A New Look at the Older Vagina

Look at the underlying imbalances, not just the symptoms.”  Making clear that she was not in opposition to traditional medications, Carelse said that she encourages women to speak with their doctors and discuss the Native Remedies that they are using.  She did, however, express a concern with “menopause being viewed as an illness” and “medicalizing a normal process and part of a woman’s life.”

A change in the vaginal cell walls, coming from an imbalance, can lead to inflammation, contractions, and a predisposition to urinary tract infections.  Carelse elucidated that when pH levels have changed and there is dryness of the vaginal walls, it makes it easier for bacteria to enter those walls.  Rather than turn to estrogen, Native Remedies offers a “natural vaginal lubricant” (no parabens, sodium laurel sulphate, or petrochemicals) that features the ingredients of wild yam, essential oils, and aloe.

Dr. Michael Wald, Director of Nutritional Services at Integrated Medicine, suggested via e-mail a series of alternatives for those women who are concerned about using synthetic estrogens and progestins.  They included:

·      Various herbal combinations such as red raspberry leaf, which is a uterine tonic that helps increase blood flow to the uterus and vaginal tissues.

·      Vitamin A rich foods and vitamin A supplements, which can help vaginal atrophy.  Vitamin A is required for the production of the specialized cells that line the vagina.  No more than 15,000 IUs of vitamin A should be taken in

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• Sexual Health
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