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How do you treat Vaginal Dryness? Believe it or not, 1 in 8 women experience vaginal dryness. There are ways to recognize the symptoms and find relief. We turned to our friends at FemmePharma to help us shed some light on this topic, and we’re glad we did! Check out their guest blog about Vaginal Dryness.

Experiencing discomfort related to vaginal dryness is fairly common depending on age and menopausal status, with a reported prevalence of 3 to 47% of women.1

What causes vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is most associated with perimenopause and menopause, but there may be other reasons for vaginal dryness.

  • Endometriosis treatments
  • Antihistamines
  • After childbirth
  • Breastfeeding
  • Oral contraceptive use
  • Antidepressant use (specifically SSRIs)
  • Breast Cancer treatment
  • Sjogren’s Syndrome

For many women, not only do they experience vaginal dryness, but they may also experience vaginal stenosis, vaginal atrophy, or vaginismus.

Vaginal stenosis is when the vaginal canal becomes narrower and shorter, possibly associated with vaginal dryness, thinning, and scar tissue. This condition may result from chemotherapy, surgery, or pelvic radiation, or hormonal changes. Vaginal stenosis will also cause pain during intercourse.

Vaginal atrophy occurs when there is a decrease in estrogen in the body, causing the vagina to become thinner, drier, and inflamed. Using a high-quality moisturizer daily may lead to an overall improvement in the vagina and vaginal health.

Vaginal dryness during sex

Some women may only experience vaginal dryness before, during, and or after intimacy. In fact,17% of women2 experience vaginal dryness that is unrelated to menopause. Vaginal dryness during sex can cause intimacy to be painful and may lead to lower sexual desire.

There may be a simple answer for vaginal dryness during sex, like not enough foreplay. Foreplay is essential to help the vagina naturally lubricate itself for penetrative sex. There are small glands at the opening of the vagina called Bartholin and Skene glands that secrete fluid to help lubricate the vagina. Supplementing with a personal lubricant before penetrative sex will help to minimize dryness, discomfort, and friction.

Persistent pain during sex is called dyspareunia. If painful intercourse persists, please speak with your healthcare provider.

What Does Vaginal Dryness Feel Like?

Vaginal dryness may be mild to severe. Mild dryness may be only an annoyance, but even moderate vaginal dryness can cause painful sex, a frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, and recurring urinary tract infections. Vaginal dryness may feel like:

  • Itching
  • Burning
  • Soreness
  • Tightness
  • Vulvar irritation
  • Pain around the vagina
  • Pain inside the vagina

How to treat vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is best treated with a vaginal moisturizer and personal lubricant. Vaginal moisturizers are intended to be used daily to help improve the vaginal tissue, elasticity, and pliability of the vagina. When applied, vaginal moisturizers adhere to the vaginal wall and to the mucosa, which promotes hydration and helps to stimulate lubrication.

When choosing a vaginal moisturizer and personal lubricant, be sure to look at the ingredients. Lubricants made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E help to draw moisture into the tissues and help keep it there. Always avoid flavored lubricants; they often contain glucose (sugar), which may increase your chances of developing yeast infections.

Mia Vita Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer is an FDA-cleared nonprescription relief from vaginal dryness. When used regularly, it can provide relief from vaginal burning, itching, and pain. It can also allow for more comfortable sex. Mia Vita Personal Lubricant & Moisturizer is a water-based lubricant that does not leak, drip, or cause a mess. With minimal volume, you receive maximum relief.

Milli device on bedside table 720The Milli Vaginal Dilator is also an FDA-cleared medical device used to treat vaginismus and related painful sex (dyspareunia). According to the Milli Vaginal Dilator instructions for use, water-based lubricants, like Mia Vita Personal Lubricant and Moisturizer, can be used prior to insertion. The Milli Vaginal Dilator has a silicone covering, so water-based lubricants are compatible and easy to wash off with soap and water and are recommended for silicone-coated devices. To receive more information about vaginismus and related painful sex, sign up for the Milli newsletter.

Sources:

  1. Dennerstein L, Dudley E, Hopper J, et al. A prospective population-based study of menopausal symptoms. Obstet Gynecol. 2000;96:351–358.
  2. Currie H. Vaginal dryness | women’s health concern. Women’s Health Concern. 2023. Accessed June 25, 2024. https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/25-WHC-FACTSHEET-VaginalDryness-OCT2023-B.pdf.

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