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Maybe you find yourself reaching for more sips of water than usual, or perhaps you’ve started carrying hard candies everywhere you go. If these solutions help you deal with dry mouth during menopause, you’re not alone. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a fairly common symptom during perimenopause and menopause.
Read on to discover why your mouth may feel dry during menopause and what you can do about it.
People with xerostomia may notice specific symptoms of dry mouth, such as:
Having less saliva can also make it more difficult to digest your food, since enzymes in saliva help break down certain types of food, such as starches.
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You may find that your mouth is more dry than usual during menopause. One study noted that about 34.5 percent of women experience dry mouth 10 years after menopause compared to 17.8 percent with dry mouth before menopause.
Several reasons may be behind the changes you’ve noticed in your levels of mouth dryness.
Estrogen and progesterone are two hormones that fluctuate in menopausal women. Receptors for these hormones can be found in your salivary glands and the mucous membranes in your mouth.
As your progesterone and estrogen levels shift during menopause, you may notice changes to your saliva production, as well as the quality of your saliva. Having less saliva in your mouth is one big reason why your mouth may feel dry during menopause.
Certain medications may cause dry mouth as a side effect. These include certain drugs in the following groups:
Other medications can lead to mouth dryness as well. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether your medications could be causing dry mouth.
You may be living with other health conditions during menopause. Some of these conditions may cause an increased risk of dry mouth, including:
For an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. They can determine whether other conditions may be causing your mouth to be dry. If so, treating those underlying conditions may help your mouth feel better.
Your mouth could be dry due to other reasons. Some of these involve treatments for other conditions, such as undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. Others could be linked to your lifestyle.
Additional causes of dry mouth include:
Saliva has other uses in your mouth besides keeping it moist. It washes away food particles after eating, helps neutralize bacteria, and starts the digestion process. This means your saliva plays a big role in keeping your mouth healthy.
If you don’t address mouth dryness, you could develop other problems affecting your oral health, including:
Women in perimenopause and menopause may be at higher risk for other oral health issues besides dry mouth, such as:
Make sure you get regular dental checkups to ensure you maintain your oral health throughout menopause. Explain any new or worsening symptoms so your care team can investigate the cause and help you find treatment options that can help.
Several solutions are available to relieve dry mouth and improve your quality of life.
Certain home remedies may help alleviate mouth dryness in people who are going through menopause.
Using a specially formulated, alcohol-free mouthwash can help keep your mouth moist. Look for products containing xylitol if possible.
Artificial saliva products may also help moisturize your mouth and tongue. In addition, chewing sugar-free gum throughout the day can help stimulate saliva production.
Getting consistent hydration is a simple and effective way to prevent or reduce dry mouth. The amount of water you need depends on several factors, including your activity level, age, and weight.
Ask your doctor how much water is right for you. Then try to sip water throughout the day to meet your intake goal rather than drinking large amounts all at once. If you don’t want to drink water all day, consider sucking on ice cubes or sugar-free ice pops.
If needed, prescription-strength treatments are available to help your mouth feel better and possibly improve saliva flow. These include high-strength saliva stimulators, saliva substitutes, and lozenges.
In addition, some research indicates that menopause hormone therapy may help increase saliva production. More studies are needed to definitively say how useful these therapies (also called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) are for dry mouth.
You may find that some lifestyle changes may help reduce mouth dryness.
Alcohol and tobacco can worsen dry mouth and irritate the tissues in your mouth and throat. If you currently drink or smoke, reducing or eliminating these substances may improve your dry mouth symptoms.
Limiting alcohol and quitting tobacco can also lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic health conditions that may affect women in menopause.
Some people also find it helpful to keep a humidifier in the house to moisten the air.
Living with a dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable. For some women in menopause, it’s a chronic issue that impacts oral health, overall health, and quality of life. The good news is that there are effective ways to manage mouth dryness.
Speak with your healthcare provider about your dry mouth symptoms. They can help you pinpoint the cause and suggest strategies to manage it. Your OB-GYN and your dentist may need to collaborate on solutions.
If you think your medication may be causing dry mouth, get medical advice from your healthcare provider about possibly changing your dosage or trying a different drug. If you need to stay on these drugs, consider taking them during the day rather than at night to help reduce the chance of developing cavities.
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