Full Transcript Understanding Vaginal Dryness 0:01 If you're over 40 and 0:01 If you're over 40 and experiencing 0:01 experiencing 0:01 experiencing vaginal dryness, 0:03 vaginal dryness, 0:03 vaginal dryness, discomfort, or 0:04 discomfort, or 0:04 discomfort, or pain, and the only advice 0:05 pain, and the only advice 0:05 pain, and the only advice you've heard is to 0:06 you've heard is to 0:06 you've heard is to use 0:07 use 0:07 use lubricant, you've been 0:08 lubricant, you've been 0:08 lubricant, you've been seriously misled. 0:09 seriously misled. 0:09 seriously misled. Lubricant is the 0:10 Lubricant is the 0:10 Lubricant is the least you 0:11 least you 0:11 least you can do, and it 0:12 can do, and it 0:12 can do, and it doesn't solve the 0:13 doesn't solve the 0:13 doesn't solve the problem itself. So in this 0:14 problem itself. So in this 0:15 problem itself. So in this video, I'll talk about 0:16 video, I'll talk about 0:16 video, I'll talk about three effective 0:17 three effective 0:17 three effective treatments that 0:18 treatments that 0:18 treatments that doctors 0:19 doctors 0:19 doctors rarely mention, why you're never 0:20 rarely mention, why you're never 0:20 rarely mention, why you're never too 0:21 too 0:21 too young for therapy, and 0:22 young for therapy, and 0:22 young for therapy, and why 0:23 why 0:23 why things won't 0:24 things won't 0:24 things won't get better without proper attention. I'm 0:25 get better without proper attention. I'm Dr. Jen, an obstetrician- 0:26 Dr. Jen, an obstetrician- gynecologist and 0:27 gynecologist and 0:28 integrative 0:28 integrative medicine specialist, and I want to make something clear 0:29 medicine specialist, and I want to make something clear 0:32 . It's not just about 0:32 . It's not just about sex, and you're not too 0:33 sex, and you're not too 0:33 sex, and you're not too young. What you 0:34 young. What you 0:34 young. What you are feeling has a name 0:36 are feeling has a name . This is called 0:37 . This is called 0:37 . This is called genitourinary 0:38 genitourinary 0:38 genitourinary menopausal 0:38 menopausal 0:38 menopausal syndrome. And this is the 0:40 syndrome. And this is the 0:40 syndrome. And this is the main difference 0:41 main difference 0:41 main difference from other symptoms. 0:42 from other symptoms. 0:42 from other symptoms. Hot flashes 0:43 Hot flashes 0:43 Hot flashes go away over time, and this condition,
Why Hormone Changes Can Affect Vaginal Health 0:45 go away over time, and this condition, 0:45 go away over time, and this condition, if ignored, 0:46 if ignored, 0:46 if ignored, usually 0:47 usually 0:47 usually gets worse. The good 0:48 gets worse. The good 0:48 gets worse. The good news is that it is 0:49 news is that it is 0:49 news is that it is treatable with 0:50 treatable with 0:50 treatable with much better 0:51 much better 0:51 much better remedies than just 0:52 remedies than just 0:53 remedies than just lubricants or 0:53 lubricants or 0:56 over-the-counter medications. The first 0:56 over-the-counter medications. The first treatment method is something that 0:57 treatment method is something that 0:59 almost everyone gets wrong 0:59 almost everyone gets wrong , because they confuse two 1:00 , because they confuse two 1:00 , because they confuse two things: lubricants and 1:01 things: lubricants and 1:01 things: lubricants and vaginal 1:02 vaginal 1:02 vaginal moisturizers. 1:03 moisturizers. 1:03 moisturizers. Lubricant 1:03 Lubricant 1:04 Lubricant is used 1:04 is used 1:04 is used directly 1:05 directly 1:05 directly during sex to 1:06 during sex to 1:06 during sex to reduce friction. It is 1:07 reduce friction. It is 1:07 reduce friction. It is useful, but it is a 1:08 useful, but it is a 1:08 useful, but it is a temporary solution and has to be 1:09 temporary solution and has to be 1:11 applied again 1:11 applied again and again. It does not 1:12 and again. It does not 1:12 and again. It does not affect the 1:13 affect the 1:13 affect the tissues themselves in any way. Vaginal 1:14 tissues themselves in any way. Vaginal 1:14 tissues themselves in any way. Vaginal moisturizer is a 1:15 moisturizer is a 1:15 moisturizer is a completely different thing. You 1:16 completely different thing. You 1:16 completely different thing. You can 1:16 can 1:16 can use it 1:17 use it 1:17 use it regularly, every 1:18 