All Woman

Will 'down there' change with age?

Gyno Issues

Donna Hussey-Whyte

Monday, May 18, 2009

SOME women are concerned that as they age, th*eir pubic area will undergo
changes that are not only cause for concern, but make them less appealing
sexually. These changes include thinning of the pubic hair, wrinkles on the
clitoris, balding and loose vaginal muscles.*

Gynaecologist Professor Horace Fletcher, said pubic hair will in fact suffer
similar fate as head hair.

"Pubic hair suffers the same problems as head hair, although it is less
abused - no straightening or bleaching and colouring (dyeing)," he said.

"*However, a lot of shaving over the years will result in hair bumps similar
* to that suffered by black men who shave their beards."

Dr Fletcher said pubic hair and axillary hair (under the arms) are a little
different from the hair on the rest of the body.

"The hair there is a little coarser than body hair and more kinky (curly)
even in Caucasians," he explained. "The hair there however, is subject to
greying, thinning and balding and will also fall out with chemotherapy."

Apart from the pubic hair changes, there are also other changes that the
ageing vagina will go through. The vaginal walls become less elastic, less
rigid and will be considerably thinner. If this happens, the vagina will
become shorter.

The normal vaginal secretions will be rare. If it does appear, the
secretions will be watery rather than thick. The tissues of the vagina will
also decrease as well and the vagina will become drier. Once the vagina
becomes dry, this increases the risks of infections.

*Ageing can also cause vaginal prolapse.* This means the whole vagina can
drop out of its position, *which sometimes causes incontinence - the
symptoms of which are swelling on the opening of the vagina and bulges at
the back wall.*

The important factor in ageing women is to not be alarmed as these changes
are - as unnatural as they may seem - a part of the process that the body
goes through.

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