Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWild Yam CreamBlack CohoshKudzuSoyOther Solutions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Wild Yam Cream

Black Cohosh

Kudzu

Soy

Other Solutions

Vaginal dryness is common after menopause, but you can experience vaginal dryness at any age. Dryness can lead to other symptoms like itching and burning, all of which can make sex painful. The situation can also result in having to urinate more often.

Black cohosh plant growing outdoors close up

Vaginal Dryness Causes

In most cases,vaginal drynessresults from lower estrogen levels. As you age, less estrogen also means less moisture in your vaginal walls.

The dryness is often associated withvaginal atrophy, also known as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). Numbers vary, but if you’re between the ages of 40 and 45, you have a 20% chance of experiencing vaginal dryness. If you’re post-menopausal, you have about a 66% chance of developing this condition—also known asgenitourinarysyndrome(GSM).

There are no natural “cures” for age-related vaginal dryness, but there are some ways to increase wetness naturally. Any promises of curing vaginal dryness should be considered false advertising.

Sometimes dryness isn’t related to aging. Estrogen levels may also drop due to:

Hormonal changes in pregnancy or breastfeeding can also change your vagina’s moisture.

Will drinking more water help with vaginal dryness?

Creams made withwild yamare often marketed as a natural source ofestrogen. Estrogen is a sex hormone that affects the health of your vagina.

So far, there’s no evidence that applying wild yam cream on your skin boosts estrogen. There’s also no proof it can ease dryness.

The herb black cohosh is often used for menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

In a 2016 research review, researchers found no evidence that black cohosh easedmenopausesymptoms.To date, there’s no science to support usingblack cohoshto help with vaginal dryness, either.

At least one older study showed that kudzu might help with vaginal dryness, but more recent research conflicts with those results.

For example, a 2016 review of the research found no evidence that kudzu relieved vaginal dryness or helped with other menopause symptoms.

Non-Western medical practices such as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda also use certain herbs and other plants to support vaginal health, including lubrication. They include Shatavari root,Chinese asparagus,licorice root,calendula, and comfrey.

Soycontains isoflavones, which act like weak estrogens in the body. They are thought to help improve vaginal dryness.

Although researchers are looking into the benefits of a diet rich in soy foods (such as tofu) for vaginal health, it is unclear how much or what kind of soy might help.

Can diet help vaginal dryness?A 2014 study involving 731 women found that those who ate an apple a day had better sex lives, including more vaginal lubrication.However, more research is needed to know exactly how apples and other foods might contribute to healthy sexual function.

Can diet help vaginal dryness?

A 2014 study involving 731 women found that those who ate an apple a day had better sex lives, including more vaginal lubrication.However, more research is needed to know exactly how apples and other foods might contribute to healthy sexual function.

Vaginal dryness may be a sign of another health problem, such as an infection. For that reason, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider if you have other symptoms.

Treatments usually include estrogen-based creams, moisturizers, and water-based lubricants. Your vagina is sensitive. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before you self-treat with any alternative medicine.

What is the best natural lubricant for female dryness?Certain vegetable oils are effective lubricants, including avocado,coconut, peanut, and olive oils. However, if you’re using latex condoms to prevent pregnancy or infection, these oils will cause them to degrade and be less effective.

What is the best natural lubricant for female dryness?

Certain vegetable oils are effective lubricants, including avocado,coconut, peanut, and olive oils. However, if you’re using latex condoms to prevent pregnancy or infection, these oils will cause them to degrade and be less effective.

Summary

There’s some evidence that kudzu and soy may help, but more research is needed to know for sure.

Vaginal dryness can cause pain during sex and other problems. For now, you may find more relief using an estrogen cream, lubricant, or a moisturizer made especially for the vagina.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Waetjen LE, Crawford SL, Chang PY, et al.Factors associated with developing vaginal dryness symptoms in women transitioning through menopause: A longitudinal study.Menopause. 2018;25(10):1094-1104. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001130Kingsberg SA, Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S.The women’s EMPOWER survey: Identifying women’s perceptions on vulvar and vaginal atrophy and its treatment.J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):413-424. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.010British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.National Library of Medicine.Vaginal dryness alternative treatments.Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al.Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA.2016;315(23):2554–2563. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8012Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Theppisai U, Theppisai H.Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health.Menopause. 2007;14(5):919–924. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3180399486Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL.Botanicals and their bioactive phytochemicals for women’s health.Pharmacol Rev. 2016;68(4):1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843Romm A, Hardy ML, Mills S.Chapter 23: Menopausal health. In:Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, 2d Edition.Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Jul;290(1):93-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x.UpToDate.Patient education: Vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Waetjen LE, Crawford SL, Chang PY, et al.Factors associated with developing vaginal dryness symptoms in women transitioning through menopause: A longitudinal study.Menopause. 2018;25(10):1094-1104. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001130Kingsberg SA, Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S.The women’s EMPOWER survey: Identifying women’s perceptions on vulvar and vaginal atrophy and its treatment.J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):413-424. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.010British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.National Library of Medicine.Vaginal dryness alternative treatments.Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al.Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA.2016;315(23):2554–2563. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8012Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Theppisai U, Theppisai H.Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health.Menopause. 2007;14(5):919–924. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3180399486Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL.Botanicals and their bioactive phytochemicals for women’s health.Pharmacol Rev. 2016;68(4):1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843Romm A, Hardy ML, Mills S.Chapter 23: Menopausal health. In:Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, 2d Edition.Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Jul;290(1):93-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x.UpToDate.Patient education: Vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Waetjen LE, Crawford SL, Chang PY, et al.Factors associated with developing vaginal dryness symptoms in women transitioning through menopause: A longitudinal study.Menopause. 2018;25(10):1094-1104. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001130Kingsberg SA, Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S.The women’s EMPOWER survey: Identifying women’s perceptions on vulvar and vaginal atrophy and its treatment.J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):413-424. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.010British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.National Library of Medicine.Vaginal dryness alternative treatments.Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al.Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA.2016;315(23):2554–2563. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8012Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Theppisai U, Theppisai H.Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health.Menopause. 2007;14(5):919–924. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3180399486Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL.Botanicals and their bioactive phytochemicals for women’s health.Pharmacol Rev. 2016;68(4):1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843Romm A, Hardy ML, Mills S.Chapter 23: Menopausal health. In:Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, 2d Edition.Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Jul;290(1):93-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x.UpToDate.Patient education: Vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).

Waetjen LE, Crawford SL, Chang PY, et al.Factors associated with developing vaginal dryness symptoms in women transitioning through menopause: A longitudinal study.Menopause. 2018;25(10):1094-1104. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001130

Kingsberg SA, Krychman M, Graham S, Bernick B, Mirkin S.The women’s EMPOWER survey: Identifying women’s perceptions on vulvar and vaginal atrophy and its treatment.J Sex Med. 2017;14(3):413-424. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.010

British Menopause Society.Vaginal dryness.

National Library of Medicine.Vaginal dryness alternative treatments.

Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al.Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.JAMA.2016;315(23):2554–2563. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8012

Manonai J, Chittacharoen A, Theppisai U, Theppisai H.Effect of Pueraria mirifica on vaginal health.Menopause. 2007;14(5):919–924. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e3180399486

Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL.Botanicals and their bioactive phytochemicals for women’s health.Pharmacol Rev. 2016;68(4):1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843

Romm A, Hardy ML, Mills S.Chapter 23: Menopausal health. In:Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, 2d Edition.

Cai T, Gacci M, Mattivi F, et al.Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2014 Jul;290(1):93-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x.

UpToDate.Patient education: Vaginal dryness (beyond the basics).

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