regularly, every 1:18 regularly, every few days, or every day 1:19 few days, or every day , regardless of 1:20 , regardless of 1:20 , regardless of whether you plan to have sex. 1:21 whether you plan to have sex. 1:21 whether you plan to have sex. It is actually 1:22 It is actually 1:22 It is actually absorbed and 1:23 absorbed and 1:23 absorbed and restores 1:24 restores 1:24 restores tissue hydration over time. Look for a 1:25 tissue hydration over time. Look for a 1:25 tissue hydration over time. Look for a vaginal 1:26 vaginal 1:26 vaginal moisturizer based on 1:27 moisturizer based on 1:27 moisturizer based on hyaluronic acid 1:28 hyaluronic acid —the same 1:29 —the same 1:29 —the same ingredient 1:29 ingredient 1:29 ingredient used in 1:30 used in 1:30 used in skin care. 1:31 skin care. 1:31 skin care. Because it attracts 1:33 Because it attracts 1:33 Because it attracts moisture and holds it in the 1:34 moisture and holds it in the 1:34 moisture and holds it in the tissues. It does not
Common Symptoms You Shouldnu2019t Ignore 1:35 tissues. It does not 1:35 tissues. It does not contain hormones, 1:36 contain hormones, 1:36 contain hormones, is available over 1:37 is available over 1:37 is available over the counter, and most 1:38 the counter, and most 1:39 the counter, and most women 1:39 women 1:39 women have never been told the difference. 1:41 have never been told the difference. 1:41 have never been told the difference. You don't need a 1:42 You don't need a 1:42 You don't need a prescription to 1:42 prescription to 1:42 prescription to buy it. If 1:44 buy it. If 1:44 buy it. If you previously only 1:44 you previously only 1:44 you previously only used 1:45 used 1:45 used lubricant during 1:46 lubricant during 1:46 lubricant during sex, switching to a 1:47 sex, switching to a 1:47 sex, switching to a regular 1:47 regular 1:47 regular moisturizer will help 1:48 moisturizer will help 1:48 moisturizer will help get rid of daily 1:49 get rid of daily 1:49 get rid of daily discomfort and 1:50 discomfort and 1:50 discomfort and improve the situation 1:51 improve the situation 1:51 improve the situation even during 1:52 even during 1:52 even during intimacy. 1:53 intimacy. 1:53 intimacy. The second 1:53 The second 1:53 The second treatment method is the “ 1:54 treatment method is the “ gold standard” 1:55 gold standard” 1:55 gold standard” that almost no one 1:56 that almost no one 1:56 that almost no one offers to women over 40: 1:57 offers to women over 40: 1:58 offers to women over 40: low-dose 1:58 low-dose 1:58 low-dose vaginal estrogen 2:00 vaginal estrogen . This is 2:01 . This is 2:01 . This is life-changing. This is a 2:02 life-changing. This is a 2:02 life-changing. This is a small amount of 2:03 small amount of 2:03 small amount of estrogen that is 2:04 estrogen that is 2:04 estrogen that is inserted 2:04 inserted 2:04 inserted directly into the 2:05 directly into the 2:05 directly into the vagina. It can be a 2:07 vagina. It can be a 2:07 vagina. It can be a cream, pill, or 2:08 cream, pill, or 2:08 cream, pill, or ring, and 2:09 ring, and 2:09 ring, and unlike a moisturizer, this 2:11 unlike a moisturizer, this 2:11 unlike a moisturizer, this remedy addresses the very 2:12 remedy addresses the very 2:12 remedy addresses the very cause of 2:13 cause of 2:13 cause of tissue degradation—low 2:14 tissue degradation—low 2:14 tissue degradation—low estrogen levels. It's 2:15 estrogen levels. It's 2:15 estrogen levels. It's effective for 2:16 effective for 2:16 effective for vaginal dryness 2:17 vaginal dryness 2:17 vaginal dryness and painful sex, and 2:18 and painful sex, and 2:18 and painful sex, and here's something 2:19 here's something 2:19 here's something most women don't 2:20 most women don't 2:20 most women don't know about. It also 2:21 know about. It also 2:21 know about. It also helps with 2:21 helps with 2:21 helps with recurrent 2:22 recurrent 2:22 recurrent 2:24 urinary tract infections 2:24 urinary tract infections and that constant
