Is your vaginal dryness ruining your physical relationship? If you suffer from this issue, you know how it can make intercourse a harrowing and hardly enjoyable affair. Besides, vaginal dryness can lead to several other moderate to severe health problems, including urinary tract infections. While there are expensive medications to treat vaginal dryness effectively, you can also opt for simple natural remedies to get rid of it. In addition, taking proper preventive measures can also help keep vaginal dryness at bay. So, if spending thousands of bucks for treating vaginal dryness sound too much to you, go through this article and cure it naturally.
What Is Vaginal Dryness?
When your vagina does not produce enough lubrication or when the lining of the vagina (vaginal tissue) starts thinning, you experience dryness in the vagina. It is medically termed ‘vaginal atrophy’ or ‘Atrophic Vaginitis’, typically accompanied by a parched and itchy sensation in the vagina and pain during intercourse. This mostly happens due to a drop in the estrogen levels in the body, which changes women both physiologically and psychologically. (1)
It is believed that vaginal dryness occurs only in menopausal or postmenopausal women. This is because we generally consider it ’embarrassing’ and do not like to talk about it when it happens at younger ages. But experts say that it is one of the most common issues affecting women at any age.
Several prescription medicines (both hormonal and non-hormonal) are available for this condition, including creams, inserts, and tablets. But before heading that way, there are also many home remedies you can try for vaginal dryness.
The vaginal lubricant is produced in the cervical glands and vagina. But it is mostly found in the bloodstream and it is a fluid rich in sodium, calcium, potassium and amino acids.
Causes Of Vaginal Dryness
Several factors are responsible for vaginal lubrication, and the hormonal condition of the woman is the most important one among them. The estrogen hormone produced in our body is known to maintain the health of our vagina by keeping its tissue and lining lubricated and protecting the organ from infections. Therefore, anything that lowers estrogen production in our body can dry up the vagina. So, let us take a look at different causes of vaginal dryness. (2)
- Menopause significantly reduces estrogen levels in our body, thereby thinning out the vaginal wall and damaging its superficial layer of cells that provide lubrication.
- Oral contraceptive pills or spermicides that control the amount of estrogen in our body can cause vaginal dryness by putting the vulva and the vagina in the menopausal stage.
- Chemotherapy, other radiation therapy, hormonal treatments, etc., can lead to dryness in the vagina.
- Stress and anxiety put together can curb your body’s natural sexual responses, which are responsible for the lubrication of the vagina.
- Not providing enough hydration or nutrition to the body for producing sufficient lubrication.
- Certain habits like frequent douching, washing the vaginal area with fragrant soaps, smoking, etc., can affect the lubricating capacity of the vagina.
- Candidiasis, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), etc., can lead to a dry vagina.
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Symptoms Of Vaginal Dryness
Your routine life can get disrupted by vaginal dryness. But knowing its symptoms beforehand will help you deal with the issue more effectively. Some common symptoms of vaginal dryness include burning sensation, itchiness, low or no sexual desire, painful intercourse, painful urination, frequent urination, lost bladder control, abnormal discharge, non-menstrual bleeding, insomnia, and so on.
Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness
Now, here are the most effective remedies that can help you treat a dry vagina naturally. (3) (4)
1. A Good Diet
Eat more food rich in proteins and essential fatty acids (sunflower seeds, fish, sesame seeds). In addition, ingredients packed with isoflavones (celery, flax seeds, soybeans, tofu, etc.) will help regulate your estrogen levels successfully.
2. Enough Hydration
We need to drink lots of water to fight against our dry skin. The vaginal lining is also nothing but a thin layer of skin. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water daily and stay hydrated to ensure that your vaginal lining can produce optimum lubrication.
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3. Coconut Oil
This is one of the safest remedies for curing vaginal dryness. Take a spoonful of edible virgin coconut oil and apply it to your vaginal area. Massaging your vagina with coconut oil will keep it lubricated and help improve its elasticity.
4. Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is regarded as another safe remedy for vaginal dryness like coconut oil. In addition, being rich in vitamin E, this oil can massage the vagina for increased lubrication without any worries.
5. Fenugreek Seeds / Fennel Seeds
Soak a teaspoonful of fenugreek or fennel seeds in water overnight and drink the infusion the following morning. The estrogen-like effects produced by them will help in increasing vaginal lubrication.
Also Read – 20 Home Remedies To Beat Menstrual Problems Naturally!
Preventive Measures To Avoid Vaginal Dryness
If you want to prevent vaginal dryness from occurring further, follow these preventive measures religiously.
Switch To Milder Products
If you are using a harsh soap or body wash to clean your vaginal area, then it is time to stop it. Instead, switch to milder personal care products or vaginal washes to wash your intimate areas as they will clean without drying out the skin and maintain the proper pH balance.
Avoid Douching
Douching can lead to excessive dryness in the vagina and can be one of the underlying causes of vaginal soreness. Avoid douching completely to see a significant change in your lubrication levels.
Try Water-Based Lubes
Make sure that you use water-based or organic (free from glycerin, petrolatum, etc.) lubes to get relief from your dry genital issues. However, if the dryness in the vagina makes you ‘extremely uncomfortable’, consult a specialist immediately.
References –
- “Vaginal Dryness: Causes and Moisturizing Treatments” – webmd.com
- “Vaginal Dryness” – clevelandclinic.org
- “Natural remedies for vaginal atrophy” -medicalnewstoday.com
- “Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness” – verywellhealth.com
