Episode 22 - Vaginal Changes During Menopause and Treatment Options

In this episode, we have Dana Wicker, who we already had on the podcast in the episode where we talked about libido. This time, we will be discussing vaginal changes, specifically vaginal dryness, urinary leakage and urgency, UTI, and pain with sex, during menopause and the treatment options you can choose from. 

The information from this episode isn’t strictly for those who are in menopause. You can most definitely use the tips from this episode at any time of your life where you have low estrogen. 

Give this episode a listen so you can find resources outside of pelvic floor physical therapy! 

Let’s talk about:  

• Introduction to today’s guest
• Introduction to today’s topic
• Discussion on vaginal dryness: Its causes and why is it more prominent during menopause
• Vaginal Dryness treatment: E-String – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the cost
• Vaginal Dryness treatment: Creams – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the cost
• Vaginal Dryness treatment: The Mona Lisa Procedure – What it is, how it works, the pros and cons of this treatment, and the cost
• The importance of knowing what treatment works best for you and what are the emotional costs to you of each treatment
• The non-hormonal options and treatments for vaginal dryness 
• Treatments for vaginal dryness for cancer patients or post chemotherapy patients
• The other option to treat vaginal dryness: Using lubricants
• Discussion and looking into leakage and urgency, and the medications and treatments that Dana and her team usually prescribe
• Discussion on other treatments for leaking: Urethral bulking, pessaries, estrogen, and other treatments
• UTI in the older population, how it’s often overlooked as a symptom of underlying conditions, and the stigma with sex in older population
• Discussion on pain with sex and the change in sensation: Possible causes and treatments
• Discussion on pH level: Symptoms and treatments and discussion on vaginal hygiene
• Conclusion

If you want to know more about Dana and the work she does, follow her on Instagram.

If you have any other questions or topics you want to talk about, send me a message on Instagram. And if you loved this episode, please leave me a rating and a comment with your feedback. Please share this with your friends and loved ones, too!

I also have a free resource for you if you're struggling with bladder urgency: https://resilient-rx.com/bladderdiary/

I’ll see you in two weeks!