We have mucous membranes both inside and outside the body, such as in the eyes, nose, mouth, intestines and the woman's abdomen. Approximately half of all women suffer from fragile mucous membranes at some point in their lives, especially in connection with major hormonal changes such as after pregnancy and menopause. Dry and fragile mucous membranes can be very painful and cause great discomfort for women, but there is help available. <3 This article will focus on dry mucous membranes in the vagina (also called atrophic vaginitis).
Common causes of dry mucous membranes
Dry mucous membranes are often connected to falling estrogen levels in women, which occurs in connection with menopause and after pregnancy. When estrogen levels fall, the blood supply to the vagina decreases and the vaginal wall thins. It also changes the pH value in the vagina (it rises), which means that the number of lactobacilli in the bacterial flora decreases. You often have an increased risk of urinary tract infections in connection with lower estrogen levels as the mucous membranes in the bladder and urethra are also affected. Other causes can be the use of birth control pills, certain medicines, stress, removed ovaries or uterus and diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome.
Common symptoms
There are many symptoms of dry mucous membranes but some of the most common are dryness and itching, discharge, pale mucous membranes, painful urination, pain during sex, repeated urinary tract infections or the need to urinate frequently.
Natural relief with sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is a fantastic oil with a fine composition of important fatty acids. It differs from other berries precisely because of its fatty acid profile with high levels of omega-7. In addition to omega-7, there are also omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9. Fatty acids are important for the body's mucous membranes, especially omega-7. The body can actually produce omega-7 on its own, but production decreases with increasing age and in the case of problems with dry and fragile mucous membranes, the supply of this fatty acid can make a difference.
Scientific studies show that omega-7 has an important function in maintaining and stabilizing the cells of the skin and mucous membranes. A lack of this important fatty acid can lead to dry, brittle and fragile mucous membranes in, for example, the abdomen and urinary tract. Few foods in nature have such a high content of omega-7 fatty acids as sea buckthorn berries. A supplement with sea buckthorn oil can therefore protect and strengthen the cells in the mucous membranes. In addition, the berry contains plenty of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids, flavonoids) that protect the cells against oxidative stress.
Important vitamins
In addition to sea buckthorn oil, there are also vitamins that are important for the function of our mucous membranes. Vitamin A (and also beta-carotene which is a precursor to vitamin A), vitamin B2, vitamin B3 and biotin contribute to the normal function of the mucous membranes.
