Topical DHEA for Targeted Relief
Okay, I learned something the other day that I am super excited about. It’s no secret that I advocate a natural approach to menopause, but at the same time, I totally get that some of the byproducts of the shifts that occur in our hormonal profile can be uncomfortable, to say the least; and sometimes nutritional and/or lifestyle changes take longer than we would like or even fall short in terms of results, at least in the immediate term.
Especially when it comes to some of our more intimate concerns, like vaginal dryness or the thinning of vaginal tissue that can make sex so uncomfortable. Now, there are some AMAZING products on the market that can address dryness (FemmePharma makes some great ones), but what if your problem is just a little more severe than that, or you want a more “permanent” solution, WITHOUT turning to HRT?
Look no further than DHEA. This is the precursor sex hormone that the body uses to convert to testosterone and estrogen as needed – we produce it in abundant supply until about age 30, at which point it starts a steady decline as we age. Ultimately we lose about 80% of our natural reserves of DHEA, which is a bummer because as menopause kicks in, it can pick up quite a bit of the slack. The good news is that it is readily available as a supplement to boost the body’s ability to manufacture its own testosterone and estrogen (which is why DHEA has a starring role in the Vital Femme line!).
But here’s the coolest part: it turns out that DHEA can also be used topically to specifically target vaginal tissue, without altering the blood levels of any hormones. In studies of menopausal women, it has shown to increase the thickness of vaginal walls and improve both vaginal dryness and pH levels without any systemic effects. Wow! This means that you can safely use the supplement to restore the reserves of the DHEA that keep your hormones balanced, while also giving a boost right to the source of discomfort. Isn’t it cool how our body knows what to do when you give it the right tools??
Apparently, you do need a prescription for this form of DHEA, but I’m told it is fairly easy to come by if you ask for it specifically.
Give my lady parts a little extra TLC without HRT? That is music to my ears.