Is It Just Me or Did My Vagina Ghost Me?

What You Need to Know About Genitourinary Syndrome

Ever feel like your vagina packed its bags and went on an extended vacation without telling you?
You're not alone—and no, you’re not crazy or broken. If sex feels uncomfortable, you're constantly running to the bathroom, or your libido has mysteriously disappeared, there's a name for it: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).

I know, I know—it sounds like a diagnosis you’d get from a spaceship doctor. But it’s real, it’s common, and it’s totally treatable.

This blog post is your permission slip to stop whispering about vaginal discomfort and start learning how to reclaim your comfort, confidence, and connection. We’re talking urinary symptoms, vaginal moisture (yes, please), pelvic floor health, and how to get your groove back—without shame, without awkward convos, and without gaslighting yourself.

By the end, you’ll walk away with knowledge, solutions, and a few LOLs along the way. Because midlife might be messy, but girl—you’re still magic🪄.

When There's Trouble Down Under

What is Genitourinary Syndrome, anyway?

Let’s break it down without the medical mumbo jumbo.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (aka GSM) is a fancy term for a group of symptoms that happen when estrogen levels drop—thanks to menopause or perimenopause. This hormonal dip affects your bladder, vagina, urethra, and even your libido. It's like a domino effect of "why does everything feel weird down there?"

Some of the most common signs:

• Vaginal dryness or irritation (it’s not in your head!)

• Painful sex (also not in your head)

• Frequent UTIs or pee leaks when you sneeze (yeah, hang on to those pads and panty liners)

• Low libido or lack of sensation (hello, where’d the spark go?)

The worst part? Most women don’t talk about it. We suffer in silence thinking things like “it's just part of aging” or "am I the only one going through this?" Nope. Not on my watch.

Let's Talk Vaginal Dryness (and Why Lube Isn’t Just for Sexy Time)

Dryness isn’t just uncomfortable—it can make everyday things like walking, working out, and yes, sex, feel like sandpaper. If you’ve ever thought, “Ouch, that wasn’t supposed to feel like that,” this one’s for you.

💡Pro Tip: You don’t have to wait for sexy time to use lube. Moisturizers and estrogen-based treatments like Replens, DHEA suppositories, or vaginal estrogen are game changers. These should be part of your daily self-care, not just your “in the mood” routine.

Think of it like skincare—but for your lady bits. Don’t wait until it’s a 5-alarm fire. Hydrate daily.

Libido Left the Chat? Let’s Get Her Back

If your libido has ghosted you harder than your college ex—deep breath. Hormones, stress, sleep, and pelvic discomfort can all gang up on your sex drive. But don’t panic: this isn’t permanent.

✨Your action plan:

• Look into hormone therapy or FDA-approved meds to improve desire

• Try mindfulness, guided intimacy exercises, or even pelvic floor therapy with a specially trained Physical Therapist

• Have honest convos with your partner about what feels good now (because it may have changed—and that’s okay!)

Sexy might look different in this season, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone. Frequent, open communication can prevent bruised egos and maybe even add a new flavor of adventure to the relationship.

Pee Leaks, Urgency, and “Bathroom Map Anxiety”

Let’s talk bladder drama.

Estrogen supports the tissues around your bladder and urethra. When it drops, the area weakens. Add in pelvic floor shifts from childbirth, aging, or even chronic constipation, and suddenly you're scouting bathrooms like a mall cop on high alert. (Let's leave the mall-copping to Paul Blart!)

🔥Try this:

• Pelvic floor physical therapy (yes, it’s a thing and it’s amazing and sometimes it's even covered by insurance)

• Kegels (done correctly, not just random squeezes)

• Avoid bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods (hmmm, seems like I've heard something about anti-inflammatory diets recently...)

• Ask your doc about localized estrogen therapy

And please—stop blaming yourself. It’s biology, not failure.

Your Wellness Toolbox: More Than Just a Prescription

Flora Complete is a new groundbreaking probiotic product from Arbonne. It contains four targeted probiotic strains in one formula. It supports the vaginal and urinary tracts to promote a healthy biome. I use it daily along with the Meno Support (click the image to learn more). But this isn’t just about meds and supplements. It’s about reclaiming your body—and that takes a village. Here’s your starting lineup:

🧠 Therapy (individual or couples) – Normalize talking about sex and stress
🧘🏽‍♀️ Mindfulness + Breathwork – Helps regulate the nervous system
🎯 Communication – With yourself and your partner (no gaslighting allowed)
💧 Hydration + Nutrition – Inflammation impacts everything, including vaginal tissues

Add in a daily vaginal moisturizer, pelvic floor therapy, and maybe even a little toy time (just saying), and suddenly your entire lower half is thanking you.

You Deserve Relief

My friend, if your downstairs feels like a dried-up desert, if you’re sprinting to the bathroom like it’s the Olympics, or if you’re silently wondering why your sex drive hit the snooze button—you’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not too late to fix it.

Genitourinary Syndrome might be common, but it’s not something you have to just live with. I say this all the time: just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal or that you have to live with it from now on. GSM affects your quality of life and there are treatments available. From vaginal moisturizers to pelvic floor magic to hormone therapy and simple daily changes, there are real tools to help you feel like yourself again.

You deserve pleasure, comfort, and confidence at every age. Period. No more whispering about it. No more gritting your teeth through the pain or pretending nothing’s wrong.

Start today. Choose one strategy, have one honest conversation, or schedule one appointment. Midlife doesn’t mean shut down—it means level up.

Strength in Numbers

😅 If reading this made you feel less alone, you’re my kind of woman.
Come hang with me in my reJOYCEful Wellness private FB group. It's a safe place to ask questions and gather info.