Half-crouched over my laptop, I researched my symptoms, and an unattractive-sounding condition by the name of vulvovaginal atrophy made itself known to me. I took my findings to my GP, and they agreed with Dr Google’s prognosis. Now, in addition to being in pain, I also felt less desirable.

Menopausal symptoms are caused primarily by a decline in the amount of sex hormones we produce, notably oestrogen. It may be a totally natural process, but that oestrogen drain causes all kinds of havoc because it’s the hormone responsible for keeping tissue plump and lubricated. When it declines, the lining of the vagina may become thinner, dryer and inflamed, and over time, more fragile. Oestrogen plays a role in collagen formation, too, so vaginas may become shorter and less elastic, while sex and masturbation can become uncomfortable or even downright unappealing. In my case, the pain also stopped me from doing my job properly.

As with so much of women’s health, this is the kind of condition many of us live with thinking that we’re the only one. In reality, millions of women are going through exactly the same thing. According to menopause and women’s health expert Dr Shirin Lakhani, it’s believed to affect around 70% of menopausal women. “The issue is that women don’t often bring it up in consultations with their doctors, and only 7% of healthcare professionals actively ask about it,” she tells Strong Women.

“Menopausal vaginal pain stopped me from being able to do my job – here’s how I managed to cure it”