How can you fix Anxiety and vaginal atrophy?
Let’s talk about it.
There is a relationship between anxiety and vaginal atrophy.
Both are due to low hormone levels. Low estrogen can cause vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy means the tissues become very thin and dry. Intercourse becomes painful. You have to urinate frequently and are prone to UTIs and vaginitis.
Vaginal atrophy would make any woman anxious.
Anxiety can be instigated by low levels of hormones too. Estrogen helps induce serotonin production while progesterone helps to induce calming GABA. So beginning in perimenopause, your progesterone levels are plummeting increasing anxiety, and by menopause your estrogen levels have plummeted contributing to even more anxiety.
So how can you fix vaginal atrophy and anxiety?
Well, truly, making sure that your hormone levels are balanced is key.
For vaginal atrophy, I recommend topical application of vaginal estrogen, particularly estriol which is very effective in improving vaginal health quickly.
For anxiety, be sure your hormones are in balance. You may need to take bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with estradiol and progesterone in order to calm down your anxiety.
Gen-Pro™
I have found in perimenopausal and menopausal women with higher levels of native estrogen, taking Gen-Pro™ transdermal micronized progesterone can help tremendously. Women who have excess body fat entering menopause, or have been estrogen-dominant in their pre-menopausal years, can often be maintained with just progesterone.
I recommend Gen-Pro™ at 50 milligrams twice daily to mitigate anxiety symptoms and help to upregulate estrogen receptors to help increase serotonin production. Progesterone also helps to elevate GABA levels which helps to calm your central nervous system and reduce anxiety very similar to benzodiazepines, except without the addictive effect.
Genesis Gold®
And then of course, supporting your hypothalamus nutraceutically with Genesis Gold® helps to balance your hormones naturally, support adrenal production of steroids, and reduce anxiety by increasing neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin.
If you have questions, please join us in our Hormone Reboot Training.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy is the thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal tissues that occurs when estrogen levels decline, most commonly during and after menopause. As the tissue becomes thinner and less elastic, it can cause dryness, irritation, painful intercourse, more frequent urination, and a higher risk of urinary tract infections and vaginitis. It's part of what's now often called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and it's very treatable with the help of a provider.
What are the symptoms of vaginal atrophy?
Common symptoms include vaginal dryness, thinning and loss of elasticity in the tissue, itching or burning, discomfort or pain during intercourse, and urinary symptoms like urgency, frequency, and recurrent urinary tract infections. These symptoms tend to develop gradually as estrogen declines in menopause. Because they can significantly affect comfort and quality of life, and overlap with other conditions, they're worth discussing openly with a healthcare provider.
What causes vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy is caused primarily by declining estrogen. Estrogen keeps vaginal tissue thick, elastic, well-lubricated, and well-supplied with blood. When estrogen falls — during perimenopause and menopause, after certain cancer treatments, or with some medications — the tissue thins and dries out. Because the underlying driver is hormonal, atrophy often appears alongside other menopause symptoms. A provider can confirm the cause and discuss appropriate options.
How is vaginal atrophy treated?
Options range from non-hormonal to hormonal. Non-hormonal approaches include vaginal moisturizers used regularly and lubricants for intercourse, along with staying sexually active to maintain blood flow. When more is needed, providers may recommend local vaginal estrogen, which delivers estrogen directly to the tissue with minimal absorption elsewhere. The right approach depends on your symptoms and health history, so it's a conversation to have with your healthcare provider.
Is there a connection between menopause and anxiety?
Yes. Hormones influence mood chemistry, so their decline in menopause can contribute to anxiety. Estrogen helps support serotonin production, and progesterone supports GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. In perimenopause, progesterone often drops first, which can increase anxiety, and by menopause declining estrogen can add to it. If anxiety is persistent or interfering with your life, it's important to reach out to a healthcare or mental health professional for evaluation and support.
0 Comments