What Happens During Menopause 2:25 and that constant 2:25 and that constant feeling of "gotta 2:26 feeling of "gotta 2:26 feeling of "gotta run, gotta run" 2:27 run, gotta run" 2:27 run, gotta run" because the tissue lining the 2:28 because the tissue lining the 2:30 bladder is the same as the 2:30 bladder is the same as the tissue lining the 2:31 tissue lining the 2:31 tissue lining the vagina. Because the dose is 2:32 vagina. Because the dose is 2:32 vagina. Because the dose is very low and acts 2:33 very low and acts 2:33 very low and acts locally, it is 2:33 locally, it is 2:33 locally, it is considered safe 2:34 considered safe 2:34 considered safe for the vast 2:35 for the vast 2:35 for the vast majority of women, and 2:36 majority of women, and 2:36 majority of women, and you don't have to 2:36 you don't have to 2:36 you don't have to wait until you 2:37 wait until you 2:37 wait until you actually enter 2:38 actually enter 2:38 actually enter menopause. You 2:38 menopause. You 2:38 menopause. You can actually 2:39 can actually 2:39 can actually use this in 2:40 use this in 2:40 use this in your 20s, in your 30s, 2:41 your 20s, in your 30s, 2:41 your 20s, in your 30s, if necessary. 2:42 if necessary. 2:42 if necessary. If you have symptoms 2:43 If you have symptoms 2:43 If you have symptoms now, this is always an 2:44 now, this is always an 2:44 now, this is always an option to consider, 2:45 option to consider, 2:45 option to consider, regardless of age. The 2:46 regardless of age. The 2:47 regardless of age. The third 2:47 third 2:47 third treatment method is one that 2:48 treatment method is one that 2:48 treatment method is one that almost no one has 2:50 almost no one has 2:50 almost no one has heard of: vaginal 2:51 heard of: vaginal 2:51 heard of: vaginal DHEA, also known 2:52 DHEA, also known 2:52 DHEA, also known as prasterone. It's a 2:53 as prasterone. It's a 2:53 as prasterone. It's a small 2:54 small 2:54 small prescription suppository, and what makes it 2:55 prescription suppository, and what makes it 2:55 prescription suppository, and what makes it special is 2:56 special is 2:56 special is that your own 2:57 that your own 2:57 that your own tissues convert 2:58 tissues convert 2:58 tissues convert it into estrogen. So 2:59 it into estrogen. So 2:59 it into estrogen. So it can be 3:00 it can be 3:00 it can be converted 3:01 converted 3:01 converted into either estrogen or 3:02 into either estrogen or 3:02 into either estrogen or testosterone, depending 3:03 testosterone, depending 3:03 testosterone, depending on what the 3:04 on what the 3:04 on what the tissues need. It is 3:04 tissues need. It is 3:05 tissues need. It is FDA-approved for 3:05 FDA-approved for 3:05 FDA-approved for the treatment of pain 3:07 the treatment of pain 3:07 the treatment of pain during sex due to 3:08 during sex due to 3:08 during sex due to menopause, and it is a 3:08 menopause, and it is a 3:09 menopause, and it is a great option for 3:10 great option for 3:10 great option for women who experience 3:11 women who experience 3:11 women who experience vaginal burning, 3:12 vaginal burning, 3:12 vaginal burning, irritation, and 3:13 irritation, and 3:13 irritation, and dryness. It is an 3:14 dryness. It is an 3:14 dryness. It is an alternative to 3:15 alternative to 3:15 alternative to estrogen and can be 3:16 estrogen and can be 3:16 estrogen and can be used in 3:17 used in 3:17 used in much the same way as 3:18 much the same way as 3:18 much the same way as topical 3:19 topical 3:19 topical testosterone. The fact
Treatment & Relief Options 3:20 testosterone. The fact that so many women have 3:21 that so many women have 3:21 that so many women have never heard of 3:22 never heard of 3:22 never heard of this option is exactly the 3:23 this option is exactly the 3:23 this option is exactly the problem 3:24 problem 3:24 problem 3:25 this video is trying to fix. 3:25 this video is trying to fix. Now, if you 3:26 Now, if you 3:26 Now, if you don't want to 3:27 don't want to 3:27 don't want to use 3:28 use 3:28 use anything vaginally at all, 3:29 anything vaginally at all, 3:29 anything vaginally at all, there's an option for you too. 3:30 there's an option for you too. 3:30 there's an option for you too. This is also a highly 3:31 This is also a highly 3:31 This is also a highly advertised 3:32 advertised 3:32 advertised treatment that I 3:33 treatment that I 3:33 treatment that I want you to be 3:33 want you to be 3:33 want you to be careful about 3:34 careful about 3:34 careful about before spending 3:35 before spending 3:35 before spending a lot of money on it. 3:36 a lot of money on it. 3:36 a lot of money on it. I will talk about both 3:37 I will talk about both 3:37 I will talk about both options, as well as what 3:38 options, as well as what 3:38 options, as well as what exactly to tell 3:39 exactly to tell 3:39 exactly to tell the doctor to get the 3:40 the doctor to get the 3:40 the doctor to get the right treatment. 