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What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
Posted on
Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Answered on
Thu, 20 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I am 56 years old and went thru menapose over 9 years ago. I have had incressing dryness in my vagina. I thought is due to my age, but now I have these sores appear every month.
Is it possible that this is Herpes?
Is it possible that this is Herpes?
Brief Answer:
would need blood tests to determine
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Herpes lesions are generally associated with discomfort. In most persons the acute
infection starts off redness and discomfort in the area.
This is followed by the appearance of painful vesicles (small water filled lesions) which then open to form small ulcers.
This course can vary slightly from one person to the next so it is possible that the lesions that you are noticing are herpetic but this would need to be confirmed by investigations.
Blood tests can determine if herpes 2 (the type normally associated with genital infections) is present.
If blood tests do not show any evidence of herpes then the lesions are likely solely due to vaginal dryness and atrophy.
If this is the case then you may want to consider the use of estrogen creams and/or lubricants to reduce the dryness.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
would need blood tests to determine
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Herpes lesions are generally associated with discomfort. In most persons the acute
infection starts off redness and discomfort in the area.
This is followed by the appearance of painful vesicles (small water filled lesions) which then open to form small ulcers.
This course can vary slightly from one person to the next so it is possible that the lesions that you are noticing are herpetic but this would need to be confirmed by investigations.
Blood tests can determine if herpes 2 (the type normally associated with genital infections) is present.
If blood tests do not show any evidence of herpes then the lesions are likely solely due to vaginal dryness and atrophy.
If this is the case then you may want to consider the use of estrogen creams and/or lubricants to reduce the dryness.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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