Relief for Vaginal Dryness While Breastfeeding: Naturopathic Doctor's Advice & Remedies
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As a naturopathic doctor and a mother, I understand the realities of the postpartum period, and one topic I want to address is vaginal dryness during breastfeeding. It's a significant challenge that can affect intimacy and, regrettably, can be a reason some women consider stopping breastfeeding. Having gone through this myself, I'm sharing my personal insights and effective remedies that helped me overcome vaginal dryness and maintain comfortable intimacy.
If you're new here and haven't set up a Fullscript account, I highly recommend doing so. You'll get 10% off your first order and direct access to all the recommended products I'll be mentioning in this blog post.
Understanding Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis, is a common condition characterized by a decrease in natural lubrication of the vagina. This lack of moisture can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:
Itching and Burning: The delicate tissues of the vagina can become irritated and inflamed due to the lack of lubrication, causing persistent itching and a burning sensation.
Pain or Discomfort During Intercourse (Dyspareunia): Without adequate lubrication, friction during sexual activity can cause significant pain, tearing of the vaginal tissues, and overall discomfort, potentially impacting intimacy.
Increased Risk of Vaginal Infections: Natural lubrication helps maintain a healthy vaginal pH and supports the beneficial bacteria that protect against infections. Dryness can disrupt this balance, making the vagina more susceptible to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Soreness and General Discomfort: Even without intercourse, the lack of moisture can lead to a persistent feeling of soreness, tightness, or general discomfort in the vaginal area.
Light Bleeding After Intercourse: The fragile, dry tissues are more prone to tearing or injury during sexual activity, which can result in light bleeding.
The underlying cause of vaginal dryness is often a drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the thickness, elasticity, and lubrication of the vaginal tissues. When estrogen levels decline, the vaginal lining becomes thinner, less elastic, and produces less moisture.
The Role of Hormonal Changes Throughout Life
It's a common misconception that vaginal dryness is solely a concern for women going through menopause or perimenopause. While the decline in estrogen during this life stage is a significant contributor, vaginal dryness can affect women of all ages due to various hormonal fluctuations and other factors.
Breastfeeding is a prime example of a life stage where women experience lower estrogen levels, leading to vaginal dryness. This can be a temporary but significant issue for many new mothers.
Want to learn more about a naturopath’s approach to breastfeeding and lactation? Consider reading this blog post.
Suppositories for Relief
Through my personal experience and clinical practice, I've found two types of suppositories to be particularly helpful for vaginal dryness associated with breastfeeding, as well as menopause and certain birth control.
Carlson Key-E® Vitamin E Suppositories
These suppositories from Carlson Labs offer a gentle and effective way to restore lubrication. Each insert delivers 30 IU of vitamin E in a soothing base of coconut and palm oils. Vitamin E is known for its moisturizing and healing properties, helping to lubricate and soothe the delicate vaginal tissues, providing relief from dryness and discomfort.
EP Ovals Plus Suppositories by Bezwecken
This is a unique formulation containing a low dose of DHEA (a precursor hormone to progesterone and estrogen) and estriol (a very weak form of estrogen). The beauty of this suppository is that while it contains a small amount of hormones that directly address the estrogen deficiency causing dryness, the low dose and local application in a suppository form mean you don't typically have to worry about it significantly impacting your nursing baby. This targeted hormonal support can be very effective in restoring vaginal moisture.
How to Use These Suppositories for Optimal Relief
For the initial month of use, I recommend alternating nightly between the Carlson Vitamin E suppository and the Bezwecken EPA Ovals Plus suppository. This allows for both the moisturizing benefits of Vitamin E and the gentle hormonal support from the Bezwecken product.
After the first month, for maintenance, you can reduce the frequency to one to two nights a week for each suppository. The frequency can also be adjusted based on your individual needs and how often you desire to be intimate. Some women find that once every other week of both suppositories is sufficient for maintenance.
If you are hesitant about using a product with hormones, you can certainly start with just the Vitamin E suppositories. However, I've personally found that the combination of both works exceptionally well for addressing vaginal dryness effectively.
Accessing These Recommended Products
For convenient and reliable access to the Carlson Key-E® Vitamin E Suppositories and Bezwecken EP Ovals Plus Suppositories, I recommend using Fullscript. Fullscript is a trusted online dispensary that partners directly with healthcare practitioners, such as myself, to provide patients with high-quality, professional-grade supplements and wellness products.
Quality Assurance
Fullscript ensures that the products available are authentic, properly stored, and of the highest quality. You can be confident that you are receiving genuine products from reputable manufacturers.
Convenience
You can easily browse and order these recommended suppositories, as well as other supplements I discuss, from the comfort of your own home, at any time.
Direct Access to My Recommendations
By setting up a Fullscript account, you gain direct access to my curated recommendations and protocols. This makes it simple to find and purchase the specific products I suggest.
Discount
As a Simplicity Health Associates patient, you'll automatically receive a 10% discount on your first supplement order through our Fullscript link, making these supportive products more accessible.
Wide Selection
Beyond these specific suppositories, Fullscript offers a vast array of other professional-grade supplements that may be beneficial for your overall health and well-being during and after breastfeeding.
Interested in learning more about Dr Ivy’s Recommended Supplement Protocol for Lactation Support? Click here.
Supporting Your Vaginal Health During Breastfeeding
Navigating the complexities of vaginal health can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you're seeking a holistic and individualized approach to support your vaginal health journey, I encourage you to book a consultation with either myself or Dr. Pauline Hoang. We can work together to create a comprehensive plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you achieve optimal balance and vitality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vaginal dryness common while breastfeeding?
Yes, vaginal dryness is a very common issue experienced by many women during breastfeeding due to the natural decrease in estrogen levels.
Are there other ways to manage vaginal dryness while breastfeeding?
Yes, in addition to suppositories, staying well-hydrated, using water-based lubricants during intercourse, and avoiding harsh soaps or douches can also help manage vaginal dryness.
When should I consult a naturopathic doctor about vaginal dryness?
If your vaginal dryness is severe, persistent, painful, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms like unusual discharge or bleeding, it's always best to consult with one of our naturopathic doctors for a proper diagnosis and personalized recommendations.
Can a naturopath help with breastfeeding?
Yes, a naturopath can offer guidance on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments to support breastfeeding and address common lactation issues.
Book An Appointment
If you're concerned about remaining healthy, or may suspect that there is an underlying health concern, our team at Simplicity Health Associates are dedicated to helping you navigate this journey through personalized, holistic treatment plans.
About Dr Ivy Branin
Dr Ivy Branin is a Naturopathic Doctor in NYC who received her degree in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biochemical engineering and a minor in French from Rutgers University. After graduating from Rutgers, she worked for 3 years as a process validation engineer in the pharmaceutical industry in New York and Connecticut.
As a naturopathic doctor in NYC, Dr Branin does not approach disease with a “one-size fits all” perspective but rather sees each patient as an individual with their own potential for optimal health. She supports people in their desire to feel good and good about themselves using the naturopathic principles of dietary and lifestyle management, homeopathy, visceral manipulation, botanical medicine, and craniosacral therapy.