A 48-year-old woman presents to your office with the complaint of vaginal dryness during intercourse. She reports no medical problems or prior surgeries, and she does not take any medications. She has regular menstrual cycles every 28 days, and has never had asexually transmitted disease. She describes her sexual relationship with her husband as satisfying. Her physical examination is normal.
Components of the natural lubrication produced by the female during sexual arousal and intercourse include which of the following?
A. Fluid from Skene glandsMasters and Johnson initially observed a transudate-like fluid emanating from the vaginal walls during sexual response. This mucoid material, which is sufficient for complete vaginal lubrication, is produced by transudation from the venous plexus surrounding the vagina and appears seconds after the initiation of sexual excitement. No activity by Skene glands was noted, and production of cervical mucus during sexual stimulation was observed in only a few subjects. Fluid from Bartholin glands appears long after vaginal lubrication is well established; in addition, it appears to make only a minor contribution to lubrication in the late plateau phase. Uterine and tubal secretions do not contribute to this lubrication.