Modern medicine explains whole-body dryness in climacteric women by closely linking it to a decrease in estrogen. When ovarian function declines and estrogen secretion drops, the positive influence this hormone has on the body's mucosa and skin cells also disappears. Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining moisture and conferring elasticity to all mucosa, including the oral cavity, eyeball, and vagina.
One of the most common symptoms is xerostomia. As salivary gland hypofunction reduces saliva secretion, the mouth becomes dry and sticky, and difficulty in chewing or swallowing food may occur. In severe cases, the risks of halitosis, dental caries, and gum diseases can even increase.
Dry eye syndrome caused by lacrimal gland hypofunction is another common issue. When tears are not produced sufficiently or evaporate easily, the eyes feel gritty and stinging, and you may experience a foreign body sensation or blurred vision. This can be an even more distressing symptom for modern individuals who frequently use computers or smartphones.
Furthermore, vaginal dryness, which many women suffer from in silence, is also primarily caused by estrogen reduction. As the vaginal mucosa thins, loses elasticity, and dries out, it causes discomfort and can also increase the incidence of dyspareunia, vaginitis, and urinary tract infection, significantly affecting quality of life.
Beyond being uncomfortable, these symptoms can also affect the autonomic nervous system, potentially accompanied by sleep disorder, depression, or anxiety. As the body’s hormonal balance is disrupted, overall physical regulation hypofunction occurs. Therefore, rather than dismissing dryness symptoms in climacteric women as a mere aging phenomenon, you should consider them an important signal that requires an active understanding and management of bodily changes.
