The applications of the hyaluronic acid go beyond facial cosmetics and aesthetic medicine. It is also used to treat some disorders related to the genitourinary syndrome in menopause. In particular, vaginal dryness or tightness that makes sexual relations difficult, sometimes making them very painful.
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It’s not a modern invention: your body makes it too
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally found in our bodies, especially in the skin and connective tissue. It has the capacity to retain large amounts of water, which helps keep the skin hydrated and with a softer and smoother appearance.
However, with aging and menopause, levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin also decrease. We notice it early on the face, where the skin becomes drier. And discomfort in the genitourinary area also increases.
Creams and much more
According to studies, topical hyaluronic acid products and fillers can be beneficial for women in menopause due to their hydrating and firming properties for the skin.
In addition, dermal filler treatments with hyaluronic acid can be used to restore the lost volume in certain areas of the face and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
There are several formats to apply this active ingredient to our skin:
- Topical creams and serums. With hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient. They can be applied directly to the skin to provide hydration and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are used on the face, the neck, and other areas that need extra hydration.
- Facial masks. Impregnated with hyaluronic acid. They are applied to the skin for a set period of time and then removed to leave the skin softer and fresher.
- Dermal filler treatments. Dermal filler treatments with hyaluronic acid are medical procedures performed by professionals in aesthetic medicine. In these treatments, hyaluronic acid is injected under the skin to restore the lost volume and improve the appearance of areas such as the cheeks, lips and nasolabial folds.
- Oral supplements. In addition to topical applications and medical treatments, some women may opt to take oral hyaluronic acid supplements. These supplements can help maintain skin hydration from the inside out. Their effectiveness may vary and it is recommended to consult with a health professional before taking any supplement.
The mucous membranes also need care
Hyaluronic acid is responsible for the hydration and smoothness of the genital mucosa. The fall in collagen and hydration levels during menopause triggers the uncomfortable symptoms of vaginal dryness and discomfort.
“During menopause, the drop in sex hormones, such as estrogens, among others, causes a natural thinning of the genitourinary mucosa. Although it is a natural process, we call it the genitourinary syndrome because it can be associated with discomfort, such as the sensation of dryness and itching. It can favor the appearance of urinary infections. Preventive treatment is recommended,” explains Doctor Mercedes Herrero, gynecologist, sexuality expert and collaborator of INTIMINA.
Before applying anything, consult your gynecologist
Regarding improving the dryness of the genital mucosa, the expert explains that, although some presentations do not require a prescription, a very important step is a clinical assessment of each woman to be able to recommend the format most suitable for her situation.
“The treatments that contain it are classified within the group of genital moisturizers. With consistent use, they can improve all of a woman’s symptoms. This molecule is part of creams, gels and vaginal suppositories for the genital area. It is absorbed by becoming part of the mucosa’s thickness, where it retains water. Thus it improves elasticity and the sensation of comfort“, emphasizes.
This syndrome is not only centered on dryness or vaginal atrophy, as was done before. “We must insist that it is known, because all women can suffer from it, to a greater or lesser extent, during menopause,” Herrero insists.
The symptoms are very variable. They can present as a burning sensation, itching and stinging in the genital area. It also causes difficulties due to pain and irritation when having sex and urinary discomfort. “These refer to the urethral area, the urine outlet, but also to the entire vulva. Urine is very irritating to some fragile vulvar mucosa,” she notes.
Types of treatment
They must be divided into two large groups:
- Topical treatments that the woman administers herself: gels for the vulva and vagina; applicators with contents for the vagina or vaginal suppositories. These can be purchased without prescription at pharmacies. They should form part of the habitual care routine during menopause.
- The medicines administered by a professional, in the clinic. These are reticulated hyaluronic acid gels that are administered with very fine needles, under the mucosa of the vulva and the vaginal entrance. They provide immediate relief of the mucosa’s appearance, which becomes thicker, elastic and more pigmented. These treatments last for months, until they are reabsorbed.
An add-on to sexual well-being
The clinical improvement allows many women to restore their sexual activity. “You enter a ‘virtuous circle’, with improvement for both reasons. My clinical experience using it is very good, patients are very satisfied with the result,” says the gynecologist.
That makes it the first option for many women. “Those who do not want or cannot use hormonal treatment, those who have had breast cancer, and those who simply want to start with the simplest option,” explains Claudia Sánchez, pharmacist expert in dermocosmetics and CEO of Ownia Cosmetics.
The expert emphasizes that this is not a lubricant for a one-off moment: “It is a maintenance care that improves the tissue if used consistently, for a few weeks and then on a scheduled basis.”
For those momentary occasions, lubricants and the right sex toys should be used.
Success lies in consistency
The final advice from the pharmacist is clear: products with hyaluronic acid require continuity. “Most women stop after a week because they ‘don’t notice anything’, and the mucosa takes three to four weeks to respond. And if there is significant pain during intercourse or bleeding, it is worth discussing with the gynecologist: hyaluronic acid helps, but it does not replace a diagnosis,” says Sánchez.
“We must understand genitourinary syndrome to take care of ourselves and prevent it. If it diminishes our quality of life, resignation is not the option. Consult the professionals, we are here to help women,” states gynecologist Mercedes Herrero.
