Vaginal Dryness and Solutions: It doesn't have to be the Sahara Desert after all

This is an excerpt from the Peri Post, our weekly newsletter.

Don't miss out, sign-up here AND get your free 4-Step Guide to Navigating Perimenopause.

Feb 20, 2025 

Last week, I casually mentioned putting vaginal estrogen on your face… but we haven’t even talked about vaginal estrogen in the first place.

Or our vaginas!

So let’s change that.

Vaginal health is necessary for your overall health. From reproduction to sex, healthy bacteria and bodily functions - it does a lot of things for us.

Yet vaginal dryness is one of those perimenopause symptoms that no one wants to talk about, but is quite common. Vaginal dryness can have a negative impact on your quality of life - perhaps most noticeably when it comes to sex. When your body isn’t producing enough natural lubrication, sex can go from something you enjoy to something painful… maybe even impossible. 

You may find yourself avoiding intimacy altogether, not because you don’t love your partner (or sex), but because the discomfort or tearing (yes, that can happen) is too much to bear.

And if you're like me, you might start to doubt your womanhood.

If any of this sounds familiar, please know - you are not alone.

And thankfully, the sahara desert of sex does not have to be your new normal!

There are many solutions to combating vaginal dryness, and we outline some of them below.

But first - what’s even happening down there?  SYMPTOM: VAGINAL DRYNESS

Estrogen plays a key role in keeping your vaginal tissue healthy.

It is responsible for maintaining natural lubrication, tissue elasticity, and acidity. 

Typically, your vaginal lining is thick and elastic, thanks to a continuous supply of moisture. 

But as estrogen levels decline, so does lubrication - leading to thinner, drier, and even fragile vaginal walls. (See illustration below)

The name for it: vaginal atrophy.

The National Cancer Institute defines vaginal atrophy as: "A condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the vagina (birth canal) become thin, dry, and inflamed."

And while vaginal atrophy definitely affects sex, it can also spill over into your daily life. Some women experience itching and irritation when doing basic things like putting on underwear, walking, or even sitting.

Trust me, an itching spell at the office is NOT fun. 

It’s common for vaginal atrophy to bring along urinary symptoms as well, a combination known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). 

Symptoms associated with vaginal dryness include: ✔️ Burning and itching ✔️ Bleeding after sex ✔️ Soreness ✔️ Recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) ✔️ Frequent urination ✔️ Even a shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal over time

Unsurprisingly, it is believed that vaginal dryness is highly under reported by women. I can think of a million reasons why - from shame to not prioritizing our own sex lives.

But DON’T settle for that!

Not only is this a common issue, it’s also one of the easiest symptoms to treat.

Finally! A win! 🎉 SOLUTIONS FOR VAGINAL DRYNESS

Solutions for vaginal dryness run from natural to prescription, immediate relief to long(er) term resilience.

Whether you need a little extra moisture, some targeted estrogen therapy, or just a new lube, you have options.

NON-PRESCRIPTION SOLUTIONS

NATURAL OILS:

I use coconut oil as a body moisturizer during the dry winter months, but I have friends that also swear by it for sex.

Other natural oils might include grape seed oil, hemp oil, and vitamin E oil.

NOTE: If you are using condoms, you can’t combine them with oil-based lubricants. The oils break down the latex leading to condom failure.

SUPPOSITORIES:

Olivia, our health and hormone expert, recommends these all-natural, hydrating suppositories to her patients.

You can order them right on Amazon: Bezwecken Hydration Ovals!

Directions: Insert 1 daily, continue for at least 2 weeks, and then continue every other day for another 2 weeks. Your body should start producing its own moisture with continued use.

Note: There are additional strengths and formulations from this manufacturer.

LUBRICANTS:

You probably grew up with Astroglide and KY, but lubes have come a long way since then.

Today, source ones that are free of alcohol, fragrance, glycerin, and paraben. You also don’t want ones targeting ”stimulate or arouse” as these additives can make burning worse.

I personally use Good Clean Love but am ready to try new ones.

Hit me with recos!

CREMES:

Should be applied as you would a face cream - with clean hands and rubbed in.

I’ve never tried one but I like the look of this one from a brand called Womenness. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture.

PRESCRIPTION ESTROGEN.

Prescription Estrogen has the benefits associated with HRT: it is FDA approved and uses bioidentical hormones.

It can come in a creme, ring, or tablet/suppository.

I personally chose this route because I wanted the overall benefits of localized estrogen.

And yes, this is what my friend rubs on her face.

(Missed that email, you can read it here.)

So lube up and enjoy yourself!