You may not recognize it with your naked eye, but with age your vagina will change. Changes start after the 40's and all that can happen is found below.
Uterus can fall into your vagina
One of the changes that occur with age can be prolapse (fall of the uterus or rectum into the vagina), says Timothy Ryntz, an assistant professor of clinical gynecological and urogynecological interventions at Columbia University. For women with slight prolapse, exercises called Kegel can help. The duration of treatment depends on the patient's health, but one option is to have an additional medication used to treat infections and place them directly in the vagina. Another way is surgical intervention that can lead to hysterectomy (removal of the cervix and possibly even the cervix).
Your vagina may look older
With age, the skin loses elasticity and wrinkles increase. Something similar happens with the vagina. Consequently the decline of hormones as a result of aging implies a loss of elasticity in the vagina. This is known as vulvo-vaginal atrophy or VVR. The walls of the vagina become thinner and this can lead to dryness and redness. In this case Kegel exercises can't help but any other stimulation of this area, including sexual arousal, can do. Estrogen helps to keep skin healthy and supple. Your doctor may also recommend some type of vaginal drying cream or give you estrogen in the oral route.
The uterus and vagina may shrink
As a result of falling estrogen levels, the uterus may also change in size. "As a woman gets older, the uterus tends to shrink," says May Hsieh Blanchard, an assistant professor in the department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This makes sense not much later since you are breast-feeding your baby.
Similarly, vaginal access may shrink over the years. According to a Harvard Medical School report, this can cause drying, irritation and sometimes redness of the vaginal wall. Leaving it untreated can lead to painful intercourse and bloodshed. Needless to say, maintaining sexual activity can offset this narrowing. Estrogen treatments may also help.
You may not be able to control your bladder
Over time, muscles and ligaments can help the base of the pelvis to relax. In some cases, the urethra can move about the bladder and may cause unconscious leakage. In these cases solutions without surgery such as Kegel exercises and biofeedback (a monitor that will tell you when the muscles in the area are contracted) may be appropriate.
You may have more urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections can become more frequent as we age, says Dyeck, adding that an unknown or untreated urinary tract infection can develop systemic infections. This can lead to behavioral changes including confusion. Meanwhile, women may notice symptoms such as irritation, frequent urination, and burns, which are generally related to increased hormone levels and a lack of resilience without an actual infection. In this case estrogen therapy may be a possibility.
