Many women feel that the mucous membranes in their vaginal area remain in good condition during pregnancy. The situation often changes after the pregnancy and during breastfeeding, and the mucous membranes of the vagina feel dry and irritated. Other symptoms may include burning and itching. The uncomfortable sensations can interfere with everyday life and the enjoyment of physical exercise and intimacy.
Vaginal dryness is caused by a decrease in the amount of oestrogen after giving birth and further decreases during breastfeeding (1, 2). The decreased oestrogen levels explain why vaginal dryness is more than seven times more common in women who breastfeed than in women who use infant formula (1). In fact, the most common cause of decreased oestrogen levels in women of reproductive age is breastfeeding (1).
Non-hormonal cream relieves the symptoms safely
The use of moisturising creams is the primary treatment for intimate dryness (3, 4). Topical creams containing small amounts of oestrogen are one option (3, 4), however, non-hormonal therapies may be more appropriate for some women. For example, the use of hormone preparations, even topically, is not usually recommended for breast cancer patients (5). Oestrogen used during breastfeeding can also lower prolactin levels in the body, which may decrease milk production (6).
Sea buckthorn oil is a non-hormonal treatment solution that promotes the normal functioning of mucous membranes (7, 8). In clinical trials, the use of topical sea buckthorn oil cream (Membrasin® Vaginal Vitality Cream) has been shown to relieve the symptoms of intimate dryness and irritation and tenderness in the vaginal area (9). The healing effect that sea buckthorn oil cream has on mucous membranes is likely due to the combination of the sea buckthorn oil’s protective effect and the hyaluronic acid’s moisturising effect.
SBA24® sea buckthorn oil capsules (Membrasin® Feminine Moisturizer supplement*) contain plenty of essential omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and carotenoids, which are precursors to vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes the well-being of mucous membranes, and vitamin E protects the cells from oxidative stress (10). Sea buckthorn oil taken as a dietary supplement has effects that strengthen the mucosa, which are likely due to the combined effect of all these components (7, 10).
*Dietary supplement: contains beta-carotene, a source of vitamin A that supports the maintenance of normal vision and skin. Vitamin E supports the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Agarwal ym. Application of the Estrogen Threshold Hypothesis to the Physiologic Hypoestrogenemia of Lactation. Breastfeed Med. 2015; 10(2): 77–83.
- Barbieri RL. Hormone treatment of endometriosis: the estrogen threshold hypothesis. Am J Obstet Gynecol.1992 Feb;166(2):740–5.
- Tiitinen A. Emättimen limakalvojen kuivuminen. The Finnish Medical Association, Duodecim. 2017; article id: dlk00118 (016.008).
- Casey ym. Impact of Contraception on Female Sexual Function. J Women’s Health. 2017; 26 (3): 207–13.
- Tiitinen ym. Vaihdevuosioireet ja hormonihoito. Lääkärin käsikirja, Duodecim. 2016; Artikkelin tunnus: ykt00629 (025.051).
- Palmer ym. Lactational Atrophic Vaginitis. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2003; 48: 282–284
- Erkkola R. Sea buckthorn and breast cancer. 2018; expert opinion, unpublished.
- Suryakumar ym. Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.). J Ethnopharmacol. 2011; 138(2): 268–78.
- Membrasin® Vitality Cream clinical trial, manuscript in preparation.
- Larmo ym. Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. 2014; 79(3): 316–21.
