Reduced or Loss of Sensation

Loss of Vaginal Sensation

Reduced or Loss of vaginal sensation can be a result of three main reasons:

• Excessive Vaginal Lubrication
• Vaginal Relaxation / and Vaginal Prolapse
• Medical Problem affecting sensation – diabetes, multiple sclerosis, nerve damage, and

Excessive Vaginal Lubrication

There is an optimum level of friction that is required to enable heightened pleasure for both partners, thus leading to easier climax. Excessive natural vaginal lubrication (wetness) can reduce sexual satisfaction and physical pleasure for both partners. Females lose maximum possible stimulation along the vaginal walls, while men lose out on the correspondingly “tight” sensation during penetration. A woman’s vaginal lubrication level increases naturally as arousal increases, but for some ladies, even the slightest turn-on is enough to produce excessive vaginal lubrication.

There is also a natural increase in vaginal secretion, which is noticeable during the mid -cycle, or ovulation period. This coincides with increased libido in most women at the same time, and can be quite frustrating for both, when sexual feelings are heightened. However, if this wetness is there all the time, you should see your doctor to be sure there is no infection, abnormalities, or other problem causing your excessive wetness, especially if it is something new. There are unscientific reports of female ejaculatory fluids, which is not consistent in all women, and is therefore difficult to attribute this as a possible reason for increases wetness. However, the knowledge of this may help a few women who do have “female ejaculation” to understand the nature of their vaginal wetness, with the common sense approach to managing this.

Medical Options:

It is difficult to specifically control the amount of vaginal secretion the body produces. Therefore most of the remedies or suggestion are for individual consideration, as to whether this will be acceptable option.

Medications that reduce body secretions or increase dryness of body surfaces as side -effects abound, but these may not be appropriate because of their side -effects and the fact that they will also cause dryness in other parts of the body. These medications include decongestants, antihistamines, cold formulas and certain antidepressants. Excessive vaginal lubrication due to overgrow changes in the lining of the covering of the mouth of the cervix – cervical ectopy or cervical erosion- can be treated by surgery. This will involve freezing treatment (cryotherapy) to the cervix and may also be done using a laser or electrical wire (electrocautery) on the cervix to reduce secretions. However, there is no guarantee that the problem will not return. Non-Medical Options: There are numerous options, but few realistic ones. Here are some common things couples try and comments about their effectiveness.

1). Douching. This has some impact by reducing the amount of natural lubrication, but the effect tends to vanish as the woman’s arousal increases, resulting in secretions of even more vaginal lubrication. Alum Douche is not recommended, but can create a drying and tightening effect. Alum douche can be irritating and cause yeast infections.

2). Manual Drying – Insert a dry sponge or cloth. One of the more embarrassing techniques as it must be done intermittently. Couples find this a big turn off. The technique though, is to wrap a thin sheet/towel around a couple of fingers. Insert the fingers to soak up excessive vaginal lubrication. Proceed with intercourse. Repeat as necessary. While this method does work, reentry into the vagina is difficult and painful because this method absorbs all of the lubrication. Within a few minutes however, as arousal increases again, there will once again be excessive lubrica tion. With this method, there is no way of controlling the desired level of wetness and tightness.

3). Hormonal Treatment – This effect is difficult to predict, as many women responds differently to various hormonal treatment. Progestogens (either on the ir own or as in mini-pill preparations, which are progesterone-only pills) generally thicken vaginal secretions, reducing its lubricating effect. So also is the use of combined oral contraceptives, especially with suitably higher dose of progestogens. The pros and cons of this needs to be weighed, especially regarding the unwanted side-effects.

4). Vaginal Powders. AbsorbShun natural powder in particular. Is an “all-natural” powder derived from maize plant that either the man or woman can apply to the man’s penis. It is supposed to help to make a difference where nothing else will work. The more powder used, the more absorption, thus allowing the couple to find (and control) their most preferred vaginal lubrication and tightness level. Unfortunately this product has been linked to some pornographic website marketing (we do not support of advocate this), so you need to beware if you are making enquiries about this product, outside our website. Also you need to be aware that use of talc powder has been link to ovarian cancer, so you should be careful about the idea of using any substitute powder for this purpose.

Buy Absorbshun Powder

Vaginal Relaxation (Pelvic Organ Prolapse):

Prolapse occurs when the normal support of the vagina is lost, resulting in “sagging” or dropping of the bladder, urethra, cervix or rectum. Many women notice a bulge but others may feel a looseness or lack of sensation in the vagina with intimacy. As the prolapse of the vagina and uterus progresses, women can feel bulging tissue coming out the opening of the vagina. Different areas of the vagina can prolapse:

• Anterior Vaginal Prolapse (also known as cystocele): This type of prolapse occurs when the wall between the vagina and the bladder stretches or detaches from its attachment on the pelvic bones. This loss of support allows the bladder to prolapse or fall down into the vagina. Symptoms may include:

1. abnormal bladder emptying o urinary frequency
2. night time voiding
3. loss of bladder control
4. recurrent bladder infections o pelvic pressure

• Posterior Vaginal Prolapse (also known as rectocele): Weakening of the back wall of the vagina allows the rectum to bulge into the vagina, sometimes stretching low enough to come out of the vaginal opening. Symptoms may include:

1. difficulty with bowel movements o constipation
2. loss of stool
3. pelvic pressure

• Uterine Prolapse: When the supporting ligaments and muscles of the pelvic floor that keep the uterus in the pelvis are damaged, the cervix and uterus descend into the vagina and eventually out of t he vaginal opening. Often, uterine prolapse is associated with loss of vaginal wall support (cystocele, rectocele). When the cervix protrudes outside the vagina, the cervix can develop ulcers from rubbing on underwear or protective pads. Symptoms may include:

1.  sense of fullness, pain or pressure in the pelvis
2. symptoms of anterior or posterior vaginal prolapse o vaginal bleeding

• Vaginal Prolapse after Hysterectomy (also known as vaginal “vault” prolapse): If a woman has already had a hysterectomy, the very top of the vagina (where the uterus used to be) can become detached from its supporting ligaments. Depending upon how extensively the top of the vagina is turning inside out, one or several pelvic organs (such as the bladder, small and large bowel) will pr olapse into the protruding bulge.
• Enterocele: Occurs when there is a separation of the strong connective tissue at the top of the vagina and the bowel presses against the vagina. This forms a hernia sac into which the bowel can protrude.

Studies have shown that vaginal birth is a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse. During the birth process the muscles that surround and support the vagina might become stretched and torn. At GyneClinics we offer a unique post-delivery muscle strengthening therapy to improve muscle tone and prevent development of prolapse. Other treatments include pessaries or surgery.

For more information on vaginal relaxation and vaginal prolapse, please see our GyneCosmetics website link

You will also find the following pages on this website very useful:

Vaginal Tigthening