Feeling dry down there is problematic and frustrating. It can even affect your sex life
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness can be a challenging symptom to deal with. At some point in life, it can hurt and be uncomfortable. Decreased hormone levels, breastfeeding, or certain medications can cause this symptom. In addition, it’s commonly linked to menopause. Treatment options for vaginal dryness typically depend on the cause.
Usually, your vaginal lining is lubricated with fluid that helps keep it thick and elastic. Vaginal dryness happens when the tissues in your vagina are dry, thin, and not well-moisturized. This leads to discomfort, especially during sex.
Vaginal dryness occurs at any age. It’s most common in women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) during or after menopause when estrogen levels decline. The hormone estrogen helps keep your vaginal lining moisturized and healthy. Low levels of estrogen cause your vaginal walls to become thin and dry. This is a common condition of menopause called vaginal atrophy.
Many safe and effective treatments are available for vaginal dryness.
Around 17% of people assigned female at birth (AFAB) age 18 to 50 report problems with vaginal dryness during sex, even before menopause takes place. Over half experience vaginal dryness after menopause. (per Cleveland clinic)
Possible causes of vaginal dryness
In many cases, vaginal dryness happens when estrogen levels decrease. This occurs naturally as you age or during menopause. Menopause is when your menstrual period ends, and you can no longer become pregnant. When estrogen levels decline, the skin and tissues of your vulva and vagina become thinner and less elastic, and your vagina can become dry.
Certain health conditions or treatments for health conditions can also cause vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can result from the following:
- Breastfeeding and childbirth.
- Birth control pills or any form of hormonal birth control.
- Cancer treatments include chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
- Diabetes.
- Medications include anti-estrogen medications (treating uterine fibroids or endometriosis), certain antidepressants, and antihistamines (treatment for itchy eyes and runny noses).
- Removal of your ovaries (oophorectomy).
- Sjogren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disorder that can cause dryness throughout your body).
- I am not sexually aroused.
- Use scented or perfumed soaps, sprays, and washes around or in your vagina.
Why is your vagina dry during sex
Vaginal dryness is usually most apparent during sexual penetration. Without enough vaginal lubrication, friction (or rubbing) during sexual intercourse can cause pain and discomfort. Take time before sex to make sure you’re fully aroused. Engage in foreplay with your partner and try to relax. Using water-based sexual lubricants can also help. Sadly, painful sex can make you lose interest in having sex or feel close to your partner. As embarrassing as it may feel, discuss your symptom with your partner so they can help you.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness causes discomfort and pain in your vagina, especially during sex. A dry vagina may also cause:
- Burning and itching.
- Bleeding after sex due to your vaginal wall tissues breaking open.
- Soreness in your vulva.
- Recurrent urinary tract infections(UTIs) or yeast infections.
- Needing to pee more often.
- I do not want to have sex.
Less moisture in your vagina leads to less water in your vulvar area (external genitals). This means you can feel dryness or irritation when wearing your underwear or during everyday activities like walking or sitting.
Care and Treatment
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers diagnose vaginal dryness based on your medical history and a physical exam. To find the cause, your provider will ask about your symptoms and any medications you take. They may perform the following tests:
- Pelvic exam to view the inside of your vagina, which may be thin, dry, and red.
- Blood tests determine if hormone levels or a health condition is causing vaginal dryness.
Your provider may also test a sample of your vaginal discharge to rule out other causes or to check for signs of infection.
Treatment
There are many ways to treat vaginal dryness and pain during sex (dyspareunia) caused by vaginal dryness.
Medications
Medications work by either replacing or acting like estrogen in your body. They’re available with a prescription only.
- Low-dose estrogen cream, ring, or tablet: These medications work by replacing estrogen in your body. Creams and pills are applied directly into your vagina using an applicator. Most are prescribed for daily use until you find relief, then used weekly as needed. Estrogen-containing rings are placed into your vagina for up to three months and then replaced.
- Ospemifene (Osphena): This medication is called a selective estrogen modulator (SERM) and is taken by mouth. It acts like estrogen in your body and helps treat painful sex associated with vaginal atrophy.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is another medication that acts like estrogen in your body. It’s a vaginal suppository that helps with painful sex in menopausal people.
Make sure you talk to your doctor about the good and bad things that can happen if you take medicines with estrogen or estrogen-like substance. For example, Estrogen may be unsafe for people with breast cancer or at high risk.
Lubricants and moisturizers for vaginal dryness
Lubricants and moisturizers are available without a prescription and can be purchased at drug or grocery stores. They work by replenishing your vaginal tissue and making it wet, which can help with pain during sex. However, you shouldn’t use moisturizers (such as for your face or body) that aren’t meant for your vagina.
- Vaginal moisturizers: Apply vaginal moisturizers to the inside of your vagina every few days to keep your vaginal lining healthy. Some examples include Replens™, Luvena®, and KY® Liquibeads.
- Vaginal lubricants: Apply lubricants just before sexual intercourse to ease discomfort caused by sex. Astroglide® and KY® Jelly are examples of water-based vaginal lubricants. There are also silicone-based and oil-based lubricants.
- Vaginal Soothe (bath soak); You should take care of your genitals from the outside (vulva care). The soothe soak promotes healthy vulva skin, increases moisture and lubrications, and combats effects of irritation, vaginal itch, and discomfort around the vulva (available on Tielle website)
What foods increase female lubrication?
There isn’t much research about specific foods you should eat to increase vaginal lubrication. Drinking water and staying well-hydrated helps your body retain its moisture.
How can you manage vagina dryness naturally?
Natural oils such as grape seed, olive, vegetable, sunflower, or coconut may be a safe home remedy for vaginal dryness. Natural oils should be used as an external lubricant before intercourse. Keep in mind that oil-based lubricants can harm condoms. If you can get pregnant, only use water-based lubricants.
Some providers recommend regular sexual stimulation to help encourage your vaginal tissues to become moist. Another thing to try is a more extended period of foreplay before intercourse. Vaginal moisture is tied to arousal. Look for ways you and your partner can increase your pleasure before intercourse.
Avoid using douches, bubble baths, scented soaps, and lotions around the sensitive vaginal area. These products can worsen dryness. (per Cleveland clinic)