How the Vagina Ages: An Owner's Guide

Let's start with the reproductive years, also known as the decades many women spend worrying about one of two things: getting pregnant or not getting pregnant. Females enter reproductive years at puberty, which typically occurs around age 11, but can range from 8 to 14. Pubic hair grows and thickens, hips widen, breasts develop, and hormones trigger monthly release of an egg, or ova, from the ovaries. When that egg isn't fertilized and doesn't implant in the uterus, the unnecessary endometrial lining sheds off the uterine wall during a four- to six-day period that's most commonly every 28 days (don't panic if your period or cycle is longer or shorter—that's common). Much to the dismay of most of us, periods often go hand-in-hand with cramps, bloating, sore breasts, headaches, cravings, fatigue and irritability.

Periods—and the hormone system behind them—serve a critical purpose, as part of the biology of pregnancy and birth. Bearing a child has its own difficulties: Some women experience perineal tears, prolapse of the uterus, bladder or vagina, sagging labia, pelvic floor damage and incontinence. Sexually active women are most prone to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during early reproductive years—effective condom use can help keep you safe. Cervical cancer risk also increases significantly during this time, and is associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Unfortunately, it doesn't end at perimenopause. Even if you haven't gone through menopause, you've likely heard and read plenty about the symptoms. Menopause marks the end of the release of eggs by the ovaries and is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period. Periods stop, and pregnancy through natural means is no longer possible. While an end to monthly periods may sound like a relief, other aspects of menopause probably won't. Some perimenopause symptoms continue, along with bloating, chills, headaches, decreased sex drive, difficulty concentrating, joint and muscle pains, decreased metabolism and subsequent weight gain, night sweats, thinning hair and drying skin. Breasts may decrease in size and fullness. Menopause manifests itself differently for every woman, and many report worse symptoms during perimenopause than menopause itself.

The average female undergoes menopause at age 51, though this can range from the mid-40s to mid-50s. Early and premature menopause may be caused by surgeries (hysterectomy, oophorectomy), smoking, chemotherapy or radiation, family history, and certain medical conditions and infections. Risk for ovarian cancer increases with age—women should be on the lookout for vague pelvic symptoms that may be a sign of a disease which is notoriously difficult to diagnose.

At our last stop through the years of a vagina, we're gonna talk about those golden, post-menopause years. All throughout your life, aging will continue to impact the vagina. Post-menopause, skin becomes thinner and prone to sagging and wrinkles. Pubic hair may gray and thin. Women not taking estrogen treatments may continue to battle vaginal dryness and discomfort. The vagina itself can atrophy (shrink), becoming shorter and less elastic, which can make penetrative sex uncomfortable. Using ample water-based lubricants can help significantly, as can having sex itself. Pelvic floor exercises, therapeutic massages or talking with a sex therapist can further assist in combating discomfort and keeping your sex life vibrant.

So, aging ain't for sissies, but women are warriors. Whether you're 65 and nodding along in recognition, or 25 and anxious about aging, there's a lot of help out there to make sure you and your vagina can enjoy a long and happy life together.