It is not uncommon for new mothers to experience a lack of vaginal discharge when their hormones return to normal.
The most common causes of no vaginal discharge are hormonal imbalances, many of which occur as a normal part of menopause, pregnancy, and sometimes even menstruation. Female hormones fluctuate fairly regularly throughout your monthly cycles and some days can be drier depending on when you ovulate and the thickness of your uterine walls. Individual body chemistry also plays a role. Various over-the-counter moisturizers and lubricants can relieve temporary symptoms, but women who don’t have a discharge should generally seek a more permanent solution. Discharge is an important part of reproductive health in most cases, and a complete absence can be a sign of a more serious condition, especially if the woman is also experiencing pain or itching.
Hormone Balance Basics
A woman with a lack of vaginal discharge may need to change the medicine she is taking.
The female reproductive system relies on a complex system of hormones to function, and these chemical signals exist in a state of almost constant flux. Some of their main functions are to regulate ovulation, which is when an egg drops out of the ovary for fertilization, and the actual pregnancy once fertilization takes place, but they also control other smaller things like breast swelling, abdominal swelling and vaginal moisture levels.
Menopause can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to no vaginal discharge.
Many women experience a natural ebb and flow of vaginal discharge at various points in their menstrual cycles. This is considered normal, even if there is no flow on certain days. However, those who have this condition constantly, who have irritation or pain during intercourse, or who have never had a normal vaginal discharge, may have problems caused by hormones. Specifically, they may be experiencing a significant drop in estrogen. Various conditions and diseases can cause this type of fall, although in most cases it can be corrected with hormone therapy and lifestyle changes.
during menopause
Menopause is a natural phenomenon in middle-aged women and is basically a shutdown of the reproductive system.
It is quite common for women to not see vaginal discharge at the beginning of menopause. Menopause is a natural phenomenon in middle-aged women and is basically a shutdown of the reproductive system: when the process is complete, the woman will no longer have a period and will not be able to get pregnant. However, the changes that need to occur to get to that point are quite complicated and require a series of periodic hormonal spikes, dips and imbalances. Periods of time with no discharge are generally considered normal.
After pregnancy and childbirth
A hormonal imbalance can cause a malfunction of the female reproductive system and the absence of vaginal discharge.
Likewise, dryness can also be a normal part of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. A woman’s hormone levels fluctuate greatly during these two events, and changes in vaginal moisture are common. In almost all cases, the regular discharge returns once the woman returns to her normal reproductive status.
Other medical conditions
Certain fertility problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, can cause a lack of vaginal discharge in some women. Fibroids, which are growths in the uterus or reproductive tract, can also contribute. These conditions can usually be treated with hormone replacement medications, dietary changes, and supplements to mimic or replace natural hormones. Not all women with an imbalance will experience vaginal dryness, but it is quite common.
As a reaction to certain medications.
Some women may also have no vaginal discharge after taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications. Some birth control pills fall into this category. A little dryness is usually not a problem, but if there is no discharge for a long time, it can cause pain, especially during intercourse. If this occurs, changing medications or dosage may be a good option. However, depending on the circumstances, dryness may not be enough to warrant discontinuation of a medication, especially when it is used to treat something serious.
when to get help
Experts generally recommend that women talk to a health care provider if they experience vaginal dryness that lasts more than a week or is painful, or any time the lack of discharge is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, extreme itching or cramping. These could be signs of a more serious condition. In general, it is not recommended that patients treat themselves using over-the-counter lubricants until the underlying cause of the dryness is determined. Lubricants are generally designed to supplement moisture levels, not replace them. Prolonged use can mask larger problems and can actually hamper the body’s ability to regulate vaginal conditions.
