Effective Home Remedies For Vaginal Dryness

Introduction

Many women might feel vaginal dryness at some point in their lifetime. Vaginal dryness is a common problem that women may feel shy about communicating with their doctors. Still, if it affects their daily lives, medical help is necessary.¹ A gland present in the womb (cervical gland) is responsible for producing natural lubrication in the vagina. It helps keep the vagina moist and clean.² Factors like some medications, a decrease in hormone levels, or breastfeeding can lead to the symptoms of vaginal dryness. It can cause pain, burning sensation, and irritation when women engage in intercourse.¹ Vaginal dryness can affect all women, but it is more common in menopausal women in their 50s.²  

If you are someone experiencing vaginal dryness, you are not alone. So don’t shy away from getting medical help. It’ll help you lead a comfortable life. 

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

Most of the time, vaginal dryness results from decreased levels of the female hormone called estrogen. Vaginal dryness can also develop in people undergoing treatment for some other condition. Some common causes of vaginal dryness are: 

• Breastfeeding  
• Childbirth  
• If you’re on birth control pills 
• Menopause  
• Having your ovaries removed  
• If you are receiving therapy for cancer, including chemotherapy or receiving hormonal treatment 
• If you are on anti-estrogen medication (used to treat endometriosis or uterine fibroids) 
• Medicines like antihistamines (anti-allergic used for itchy eyes or runny nose treatment) or antidepressants  
• An autoimmune disorder is called Sjogren’s syndrome. This disorder can cause dryness in the whole body.¹   

Other factors that can cause vaginal dryness are:  

• If you use scented soaps, douches, or washes around your vagina  
• If you are not aroused during sex³  

Also Read: Home Remedies For Vaginal Itching

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, it can be accompanied by other symptoms like:  

• Soreness or itchiness around the vagina  
• Feeling the urge to pee more often  
• Frequent urinary tract infections  
• Discomfort or pain during sex³  

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Period Pain

Home Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

Below are remedies you can use at home to help with vaginal dryness. These remedies might help you manage the symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening. Before using these herbal remedies, consult with your healthcare professional and get the necessary diagnosis.  

1. Coconut Oil 

You can use a natural oil such as coconut oil to help relieve vaginal dryness.¹ Virgin coconut oil is the natural oil obtained from mature coconuts. It has many health benefits, and it may be used to relieve dry skin. Coconut oil is a natural emollient (skin soothing) and might help moisturise the skin.⁴ You can apply coconut oil evenly to the vagina by massaging slowly. Make sure to clean your hands first before you touch your private parts.    

2. Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil has been used to deal with dry skin conditions historically. Almond oil might impart many beneficial effects to the skin. It also has natural emollient property.⁵ You may use this natural herbal oil to help get rid of vaginal dryness.¹ First, clean your hands. Almond oil can be applied around the vagina to get rid of vaginal dryness. Make sure your vagina is clean and dry before you apply oil.    

3. Olive Oil

Olive contains vitamin E, which is good for maintaining and improving skin hydration and increasing its water holding capacity. Loss of water from the skin surface is associated with the skin layer called the stratum corneum.⁶ Loss of water can make the skin dry. Olive oil might be beneficial in getting relief from dry skin.¹ Take some olive oil and massage it in and around the vagina. You need to wash your hands first before you apply the oil.    

4. Soy

Soy contains chemical compounds which have many health benefits. Dietary supplementation with soy might be helpful in improving menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness, but more studies are needed to support its use.⁷ You can add soy and soy products to your foods and dishes to get the benefits. 

5. Vaginal Moisturisers

You can try a vaginal moisturiser to help with vaginal dryness.¹ Using a vaginal moisturiser can help you lock in moisture in and around the vagina and aid in dealing with vaginal dryness. These moisturisers are usually of two types, internal and external. Internal moisturisers are inserted inside a vagina. External vaginal moisturisers are used for the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals).⁸  

6. Water-Based Lubricants 

You may use any water-based lubricant before intercourse to get rid of vaginal dryness. These lubricants might provide short-term moisturisation.^1,3 Lubricants might be applied in and around the vagina or on your partner’s penis to avoid any discomfort during sex and help get rid of vaginal dryness.³    

7. Try Foreplay Before Sex  

Vaginal moisture during sex depends on arousal. Before indulging in sexual intercourse, try more extended foreplay. Enjoying more foreplay could help you get more aroused during sex and help prevent vaginal dryness. Bartholin’s gland present at the entrance of the vagina produce moisture during sexual arousal.^2,3  

8. Avoid Scented Products  

Avoid using heavily perfumed soap, cleanser or lotion in and around your vagina. These chemicals can cause irritation and lead to dryness of your vagina. Always use perfumes-free soaps and lotions for your vagina. Using perfumed soaps, douches, or cleansers for your vagina is one of the factors responsible for causing vaginal dryness.³ 

Though there are studies that show the benefits of the given home remedies in dealing with vaginal dryness, these are insufficient. There is a need for large-scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken with caution and never as a substitute for medical treatment.    

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies For Breast Pain

When to Seek Medical Help?

Some women might feel embarrassed to talk to their doctors about vaginal dryness. Still, vaginal dryness is a pretty common condition, and many treatment options are available.^1. You can contact your healthcare provider if:  

• You notice bleeding or any unusual discharge from your vagina 
• You experience vaginal dryness for weeks, and the home remedies are not working out 
• The vaginal dryness is affecting your daily activities 
• You notice vaginal bleeding in between your periods or after you have had sex³ 

 You must not rely on home remedies alone for the management of vaginal dryness and should consult a doctor for any advice if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies.   

Conclusion

Vaginal dryness can affect any woman, but menopausal women in their 50s are more prone to it. This symptom is quite common, and many women face it at some point in their lives, so don’t hesitate to receive medical help if it affects your daily activities. In addition, there are some things you can do at home to deal with dryness in private parts. For example, using natural herbal oils such as coconut, olive, or almond oil might help you get rid of vaginal dryness. Still, these should be used after consulting with a healthcare professional. Also, if you feel any irritation after using home remedies, stop its usage and reach out to a healthcare professional.  

Don’t let embarrassment get in your way of living a happier and more comfortable life.    

Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Dry Lips

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

References: 

1. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Dryness: Causes & Treatment [Internet]. [Cited 2022 Jun 6]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21027-vaginal-dryness 

2. Women’s Health Concern. Vaginal dryness – Women’s Health Concern [Internet]. [Cited 2022 Jun 7]. Available from: https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/vaginal-dryness/ 

3. NHS. Vaginal dryness [Internet]. [Cited 2022 Jun 6]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-dryness/ 

4. Mota AH, Silva CO, Nicolai M, Baby A, Palma L, Rijo P, et al. Design and evaluation of novel topical formulation with olive oil as natural functional active. Pharm Dev Technol [Internet]. 2018 Sep 14 [cited 2022 Jun 6];23(8):794–805. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28598234/ 

5. Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, Voortman T, Kunutsor S, Kavousi M, et al. Use of Plant-Based Therapies and Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA [Internet]. 2016 Jun 21 [cited 2022 Jun 7];315(23):2554–63. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27327802/ 

6. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need to Know. [Internet]. [Cited 2022 Jun 7]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/experiencing-vaginal-dryness-heres-what-you-need-to-know 

7. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Vaginal dryness [Internet]. [Cited 2022 Jun 7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000892.htm 

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