Vaginal lips, how they change over the years

Above all, we must know that The vulva is covered with leather and the vagina mucosa, so the changes will be very different. In both cases, hormones exert an important influence over the years.

The vagina in childhood and adolescence

The vaginal mucosa during the childhood It has no estrogenic influence, that is, from the female hormones produced in the ovaries, estrogens. Is a thin and poorly lubricated mucosa, without flow and its pH is basic. With adolescence, estrogens begin to be produced in the ovaries that will cause changes in the vaginal mucosa. estrogens will stimulate a increased thickness of the mucosa, accompanied by a greater blood supply that will increase lubrication.

The thicker mucosa accumulates glucose, which will serve as food for the bacteria that will colonize it, the. This microbiota is basically made up of lactobacilli, which make lactic acid and will lower the pH of the vagina to acidic. These changes result in a more elastic, pink and lubricated vaginato. Some of the discharge also occurs in the cervix and descends through the vagina.

In menopause

In the estrogen production decreases and, therefore, the vaginal mucosa loses elasticity as collagen decreases. The blood flow decreases, so does the lubrication and this causes the mucosa to become thin and friable (with a tendency to crumble).

As a consequence of these changes, sexual intercourse becomes painful, and dryness produces frequent itching and changes in the vaginal microbiota favor the occurrence of infections, both vaginal and urine.

During postpartum

The production of estrogens is also decreased by the inhibition of the functioning of the ovaries and, therefore, are produced menopausal-like changes, with more painful intercourse due to lack of lubrication and lack of flow that can lead to vulvar itching. Taking it also reduces the production of estrogens in the ovaries by inhibiting their function and therefore can cause vaginal dryness, which recovers after stopping treatment.

The vulva: change in appearance

Over the years, there is also a change in the appearance of the vulva. It is a generalized process, but it can vary in each woman in the same way that the passage of time in the rest of the body has a different influence on each one.

In youth, the labia majora cover the minors and the tissues are toned. Over time the tissue darkens, loses smoothness and the labia minora stand out more. Subcutaneous fat also decreases and, therefore, the labia minora lose volume. The mons pubis or pubis also undergoes changes as subcutaneous fat decreases and is more flaccid.

Counteract the changes

To counteract these changes there are some treatments. In menopause, or in periods with low lubrication of the vagina, they can be used vaginal lubricants in sexual intercourse or vaginal and vulvar moisturizers to reduce the dryness that causes itching.

If this is not enough, they can be administered estrogen drugs that increase the amount of estrogen in the vagina and, therefore, increase the thickness of the vaginal mucosa giving it more resistance and elasticity. They also increase the production of vaginal discharge and, consequently, decrease dyspareunia, pain with relationships, and produce changes in vaginal microbiota so that they protect against urinary and vaginal infection.

These estrogens can be administered locally, in vaginal cream, vaginal tablet or in ovules and can also be administered systemically, throughout the body, in these cases its route of administration being oral tablets or patches.

Systemic treatments, in addition to a vaginal effect, have an effect on annoying hot flashes, protection at the bone level ...

Aesthetic treatments?

The vagina and vulvar area may also undergo cosmetic treatments to improve your appearance.

• A hyaluronic acid infiltration at the entrance to the vagina and the vulvar fork. This hyaluronic acid retains water and therefore gives more hydration to the skin and the mucosa. This treatment usually lasts a year or so and then it has to be repeated to obtain the expected results.
• It can also be used for aesthetic filling of labia majora. By losing part of their fat and, therefore, their volume, the labia majora appear more flaccid and by filling them with hyaluronic acid they regain smoothness and better cover the labia minora. It is also possible to perform a lip filling with fat infiltrations from the same patient.
• In addition, surgical treatments can be performed, such as labiaplasty, which consists of reducing the size of the labia minora, or a lifting of the labia majora and pubis.
• Currently the laser and radio frequency in treatments of the vaginal atrophy and of the discomfort, especially in menopause but the publication of more studies that support their results is lacking.

• In the menopause and postpartum estrogen production decreases and, therefore, the vaginal mucosa loses elasticity as collagen decreases, which translates into vaginal dryness, itching, pain in relationships ...
• The use of lubricants or moisturizers vaginal, or taking estrogens can help alleviate these effects.
• In addition to treatment to counteract discomfort, the vagina and lower back can undergo cosmetic treatments to improve their appearance.

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