3:41 right treatment. 3:41 right treatment. Stay with me, 3:42 Stay with me, 3:42 Stay with me, because this is the part that 3:43 because this is the part that 3:43 because this is the part that protects you. First, the 3:44 protects you. First, the 3:44 protects you. First, the bonus option. 3:46 bonus option. 3:46 bonus option. If you don't 3:47 If you don't 3:47 If you don't want 3:47 want 3:47 want to use 3:48 to use 3:48 to use anything vaginally at all, 3:49 anything vaginally at all, 3:49 anything vaginally at all, there is a prescription 3:50 there is a prescription 3:50 there is a prescription pill called 3:51 pill called 3:51 pill called Ospena that treats 3:52 Ospena that treats 3:52 Ospena that treats painful sex and 3:53 painful sex and 3:53 painful sex and dryness during 3:54 dryness during 3:54 dryness during menopause without being an 3:55 menopause without being an 3:55 menopause without being an estrogen and without 3:56 estrogen and without 3:56 estrogen and without being applied to the 3:57 being applied to the 3:57 being applied to the vagina. This is truly an 3:58 vagina. This is truly an 3:58 vagina. This is truly an oral medication 3:59 oral medication . This is a real 4:00 . This is a real 4:03 FDA-approved drug. Now, 4:03 FDA-approved drug. Now, about the method 4:04 about the method 4:04 about the method you've probably 4:05 you've probably 4:05 you've probably seen advertised— 4:06 seen advertised— 4:06 seen advertised— vaginal laser 4:07 vaginal laser 4:07 vaginal laser or energy 4:08 or energy 4:08 or energy treatments that 4:09 treatments that 4:09 treatments that promise 4:10 promise 4:10 promise tissue rejuvenation. I'm not saying 4:11 tissue rejuvenation. I'm not saying 4:11 tissue rejuvenation. I'm not saying never 4:11 never 4:11 never use 4:12 use 4:12 use vaginal lasers. I'm 4:13 vaginal lasers. I'm 4:13 vaginal lasers. I'm saying that at this 4:14 saying that at this 4:14 saying that at this point you have to 4:15 point you have to 4:15 point you have to make sure that 4:16 make sure that 4:16 make sure that the tissue is actually 4:17 the tissue is actually 4:17 the tissue is actually healthy. So, 4:18 healthy. So, 4:18 healthy. So, using 4:19 using 4:19 using estrogen or DHEA 4:19 estrogen or DHEA 4:20 estrogen or DHEA to improve 4:21 to improve 4:21 to improve tissue condition will make 4:21 tissue condition will make 4:21 tissue condition will make vaginal lasers 4:22 vaginal lasers 4:22 vaginal lasers work better. They are 4:24 work better. They are 4:24 work better. They are only for rejuvenation, 4:25 only for rejuvenation, 4:25 only for rejuvenation, but they do not actually 4:26 but they do not actually 4:26 but they do not actually reverse 4:27 reverse 4:27 reverse tissue aging. So just 4:28 tissue aging. So just 4:28 tissue aging. So just be 4:28 be 4:28 be careful before 4:29 careful before 4:29 careful before jumping on the bright
What You Can Do Today 4:30 jumping on the bright 4:30 jumping on the bright advertising bandwagon. As with other 4:31 advertising bandwagon. As with other 4:31 advertising bandwagon. As with other marketing 4:32 marketing 4:32 marketing campaigns, you just 4:33 campaigns, you just 4:33 campaigns, you just want to make sure you 4:34 want to make sure you 4:34 want to make sure you have all the 4:35 have all the 4:35 have all the information before you 4:36 information before you 4:36 information before you jump into 4:37 jump into 4:37 jump into treatment. Okay. So, 4:38 treatment. Okay. So, 4:38 treatment. Okay. So, here is the text for your 4:39 here is the text for your 4:39 here is the text for your doctor. "I have 4:40 doctor. "I have 4:40 doctor. "I have vaginal dryness and 4:41 vaginal dryness and 4:41 vaginal dryness and discomfort and I want 4:42 discomfort and I want 4:42 discomfort and I want to discuss options with you 4:43 to discuss options with you 4:43 to discuss options with you besides 4:44 besides 4:44 besides regular 4:45 regular 4:45 regular lubricant. Can 4:46 lubricant. Can 4:46 lubricant. Can we discuss 4:47 we discuss 4:47 we discuss regular 4:48 regular 4:48 regular vaginal 4:48 vaginal 