Vaginal dryness is a common issue that affects women of all ages but becomes increasingly prevalent with aging. It occurs when the vagina or vulva cannot lubricate or moisturize itself sufficiently. This leaves inner vaginal tissues and outer vulvar tissues prone to dryness, thinning, irritation, inflammation, and fragility. As a result, symptoms like soreness, stinging, burning, rawness, pain during intercourse, light bleeding after sex, painful urination, and more can occur.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
Hormonal changes are the most common culprit of vaginal dryness, like drops in estrogen and progesterone levels during perimenopause, after pregnancy and childbirth, while breastfeeding, and post-menopause. Surgical removal of ovaries also drastically lowers estrogen. These hormones heavily influence moisture production in vulvovaginal tissues. As they decline, tissues grow thinner, less elastic, more fragile, and prone to traumatic irritation.
Several other factors can also provoke, worsen, or perpetuate stubborn vaginal dryness, including:
- High stress levels.
- Dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
- Diabetes.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Breast cancer medicines like Tamoxifen.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
- Everyday chemical irritants and allergens.
- Some antidepressants and antihistamines.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Feminine hygiene products with perfumes, chemicals, etc.
- Sugary foods promote yeast infections.
- Soy sensitivity.
- Poor bladder control and recurring UTIs.
Symptoms and Complications
Early symptoms signaling insufficient vaginal lubrication include:
- Vulvar dryness, itching, stinging.
- Vaginal soreness and burning.
- Light spotting after intercourse.
- Pain during sexual penetration.
- Painful urination after sex sometimes.
- Repeat urinary tract infections.
As vaginal dryness worsens over time, symptoms become more bothersome unless treated early and consistently. Severely dried-out tissues can lead to:
- Intercourse growing severely painful.
- Tears, fissures, or scar tissue buildup.
- Trapped bacteria causing infections.
- Heavy spotting after sex.
- Loss of libido and arousal from fear of pain.
- General discomfort affecting sleep.
- Constant UTIs.
- Poor self-image and emotional health.
Non-Hormonal Self-Care Solutions
Trying simple self-help solutions for 3 to 6 months helps relieve mild to moderate vaginal dryness-related discomfort without medications. Useful tips include:
- Use Lubricants & Moisturizers: Water-based or silicone-based lubricants provide wonderfully slick moisture during intercourse without reacting with body tissues. But lubricants wash out fast. Special long-lasting non-hormone vaginal lubricants like LivRing are better for rebuilding chronically dry, fragile vaginal linings.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of water daily. Dehydration concentrates urine, upsetting the delicate pH balance of vulvovaginal tissues. Aim for hydrating fluids like fruit-infused water, herbal teas, electrolyte drinks, juices, and smoothies. Soups and water-rich fruits/veggies additionally boost fluid intake.
- Healthy Diet: Eat more fatty fish, leafy greens, berries, avocados, cruciferous vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, high-fiber grains, and yogurt. These foods counter inflammation while providing key nutrients, antioxidants, and plant compounds for tissue regeneration. Avoid excess sugars, soy, and irritative spices.
- Probiotic Foods/Supplements: Consume probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, miso, tempeh, etc. daily. Probiotic supplements, especially with Lactobacillus strains, also help restore healthy vaginal pH and microflora. This prevents the overgrowth of irritative organisms like yeast.
- Limit Chemical Irritants: Use fragrance-free laundry detergents and fabric softeners. Choose sanitary products without deodorants, colors, and bleaching agents. Avoid conventional shaving gels/foams and creams with alcohol, silicone, etc., which strip natural oils. Use a mirror and avoid blind shaving sensitive genital areas. Trim longer hair instead of shaving bald to minimize ingrown follicles. Switch from bubble baths to soothing sitz baths.
- Try Soothing Herbs: Aloe vera, calendula, and marshmallow root have emollient properties. Use vaginal creams containing these herbs or directly apply pure aloe gel from an aloe leaf firstly externally on irritated areas for some relief.
Conclusion
Implementing a multifaceted regimen tailored to individual symptoms is key to managing frustrating vaginal dryness. Seeking personalized medical advice remains vital in severe, unrelenting cases that hamper intimacy and daily living.
