10 Natural Remedies to Relieve Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a fairly common condition among women and, in most cases, it’s due to hormonal alterations.
In general, there’s a thin layer of mucus that lines the walls of the vagina in order to provide an alkaline and useful environment that allows it to fulfill its functions. But, do you know how to relieve vaginal dryness when it appears? Read more in this article and find out everything you need to know.
What Causes Vaginal Dryness?
Lubrication of the vagina helps reduce friction during sexual intercourse and provides a conducive environment for sperm to survive on their journey to the uterus.
As women age, hormonal changes can cause the vaginal wall to thin and reduce the number of cells responsible for producing moisture. Although these chances are an important cause, there are other factors to consider and we’ll mention them below:
- The decrease in estrogens during perimenopause.
- The consumption of some drugs.
- Douching, creams, or lotions for use in the intimate area.
Clinical manifestations of vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness can cause discomfort in the entire pelvic region and the symptoms are the following:
- Burning
- Loss of interest in sex
- Slight bleeding after intercourse
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal stinging or itching
- Pain when having sexual intercourse
Natural remedies to relieve vaginal dryness
While there are several over-the-counter lubricants to improve this condition, there are also some natural remedies that you can implement today.
1. Avoid douching
The vagina is made up of beneficial bacteria that live in a delicate balance with the rest of the flora. Douching tends to alter this ecosystem, predisposing it to the development of infections by different germs.
In addition, this organ has its own cleaning mechanism and doesn’t require douches or aromatic soaps to improve its natural characteristics.
2. Supplement with phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are substances with a structure similar to that of estrogens in the body and perform the same functions. They’re found in certain vegetables, such as nuts, soybeans, seeds, and tofu.
According to a review of in Post Reproductive Health, these compounds help maintain a healthy and functional vagina.
3. Have sex regularly
Some lifestyle changes can help combat the discomfort of vaginal dryness.
Along these lines, maintaining regular sexual activity increases blood flow to these tissues and stimulates the production of vaginal secretions.
4. Avoid certain hygiene products
The vast majority of personal hygiene products are made up of fragrances and dyes that cause vaginal dryness and irritation.
Very aggressive chemicals aren’t the most suitable for these delicate areas of women. Therefore, the use of intimate gels that maintain a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, which is common in the vagina, is recommended.
You may be interested: How intimate hygiene should be during pregnancy
5. Restrict tobacco use
Smoking isn¿t good for the skin or the mucous membranes. In fact, smoking limits the body’s production of estrogen, leading to vaginal dryness.
In addition, tobacco causes arteriosclerosis and this further reduces the blood flow necessary for genital lubrication. In the long run, it also causes the atrophy of this organ.
6. Stay properly hydrated
Experts recommend drinking enough liquid during the day to keep the body properly hydrated. Ideally, you should drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water daily to avoid dehydration.
7. Manage your stress levels
Sometimes, states of anxiety or stress are responsible for vaginal dryness. Therefore, a good option is to drink an infusion of plants with relaxing properties, such as lemon balm, valerian, or linden.
Also, you can choose to do some relaxing sports or recreational activities, which allow you to clear your mind and relieve tension.
8. Use water-based lubricants
One of the ways to keep the vaginal walls moisturized and lubricated is to use a lubricant made from water. Ideally, it should be natural, colorless, and free of colorants or perfumes.
Some have hyaluronic acid, an element that helps to hydrate and reestablish the pH of the vaginal walls, as well as regenerate these tissues.
9. Ensure a balanced diet
A complete and balanced diet maintains the body’s functions in optimal conditions. Even lavender extract, anise, parsley, or vitamin C can alleviate the symptoms of vaginal dryness.
Isoflavones are also often very helpful and are found in fennel, flax seeds, and ginseng.
10. Practice Kegel exercises
Keeping the pelvic floor muscles in the correct condition contributes positively to vaginal health. These exercises improve blood flow to these tissues, increasing moisture and lubrication.
Vaginal dryness and medical consultation
Vaginal dryness can be a major source of embarrassment for women and this generates some hesitation when discussing it with a doctor.
Although it doesn’t usually have significant health consequences, vaginal dryness causes discomfort and insecurity. Therefore, if you have any questions or concerns, you should consult with a specialist.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Dizavandi FR, Ghazanfarpour M, Roozbeh N, Kargarfard L, Khadivzadeh T, Dashti S. An overview of the phytoestrogen effect on vaginal health and dyspareunia in peri- and post-menopausal women. Post Reprod Health. 2019 Mar;25(1):11-20. doi: 10.1177/2053369118823365. Epub 2019 Feb 20. PMID: 30786797.
- Goncharenko, V., Bubnov, R., Polivka, J., Jr, Zubor, P., Biringer, K., Bielik, T., Kuhn, W., & Golubnitschaja, O. (2019). Vaginal dryness: individualised patient profiles, risks and mitigating measures. The EPMA journal, 10(1), 73–79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13167-019-00164-3
- Mares P, Hoffet M, Rousseau O, Ripart-Neveu S. La sécheresse vaginale [Vaginal dryness]. Rev Prat. 2001 Jan 31;51(2):155-8. French. PMID: 11252940.