4:48 vaginal moisturizer or 4:49 moisturizer or 4:52 low-dose vaginal estrogen or 4:52 low-dose vaginal estrogen or DHEA?" This sentence 4:53 DHEA?" This sentence 4:53 DHEA?" This sentence opens a dialogue 4:54 opens a dialogue 4:54 opens a dialogue that you can 4:54 that you can 4:54 that you can have with your 4:55 have with your 4:55 have with your doctor to 4:56 doctor to 4:56 doctor to find out what 4:57 find out what 4:57 find out what treatment options 4:58 treatment options 4:58 treatment options he is willing to 4:59 he is willing to 4:59 he is willing to prescribe for you. At home, you 5:00 prescribe for you. At home, you 5:00 prescribe for you. At home, you can also 5:00 can also 5:00 can also use a 5:01 use a 5:01 use a mild soap for 5:02 mild soap for 5:02 mild soap for your vulva and avoid 5:03 your vulva and avoid 5:03 your vulva and avoid harsh soaps and 5:04 harsh soaps and 5:04 harsh soaps and scented 5:05 scented 5:05 scented products, as these will 5:06 products, as these will 5:06 products, as these will increase irritation. 5:07 increase irritation. 5:07 increase irritation. If you are experiencing 5:08 If you are experiencing 5:08 If you are experiencing pain, I strongly 5:09 pain, I strongly 5:09 pain, I strongly recommend seeing a 5:10 recommend seeing a 5:12 pelvic floor therapist. They are 5:12 pelvic floor therapist. They are excellent specialists, 5:13 excellent specialists, 5:13 excellent specialists, will help you 5:14 will help you 5:14 will help you identify the source of your 5:15 identify the source of your 5:15 identify the source of your pain, and can 5:16 pain, and can 5:16 pain, and can assist with 5:17 assist with 5:17 assist with pelvic 5:18 pelvic 5:18 pelvic floor physical therapy. The sooner the 5:19 floor physical therapy. The sooner the 5:19 floor physical therapy. The sooner the better, as this will 5:20 better, as this will 5:20 better, as this will generally help 5:21 generally help 5:21 generally help reduce pain during 5:22 reduce pain during 5:22 reduce pain during sex. So if you 5:23 sex. So if you 5:23 sex. So if you take one thing 5:24 take one thing 5:24 take one thing from this video: you're
Key Takeaways 5:25 from this video: you're 5:25 from this video: you're not too young, it 5:26 not too young, it 5:26 not too young, it won't go away on its own 5:27 won't go away on its own 5:27 won't go away on its own , and lube 5:28 , and lube isn't the only option. 5:29 isn't the only option. 5:29 isn't the only option. Start with a 5:30 Start with a 5:30 Start with a regular over- 5:30 regular over- 5:30 regular over- 5:34 the-counter vaginal moisturizer and ask 5:34 the-counter vaginal moisturizer and ask your doctor about 5:34 your doctor about 5:36 low-dose vaginal estrogen and 5:36 low-dose vaginal estrogen and DHEA; It's best 5:37 DHEA; It's best 5:37 DHEA; It's best to treat it sooner rather than 5:38 to treat it sooner rather than 5:38 to treat it sooner rather than later. This is your 5:39 later. This is your 5:39 later. This is your comfort, your 5:39 comfort, your 5:40 comfort, your intimacy, and your 5:40 intimacy, and your 5:40 intimacy, and your 5:41 urinary tract health, 5:41 urinary tract health, and you deserve 5:42 and you deserve 5:42 and you deserve real options, 5:43 real options, 5:43 real options, not excuses. When 5:44 not excuses. When 5:44 not excuses. When comfort returns 5:45 comfort returns , many women 5:46 , many women 5:46 , many women notice that the main 5:47 notice that the main 5:47 notice that the main change is the 5:48 change is the 5:48 change is the return of desire, and 5:49 return of desire, and 5:49 return of desire, and that's another conversation 5:50 that's another conversation 5:50 that's another conversation with its own methods of 5:51 with its own methods of 5:51 with its own methods of resolution. In the 5:52 resolution. In the 5:52 resolution. In the next video, I'll 5:53 next video, I'll 5:53 next video, I'll talk about what to do 5:54 talk about what to do 5:54 talk about what to do about low sex 5:55 about low sex 5:55 about low sex drive during 5:55 drive during 5:55 drive during perimenopause and 5:56 perimenopause and 5:56 perimenopause and post it right 5:57 post it right 5:57 post it right here. Check it out 5:58 here. Check it out , and I'll see you later.
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