If you recently took a peek down south and were surprised (to say the least) to see wrinkles, you're far from alone. Everyone has wrinkles there. Visible signs of aging, like crow's feet and gray hairs, are a common part of getting older. And just like the rest of your body, your vagina and vulva also change as you age. During your 40s and 50s, your body starts producing less estrogen as you enter perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause. Estrogen keeps vaginal collagen plump and moist and helps provide good blood flow to the area. However, during perimenopause, decreasing estrogen levels can make vaginal tissue thinner and less elastic. Your clitoris may shrink, and your labia may become less full, potentially changing in color, and starting to sag. A decrease in collagen may contribute to sagging skin all over your body, including your vulva, and weaker pelvic floor muscles. Still, there are ways to help you keep your vagina healthy, like doing Kegel exercises and using lube or a vaginal moisturizer. While it's normal for aging vaginas to change, that doesn't mean you have to deal with uncomfortable side effects. If you have any concerns about your vaginal health, consult with a healthcare provider. A big Shout-Out to our fabulous Sponsor UTIVA!!! Utiva Bladder Health is clinically proven to help reduce overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms. You can help lower your risk of preventing UTIs. Dr. Oakley loves and recommends Utiva to her patients after radiation to the pelvis, from uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer to breast cancer and she takes it daily herself. Check it out: https://www.utivahealth.com/ - Her favorite is the Utiva Cranberry PACs: it's a simple, small, once-a-day pill taken for daily support of the urinary tract to prevent ongoing UTIs. PACs are also the antioxidant of the cranberry and provide other gut health benefits. Just toss it in your purse so you'll always be prepared!! Thank you, ladies, for listening. Always feel free to ask Dr. Oakley any women's health questions at any time. Please send in your comments, questions, and suggestions for future topics at [email protected].