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A former NHS midwife has warned women to watch out for 'winter vagina' and has issued some advice on how to avoid it.

The condition can be embarrassing and painful as well as having a serious impact on your sex life.

But if you now what to do you can avoid problems which start at this time of year and last until spring, reports The Mirror .

Mary Burke, a former NHS midwife and senior clinical nurse at the London Bridge Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Clinic told The Sun : "Dry autumn and winter air depletes moisture from our bodies, leaving our skin dehydrated and cracked, and our sinuses parched.

"And while it’s an issue few will want to discuss openly, our vaginas can enter 'drought mode' during this time, too.

"When we spend a lot of time in air conditioned rooms, or with the heating on, we’re living in air which carries very little moisture."

Bore seeking medical hgelp there are self-help options available, such as buying a lubricant or vaginal moisturiser.

Mary Burke says simple lifestyle changes like eating your greens, avoiding harsh soaps and buying a humidifier can also help.

If this doesn't work you can seek help from your GP.

But not all experts believe cold weather and dry air will cause a problem.

The NHS says vaginal dryness is caused by a drop in oestrogen levels.

Earlier this year, Teen Vogue's post about getting your 'best summer vagina' was mercilessly mocked.

At the time Dr Jen Gunter said: "vaginas function quite well in all seasons".

This comes months after men claimed the warm weather gave them 'summer penis' - a phenomenon which causes raised temperatures to make the penis appear larger.