Sex with my partner is very painful now. I am dry, I often feel a burning sensation during sex, and last time I bled a little. Can you recommend anything that would help?

Falling oestrogen levels affect the production of protective mucus in the vagina leading to dryness, irritation and sometimes tearing which can then cause bleeding.

There are several things you could do. Oestrogen balancing supplements such as Soya, Black cohosh or Red Clover may help and Sea Buckthorn Oil is known to restore the mucus membranes in the vagina, you could try either or both together.

However, it may take 4-6 weeks to show benefit. In the meantime you can get natural lubricants at your local healthshop which are especially formulated for this.

Eileen Durward