HELP! I think my vulva and clitoris have disappeared….
First - Don’t Panic- While it may feel as if you’ve disappeared ‘down there’ - all is not lost- really.
During peri and menopause, as a women’s natural estrogen production declines, the delicate tissue of the vulva and clitoral head both receive less estrogen too. This means that the tissue becomes less plump as the natural collagen stores decline and both clitoris and vulva become slightly smaller. In medical terms this is known as clitoral atrophy.
So what does clitorial and vulvar shrinkage mean for women?
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Increased sensitivity (and not the good kind). Women report more painful sex and many find even wearing jeans uncomfortable.
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Decreased sexual pleasure. As pain related sensitivity rises our libido naturally recedes too. After all, why would we want to have sex if it’s painful?
What Can I do about it?
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Vaginal estrogen While systemic (meaning topical estrogen gel/ cream/spray and oral progesterone etc) hormone therapy may play a small role in our vulvar tissue’s estrogen levels, for many it is not enough. Local topical estrogen cream or pessaries replace the estrogen directly to the area that needs it most. Vaginal estrogen cream applied to the vulva and clitoris helps replenish tissue elasticity, density and with that pleasure sensitivity.
Have More Sex & Consider Toys Orgasms naturally increase blood flow to the clitoris which in turn keeps the tissue there healthy. Playing with yourself or with a partner can help keep your body’s responses active and healthy. Feeling comfortable while having sex, or even thinking about having sex, are key factors to female libido.
