Although it’s not as easy to talk about as hot flashes or night sweats, vaginal dryness is a very common issue faced by women during menopause and can put an unnecessary damper on a woman’s self-esteem and a couple’s intimacy.

Estrogen is the culprit. Low levels of this important hormone in menopausal women result in fewer cell layers lining the vagina. That means they produce less lubrication and make the vagina less pliable, causing discomfort, irritation, and pain during sex.

An international study of menopausal women, Vaginal Health: Insights, Views and Attitudes, found that 82 percent of respondents have experienced vaginal discomfort, particularly during sexual intimacy.  But almost 40 percent of those with symptoms did not discuss this matter with their doctor. There is a gap in women’s knowledge of their sexual health, making them less likely to seek treatment for their vaginal dryness. This is unfortunate because effective treatments options are available, and you should speak with your health care provider.

Judy Leblanc, a 46-year-old wife and mother based in Saint-Célestin, QC suffered with vaginal dryness discomfort for 15 years. Undergoing radiation to treat cervical cancer triggered her to go into menopause at age 30. “It made intimacy difficult,” she says. “It caused bleeding and pain. I just accepted the fact I was never going to have a normal sex life again.”

Her visit to a new doctor changed everything. “He told me there was a new product on the market that may work for my needs and to speak with my pharmacist, as it’s kept behind the pharmacy counter.”

Her doctor recommended RepaGyn®, a product that not only combats vaginal dryness but helps heal and repair damaged tissues. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid, a highly effective lubricating ingredient. Its molecules can hold more than 1,000 times their weight in water. Leblanc used it for a month before beginning to have sex again.

“It really does work!” she says. “It made me feel normal for the first time since my cancer treatment. I had tried so many things in the past — some very expensive, some lubricants that felt sticky, gooey, and didn’t last. Nothing was effective for me. My husband and I were happy that we found a good solution. We were like a young couple again!”