Vaginal dryness is a painful symptom that many people may experience at some point during their lives. This symptom can be caused by a decrease in hormone levels, breastfeeding or certain medications. It's commonly linked to menopause. Treatment options for vaginal dryness typically depend on the cause.
Moisturizers and lubricants often help.
For vaginal dryness by itself, I recommend trying over-the-counter moisturizers and lubricants. Vaginal moisturizers add moisture around and inside the vagina. There are two types. Internal moisturizers are inserted into the vagina, where they help build up vaginal tissue.
Water helps to keep your joints lubricated and flexible; the Synovial fluid that directly lubricates your joints is made up primarily of water. This fluid reduces the friction between joints and helps to maintain healthy tissue and joints.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
feel sore or itchy in and around your vagina. feel pain or discomfort during sex. need to pee more often than usual. keep getting urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Did you know that dehydration can take a big toll on our vaginal health as well? If you're not drinking enough water, your skin is prone to dryness- this doesn't exclude your vaginal skin.
There are many reasons why you may be experiencing vaginal dryness, but the main cause is changes in the levels of estrogen and other hormones in the body. Estrogen levels can change due to menopause, certain medicines, and childbirth. All of these changes affect the way your vagina gets wet during sex.
Will Dryness Go Away on Its Own? Unlike hot flashes, your dryness won't get better by itself. In fact, your symptoms may get worse without treatment. And your vagina may start to itch or feel dry all the time, not just during sex.
It can cause dryness and/or discomfort.
With stress on your mind, hormone levels will begin to shift—as cortisol rises, testosterone (essential for your libido) will dip. On top of that, your body won't be sending enough blood down there to increase moisture, so vaginal dryness and/or discomfort is more likely.
Urinary Tract Infections UTIs and dehydration can sometimes cause urine to smell, which can in turn create an odor (sometimes likened to the smell of bleach or ammonia) in the vaginal area.
The most common treatment for vaginal dryness due to low estrogen levels is topical estrogen therapy. These replace some of the hormone your body is no longer making.
Typically, the vagina lubricates itself thanks to fluids secreted by Bartholin glands near the opening of the vagina, and the Skene glands close to the urethra, when you have sex. However, if you suffer from vaginal dryness it can make sex uncomfortable.
Vaginal lubrication is reliant upon healthy blood flow because vaginal lubrication is ultrafiltrated blood. The vagina contains no glands. Blood pressure pushes fluid from the capillaries through intracellular gap junctions between vaginal epithelial cells.
Vaginal tissue is naturally moist. Fluid from the cervix and secretions from the Bartholin glands — two pea sized glands at the entrance to the vagina — help keep the vagina lubricated. During arousal, the Bartholin glands secrete extra fluid to reduce friction.
Getting a wet vagina isn't just something that happens in the lead-up to sexual activity. In fact, your vagina lubricates itself pretty regularly. It happens due to a fluid produced by cells within the vaginal walls.