From childhood through puberty and adulthood, a woman’s body grows and changes, including the vagina. At various points in a woman’s life, the vagina presents different health challenges as it ages.

Dr Grace Huang is a resident doctor at DTAP Clinic Robertson, a general practice clinic with a special interest in Men’s, Women’s, and Sexual Health. She has a keen interest in Women’s health and wellness medicine, and shares the reasons why vaginal health is important and the sorts of changes that a woman should expect in terms of her vaginal health.

During the 20s and 30s

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Through her 20s and 30s, the hormone oestrogen keeps a woman’s vagina elastic, well-lubricated and in top condition.

It is also through the 20s and 30s when a woman is most sexually active, that she is most prone to vaginal infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, which are both sexually transmitted infections. As well, she is also at a higher risk of contracting common infections like yeast and bacterial vaginosis which occur when the natural vaginal balance becomes disrupted. These can cause symptoms such as abnormal discharge, spotting, unnatural odours, itching or soreness.

Washing the vaginal area with warm water and a mild cleaner, however, will keep such infections at bay as well as going for regular screenings and observing safe sexual practices.

Pregnancy and childbirth 

During pregnancy and childbirth, a woman experiences significant changes to her vaginal health too.

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Hormone levels also change during pregnancy and this affects the vagina, making a woman more prone to yeast infections, of which symptoms include itching, discomfort, and unusual discharge. The pressure build-up due to the growth of the baby can also cause vaginal pains as a result of nerve compression.

Childbirth causes the pelvic floor muscles to become lax or weakened, causing the vagina to lose elasticity and occasionally, decreased sexual satisfaction.

Menopause

During menopause, the oestrogen levels take a dip and the vaginal walls become thinner and drier.

With less oestrogen, this may also result in dryness, vaginal itching, urinary incontinence and discomfort during sexual intercourse. However continuing to have an active sex life helps to increase blood flow to the vagina, and maintains the vaginal elasticity as well as a healthy vaginal lining.

Conclusion

DR. Huang concludes that even though this may be a sensitive topic for some, she reiterates that maintaining vaginal health is as vital as taking care of other aspects of a woman’s health, and seek medical attention if needed, as every woman goes through these stages and experiences similar problems.