after
effective treatment has been achieved.
A lubricant or moisturiser
should be water-based and water-soluble. It should be slightly acidic to closely
match normal body fluids. This slight acidity inhibits the growth of certain
harmful micro-organisms, particularity yeast. Choose a product that is long-lasting
and free of scents and flavours that might irritate the sensitive genital
tissues. Finally, the personal lubricant you select should be easy to apply
and equally important, easy to remove with water.
Astroglide Personal
Lubricant® is the perfect choice. Its whisper-light formula is water-based,
water-soluble and "Second Only to Nature". Astroglide® acts
as a moisturiser when dryness is a problem and enhances the comfort and ease
of intimate activity. Astoglide's formula is petroleum-free, making it safe
to use with condoms.
