Ladies: What Happens To Your Vagina As You Age?

 Do you know that as you get older or after childbirth your vagina will change? Yes, it will, and it’s such a shocking knowledge.

Most Women now know that examining their private parts will give them an early hint if there’s something amiss.You need to know what can happen to your vagina, what’s normal and what’s not.

Firstly, you need to know that there are different vagina for different people, just like everyone has different body shape, eye colour and different taste. There’s a big difference in vaginas and vulvas, regardless of age.

With time, your vagina may tend to lose it’s thickness and the colour may change from pink to a darker shade.
Add the passage of time into the mix, though, and certain changes tend to be more universal. The clitoris can shrink, the labia might become loose and some tissues may shrink. Also, the entrance to the urethra may pout a little bit and look a bit more fleshy.

The flesh becomes a little saggy and the skin around it becomes thinner and not as elastic as it used to be. And surprisingly, the hair of your private part will also become grey as the hair on your head becomes grey.
From puberty to menopause

The vagina and vulva will be the same through the years from puberty to menopause but two things can change that; childbirth and breastfeeding.

When you give birth to a baby, it will change a lot of things about your vagina, especially if you had tears or episiotomy which may affect the appearance and function of the vagina and vulva at the long run. This depends on how well the tissue is put back together.

Although the vagina might return to normal, after giving birth, the tissues holding the vaginal structures in place can be damaged, this may eventually lead to the prolapse of the vagina walls.

This may result in bladder and bowel function problems, such as urine or faecal leakage, and a lump may protrude from the vagina. If you notice any lump protruding from the vagina, see your doctor, a surgery might be necessary.

Meanwhile, breastfeeding doesn’t directly affect your vagina, but the low level of oestrogen which accompanies it can delay the vagina’s recovery after pregnancy and childbirth. But once you stop breastfeeding your vagina and vulva goes back to normal


Keep having sex

When women enter menopause, the big changes to the vagina start. The drop in oestrogen causes the vagina to be dry and tight, which can be a big problem in the bedroom.

Use a water-based lubricant to lubricate while having sex, and there are medications that can help in making sex more enjoyable for you.

But consistently having sex is advised. As the penis will help in stretching the tissues and help stop it from overtightening.

When to contact your doctor

Not all women will experience any problem as a result of these changes to their vagina and vulva, and medications such as vaginal moisturisers and lubricants can be bought over the counter.

Although if you experience these symptoms coupled with serious discomfort, you may be suffering from a condition known as vulvovaginal atrophy.

Do not suffer in silence, if you’re experiencing discomfort during sex or along ith other symptoms, talk to your doctor who will provide you with treatments such as oestrogen replacement or vaginal laser) available that can provide relief.