Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Vaginal dryness can occur at any time during a woman’s adult life, but it is most common duringperimenopause, menopause, and when a woman is breastfeeding. Vaginal dryness may result in intermittent or constant discomfort, and it can cause sex to be painful. Usually, it can be treated with over-the-counter remedies or rethinking some self-care practices, but vaginal dryness can also be a sign of a health problem requiring medical attention.
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The most common cause of vaginal dryness is thedecreased production of estrogen, as the hormone plays a role in maintaining lubrication both during sex and at other times. This dip reliably occurs as a result of:
That said, there are other possible reasons for vaginal dryness. These may cause the issue on their own or compound the effects of lowered estrogen.
Lifestyle
Several things you may do as a matter of routine that may cause vaginal dryness to include:
Excessive alcohol consumption can also have this effect.
Medical Problems and Treatments
Systemic conditions such as pituitary disease, diabetes, ovarian or uterine conditions, or removal of the uterus or ovaries through surgery, can alter estrogen levels, causing a variety of symptoms, including vaginal dryness.Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, is also commonly associated with vaginal dryness.
Sometimes, medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy can cause dehydration, which may cause vaginal dryness.
It may seem odd to explore the symptoms of vaginal dryness since dryness itself is the logical calling card of the condition. But there are others that can arise, which you may not immediately associate as being connected to this issue. They include:
The symptoms are most likely to occur during or after sex and can last up to several days after intercourse. However, symptoms can occur intermittently, even without sex a precipitating factor.
In working to discover the reason for your vaginal dryness, your healthcare provider will consider factors such as your age, habits, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
When a medical condition is the cause of vaginal dryness, your healthcare provider is likely to recognize this possibility because such concerns are usually associated with other symptoms that are often more noticeable than vaginal dryness itself.
For example, Sjögren’s disease can also cause joint pain, dry eyes, and dry skin.The hormonal fluctuations that can occur as a result of ovarian or uterine conditions may manifest with symptoms that are similar to those of menopause such as menstrual irregularities, breast soreness, or weight changes, in addition to vaginal dryness.
Generally, hormone levels and diagnostic testing, such as ultrasound, can distinguish the conditions.
If you have symptoms of vaginal dryness before you have reached the age of perimenopause, which typically does not begin before age 45, you should see your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness can also overlap with symptoms of infection, so it is best to have your healthcare provider identify and treat an infection if you have one.
There are several prescription and non-prescription treatments that can help improve symptoms or treat the underlying cause ofvaginal dryness. Your healthcare provider may suggest one or more, depending on your circumstance.
Over-the-Counter Options
Treatment options include:
Always choose a water-based vaginal lubricant. Never use a petroleum-based product such as Vaseline for vaginal lubrication, because this can create a breeding ground for infection.
If you are having protected sex using a condom, make sure you are using water-based or silicone-based lubricant. Other lubricants and oils,like coconut oil, will degrade the condom and may also damage diaphragms used for birth control.
Prescription Medications
If you are suffering from chronic vaginal dryness related to perimenopause or menopause, your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical medication to increase estrogen. Vaginal estrogens provide the most effective relief of vaginal dryness of all treatment options, but they are not appropriate for everyone.
Vaginal Estrogens
Women who use vaginal estrogens may experience fewerrecurrent urinary tract infections. Though helpful for many, it is not safe to use estrogen products if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history or risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, cervical or vaginal cancer, or if you have vaginal bleeding.
Non-Estrogen Medications
Though not recommended or used to treat vaginal dryness itself, there are non-estrogen medications thatcan be used to relieve some of the symptoms associated with the condition. These medications are not as commonly used as estrogen-containing medications, and, though they may be considered an option for women who can’t take estrogen due to a history of cancer, their hormonal effects can produce side effects. Speak with your healthcare provider about the pros and cons for you.
Women who are experiencing menopause may benefit from over-the-counter, prescription, ornatural treatmentsfor related symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about your options.
A Word From Verywell
Often, women say that most distressing aspect of vaginal dryness is that it interferes with sexual enjoyment and causes discomfort during or after sex. Feeling stressed or rushed when having sex can exacerbate the issue. Relaxing and taking time for arousal may help.
5 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.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal Dryness.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginitis.Arthritis Foundation.Sjögren’s Syndrome and Your Body.Harvard Medical School.Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis).Naumova I, Castelo-Branco C.Current treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy.Int J Womens Health. 2018;10:387–395. Published 2018 Jul 31. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S158913
5 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.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal Dryness.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginitis.Arthritis Foundation.Sjögren’s Syndrome and Your Body.Harvard Medical School.Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis).Naumova I, Castelo-Branco C.Current treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy.Int J Womens Health. 2018;10:387–395. Published 2018 Jul 31. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S158913
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.
Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal Dryness.Cleveland Clinic.Vaginitis.Arthritis Foundation.Sjögren’s Syndrome and Your Body.Harvard Medical School.Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis).Naumova I, Castelo-Branco C.Current treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy.Int J Womens Health. 2018;10:387–395. Published 2018 Jul 31. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S158913
Cleveland Clinic.Vaginal Dryness.
Cleveland Clinic.Vaginitis.
Arthritis Foundation.Sjögren’s Syndrome and Your Body.
Harvard Medical School.Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis).
Naumova I, Castelo-Branco C.Current treatment options for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy.Int J Womens Health. 2018;10:387–395. Published 2018 Jul 31. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S158913
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