Menopause. Thanks to more open conversations in recent years, we know there’s far more to it than hot flushes and mood swings. Alongside hair loss, night sweats and other physical symptoms, hormonal changes can also affect the vulva and vagina. As oestrogen declines, skin that’s already endured a lifetime of periods, sex, childbirth and everyday friction can become more sensitive, making discomfort a common complaint.
Yet it’s something many women still feel embarrassed to talk about – exactly the kind of double taboo brands such as Andrex are hoping to challenge.
The changing picture
‘The intimate skin and tissues of the vulva and vagina are highly sensitive to oestrogen,’ says Dr Helen Wall, GP partner and BMS-registered menopause specialist. ‘The hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause can cause the skin to become thinner, drier and less elastic, while changes to the vagina’s pH increase the risk of irritation and infection.’
‘Many women also experience itching, burning, discomfort during sex and increased sensitivity of the surrounding vulval skin,’ adds Dr Wall. ‘These changes are common, but they aren’t inevitable.’ As a result, everyday routines such as going to the loo or washing can become uncomfortable. Standard toilet tissue may feel abrasive against sensitive skin, while heavily fragranced products can cause irritation.
The good news is that understanding these changes can help women make informed choices about their everyday routines and care for intimate skin more effectively.
Rethinking routines
Because intimate skin can become more delicate during menopause, seemingly small daily habits can begin to make a difference. Products we’ve used for years may suddenly feel less comfortable, not because they’ve changed, but because our skin has.
It’s a useful reminder that skincare doesn’t stop at our face. Just as many of us adjust our moisturiser as our skin changes with age, it’s worth considering whether the products we use every day on intimate skin still meet its needs.
Paying attention to comfort, choosing gentler formulations and recognising when our routines need to evolve can all play a part in helping us feel more comfortable day to day.
Care that counts
Understanding these changes is one thing; knowing how to respond to them is another. As the needs of intimate skin change, so too should the way we care for it. That’s the thinking behind the Andrex Advanced Skin Care range, developed specifically for our most delicate skin. If hormonal changes make intimate areas more vulnerable, then the products we use every day should adapt in response.
The range includes Skin Protect, the first clinically proven* toilet tissue for intimate skin by Andrex, alongside hygiene wipes for everyday protection. Borrowing from the kind of innovation we’ve become used to in facial skincare, the products are designed to go beyond what we’d normally expect from everyday bathroom essentials.
A soothing lotion, made with vitamin E and chamomile, is infused within the tissue fibres – helping to support the skin’s natural barrier and reduce moisture loss after repeat wiping. The paper itself is manufactured with an exceptionally smooth surface to minimise friction, recognising that intimate skin has different needs from the rest of the body.
Comfort without compromise
Menopause is a reminder that our bodies change over time – and sometimes our routines need to change with them. Whether that means seeking expert advice, switching products or simply paying closer attention to how we care for intimate skin, small adjustments can make a big difference.
Andrex Skin Protect has been developed with those changing needs in mind, offering a gentler approach when intimate skin feels more vulnerable.
After all, we wouldn’t think twice about adapting our facial skincare as our skin changes with age. Perhaps it’s time we extended that same care and consideration to one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, too.
Get comfortable now, and shop Andrex Skin Protect
*Reduces moisture loss from the skin vs. unlotioned Andrex® products, caring for your skin’s barrier
®/TM of Kimberly-Clark Europe Ltd
