Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

by Courtney Virden

Vaginal Dryness from birth control leaves you wanting vaginal dryness moistureizers.

As a pelvic floor trainer, I’m used to women talking openly with me about vaginal health. I often hear, “This is so embarrassing, and I haven’t told anyone else.” So many women are suffering from vaginal dryness.

Ladies, you should never be embarrassed to discuss any issues you have. Bladder leakage, vaginal infections, vaginal atrophy, and painful intercourse, are pretty common and nothing to be quiet about.

Two commons causes of vaginal dryness are birth control and hormones. Once you open up, you’ll realize how many other women are experiencing the same thing. The more we share the more we can help ourselves and others.

Vaginal dryness impacts one in five women; during and after menopause, that number skyrockets to half of all women. Dryness during pregnancy is also common, and there is help. Women with vaginismus and dryness can experience painful intercourse and vaginal burning after sex.

Are there natural remedies for vaginal dryness? Knowing what causes this issue and its symptoms is a good idea. If you suddenly find yourself dryer than the Sahara, you will also need vaginal dryness natural remedies.

Vaginal Dryness Symptoms

One common symptom of vaginal dryness is painful intercourse. This symptom can also stem from other issues, including pelvic floor problems. If the cause is vaginal dryness, lube will usually alleviate this pain.

Frequently, women who experience painful intercourse end up trying to avoid sex, which can harm their relationship.

Some women with vaginal dryness experience symptoms such as:

Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) that will not go away
Itching, burning, and discomfort in the vagina and vaginal area
Chaffing or tearing of the inner labia
Light bleeding after intercourse

Most Common Cause of Vaginal Dryness In Women

The most common cause of vaginal dryness is a drop in estrogen levels, but there are many other reasons why you might be dry.

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone, produced primarily in a woman’s ovaries. Estrogen helps regulate moisture in the vagina. It keeps tissues healthy and elastic.

Estrogen levels drop during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast cancer treatments or ovary removal, and specific immune disorders can also impact our estorgen levels. Peri and post-menopause alters our estrogen greatly. This often contributes to what is called vaginal atrophy, weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.

That is why vaginal dryness during pregnancy is quite common. When not warned by a doctor, many new moms are shocked to encounter a dry vagina during pregnancy.

Do Medication and Birth Control Cause Vaginal Dryness?

While most vaginal dryness is from hormones, hygiene and medications are the culprit for many women.

Certain medications can cause vaginal dryness including:

Birth control pills (throw off a woman’s estrogen/progestin balance). A copper IUD is non-hormonal and will not do this.
Antihistamines (they decrease mucus production in cells throughout the body, including the vagina)
Antidepressants
Asthma medications

These medications might leave you looking for treatment options for the dryness they create. If you think your vaginal dryness might be from your medication, talk to your doctor. Together, you can look for a possible alternative.

If you do take birth control, vaginal dryness is associated with many popular brands. However, do not don’t stop taking any medication or switch on your own).

Other Common Causes of Vaginal Dryness

Douching
Dehydration
Irritants (such as soaps, perfumes, and hygiene products)
Insufficient arousal can also cause vaginal dryness in some women

Interestingly, low libido and other sexual problems can lead to vaginal dryness; conversely, vaginal dryness can lead to low libido. Stress and anxiety affect our sexual desire and may lead to vaginal dryness. Most of the moms I work with are chronically stressed.

If you’re a mom, you know that while it’s the most rewarding job in the world, it can also be stressful. Take care of yourself and reduce stress with proven methods, including exercise, meditation, or prayer. This is essential for your mental and physical well-being.

What you can do:

Pelvic floor exercises can also help women with an at-home remedy for atrophy. Those searching for how to create natural lubrication can often find relief. Pelvic floor exercises improve circulation to the vagina and pelvic floor. The bonus is that it can take your orgasms to an entirely new level.

For pain-free intercourse with vaginal dryness, most women need the help of a lubricant. A personal lubricant is used during sexual activities to make them more pleasurable or to provide necessary lubrication. Water-based lube, silicone lubes, and oil-based lube are types of vaginal lubricants.

It is important to note that if you use condoms, you should avoid oil based lubricants, which can break latex condoms. Stick to water based lubricants or silicone lubricants if you use them.

In addition to lubrication for intercourse, some women notice an improvement after moisturizing their vagina a few times a week. Vaginal moisturizers are designed to be applied just as a lotion or cream elsewhere on the body would be.

Some women use aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid as a vaginal moisturizer. If you constantly feel dry, you might try a moisturizer in addition to lube. Petroleum jelly is not something I would recommend for vaginal tissue or elsewhere. When using any beauty or hygiene product on or in my body, I prefer non-toxic options.

A personal lubricant is used during sexual activities to make them more pleasurable or to provide necessary lubrication. Water-based lube, silicone lubes, and oil-based lube are types of vaginal lubricants. There are so many on the market, but it’s important to note that if you use condoms, you should avoid oil based lubricants, which can break latex condoms.

In addition to lubrication for intercourse, some women notice an improvement after moisturizing their vagina a few times a week. Vaginal moisturizers are designed to be applied just as a lotion or cream elsewhere on the body would be. Some women use aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid as a vaginal moisturizer. If you constantly feel dry, you might try a moisturizer in addition to lube. When using any beauty or hygiene product on or in my body, I prefer non-toxic options.

Here’s a list of some of the best lubricants for vaginal dryness.

No matter what the cause, there are options. So instead of feeling dry and having sensitive skin, take control and help make your vagina comfortable and moisturized. As women, we tend to be busy and ignore some issues until they are so bad we can no longer ignore them. Vaginal health and any vaginal issues should not be something we as women ignore. So please, ensure your vagina is healthy.