From what I read your vagina goes through a change that involves getting dryer because you are no longer ovualting and when you stop ovulating the ovaries do not produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone in an amount enough to keep your vagina lubricated. With this lack of lubrication sex is so painful and it also seems that the vagina get's smaller. According to this book written by a doctor I have, estrogen acts on many different organs in the body including cells in the vagina, bladder, breasts, skin, bones, arteries, heart, liver, and brain. According to this doctors writings all these organs contain estrogen receptors, and require this hormone to stimulate these receptors for normal cell function. It says estrogen is needed to keep the skin smooth and moist, the body's internal thermostat operating properly, and the arteries unclogged. It is also necessary for proper bone formation.

It says estrogen levels drop sharply after menopause, but does not disappear entirely. Other organs take over from the ovaraies and continue to produce some estrogen and other hormones. The organs knw as endocrined glands secrete hormones to maintain proper bodily functions. It names several things some women experience after menopause including; poor libido, vaginal dryness and itching, burning and discomfort during sexual intercourse, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and several others I have not mentioned here.

Here are some of the viatmins mentioned that are suppose to help.

Lecthin, primrose oil or black currant seed oil, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, calcium and magnesium, vitamin c.

The book is called "Prescription For Nutritional Healing".

Deann