Vaginal dryness

It’s not always possible to completely prevent or eradicate vaginal dryness, but there are lots of ways to reduce the risk of the condition and keep your symptoms under control. Here’s some of the most helpful ways to manage it: 

• Stay hydrated. If you drink plenty of water during the day, you overall hydration improves, which can help keep your vagina moisturised and healthy. 
• Maintain a healthy diet. Vaginal dryness can be caused by changes in your hormones, but if your diet has a balance of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and antioxidants, it helps keep your hormone levels even, which supports your vaginal health.
• Avoid irritating products. It’s best to avoid using scented soaps, douches, vaginal sprays or any other products that have harsh perfumes or other chemicals, because they can irritate your vaginal area.
• Manage stress. Your stress levels have a direct impact on your hormone levels, including the hormones that regulate vaginal dryness. If stress is affecting you, relaxation techniques can help you regulate your mood. 
• Stop smoking. Smoking can reduce blood flow to the vaginal tissues and disrupt the balance of your hormones, so stopping or reducing the amount you smoke may help ease your symptoms. 

A change in hormone levels is one of the most common causes of vaginal dryness, particularly a decrease in your oestrogen levels. This is common as you age or enter the perimenopause or menopause. 

Childbirth and breastfeeding can lead to vaginal dryness, or it can also be caused by increases in stress, or by certain medications, including antidepressants, contraceptives or allergy medicines. 

If you’ve had a hysterectomy, or been treated for cancer with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy or surgery, this can also be a cause.

If your vaginal dryness is mild, or infrequent, there are non-perfumed over-the-counter moisturisers that can help, and you can also use lubricants to help make sex more comfortable.

If it’s more persistent or serious, a GP may prescribe vaginal oestrogen or hormone replacement therapy to help restore your vaginal health. 

Yes, unfortunately it can. If your vagina doesn’t have enough natural moisture, that weakens its protective barrier, leaving you more susceptible to infections. 

Dry vaginal tissues are more fragile, more prone to irritation, and more likely to get microtears in the lining. Any tears in your vaginal tissue can allow harmful bacteria or fungi to enter and cause yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. 

The dryness can also irritate your urethra, and increase your chances of contracting a urinary tract infection (UTI). 

If your vaginal dryness does cause an infection, our specialist gynaecologists will provide the right support and treatment you need. With HCA UK, you're in safe hands.

Yes, it can. Vaginal dryness can make the tissue in your vaginal wall thinner and less elastic, which increases the risk of it becoming irritated or tearing, particularly during sex.  That thinness can also make you more susceptible to UTIs or yeast infections, which can lead to bleeding. 

If you’re concerned about your vaginal bleeding in any way, visit your GP or get in touch with us and we can help. 

It can be. When you get pregnant, your oestrogen levels drop, which can lead to vaginal dryness, and pregnancy can also reduce your libido, which can have a similar effect. However, vaginal dryness can be caused by wide variety of different factors, and it definitely isn’t a sure sign that you’re pregnant. 

If you’re concerned about your vaginal health or think you might be pregnant, it’s important to seek medical advice. 

Sudden vaginal dryness is common and can have several different causes. They include sudden hormone changes due to stress, breastfeeding, certain medications such as contraceptive pills or antidepressants, or by the onset of the menopause. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, please get in touch. 

It can feel like a tight, burning or itchy sensation in your vagina that might be particularly uncomfortable during sex. It may also cause some bleeding after sex. 

You might also experience some soreness in your vulva, develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a yeast infection, or feel the need to urinate more often.

Yes, it can. If your vaginal tissues lack moisture, it can lead to discomfort and pain during sex, a condition known as dyspareunia. This can mean you have less desire, or find intimacy more difficult, which can impact your sex life. 

If sex isn’t as enjoyable as you’d like, it can lead to anxiety and stress or impact your relationships. So, it’s important to recognise if vaginal dryness is causing these issues and get the treatment you need to start feeling more comfortable and restore pleasure and satisfaction to your sex life. 

Yes, you can. Several natural remedies can help restore your vaginal wetness. Coconut oil is a popular option, because it helps to moisturise the dry tissue, and it’s an anti-inflammatory too. Vitamin E also has a similar dual effect, and you can use it either a topical oil or take supplements. Some women also use aloe vera gel, which has soothing and hydrating effects. 

You should always talk to a healthcare specialist before you try any natural remedies, to make sure they’re safe for you and your specific condition.

It’s very common. Vaginal dryness can be embarrassing to talk about, so it’s likely that many cases don’t get reported, but it’s thought that anywhere between one third and one half of all women experience some vaginal dryness when they’re going through the perimenopause and after the menopause. There are multiple treatment options, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any concerns and we’ll be able to help.