8 Ways Your Vagina Changes After 40

Your body undergoes many changes as you age and this includes your vagina. These changes can occur because of hormonal variations, skin issues, and chronic illnesses. While you may notice differences in your vagina at any time, these can become more obvious in your 40s and 50s.  Vaginal Health Under 40 vs. Over 40 Vaginal health in UNDER 40 During your 20’s and 30’s your libido may have been on overdrive. If you’re sexually active, especially if you have sex frequently, you may experience urinary tract infections (UTI) as bacteria travel from the vagina to the urethra. During your 30s, your inner labia may darken due to hormone changes. If you become pregnant, vaginal discharge may increase and appear milky. It may have a mild odor, but should not be green, yellow, or smell bad or fishy. After giving birth, your vagina may have lost some of its elasticity and stretch more than usual. Over time, most vaginas will return to almost pre-birth size. Kegel exercises can help by strengthening pelvic floor muscles and restoring vaginal tone. Oral contraceptives may have caused vaginal changes such as increased vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness, and breakthrough bleeding. These symptoms often resolve on their...