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What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

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Posted on Thu, 20 Nov 2014
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?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (59 minutes later)
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
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

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