It’s time we talk, and I mean really talk, about vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness is a common and often painful symptom that can cause pain with movement, sitting, peeing, and sexual activity. It can feel like burning, itching, and soreness and can sometimes lead to bleeding after sex or urinary tract infections. It occurs when the vaginal lining loses its normal level of lubrication and becomes thinner and less elastic. To put it simply – not fun.
Vaginal dryness can occur at any age. While vaginal dryness is common during and after menopause due to lower estrogen levels, it can also occur with a wide range of other health conditions and as a side effect of certain medications. Some other causes of vaginal dryness include breastfeeding, birth control, cancer treatments, anemia, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes. Regardless of the why, there are steps we can take to both address the symptoms and begin to restore natural lubrication longer term.
First and foremost, let’s make sure we aren’t stripping the natural lubrication we already have. Using scented soaps or strong washes around or in your vagina can exacerbate symptoms. Avoid cleaning inside the vagina and use only gentle soaps externally. Pat dry afterwards.
Thankfully there are many treatment options for vaginal dryness. Medications designed to increase estrogen levels in the vaginal lining are an option for some people. If you are having vaginal dryness, you may discuss these options with your pelvic health provider. Over the counter options include vaginal lubricants and moisturizers and can be helpful whether or not you decide to use prescription medications.
If you are using over the counter options, keep in mind that this will likely be a long term need. Generally speaking, most over the counter products will need to be used every time you are feeling dryness and, while they do an excellent job of relieving symptoms and preventing further irritation, do not address the underlying cause of why you’re having dryness in the first place.
So what exactly is the difference between lubricants and moisturizers?
Lubricants are most frequently used during sexual activity, particularly with penetration (toys included) or with use of pelvic health tools. If using condoms or any product made of silicone or latex, make sure to only use lubricants that are water based.
Vaginal moisturizers are applied more regularly than vaginal lubricants, regardless of sexual activity. They are designed to restore moisture to the vagina and vulva (the area directly surrounding the opening of the vagina). Some products are intended for inside the vagina while others are to be used externally only and are for the vulva.
There are so many vaginal lubricants and moisturizers on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Key factors to look for are osmolality (concentration of dissolved particles) and pH. Typical vaginal pH balance is between 3.8–4.5. As for osmolality, look for a product under 1200 mOsm/kg. The goal is to get as close to healthy, natural vaginal secretions as possible.
However, this can get confusing really quickly and not all products have this information readily available. Don’t worry, you don’t have to become a chemist to find the right product for you. In the hope of making things simpler, here’s a quick breakdown of some of our favorites, but keep in mind there are plenty of others out there. If you have a product you are unsure of, ask your pelvic health provider.
*Quick side note: The Pelvic Health Fund is not sponsored by any companies or products and we receive no reimbursement for recommending any particular products. Also, the names and availability of products we mention may have changed since we’ve written this. We try to stay on top of what is currently available, but things change fast!
Lubricant Options:
| Water Based | Silicone Based | Natural Oil Based |
| Slippery Stuff Astroglide: Liquid, PB Free Liquid, or Gel, or Ultra Gentle Gel Good Clean Love Bio-Nude Good Clean Love Almost Naked Maude Shine, Water Intimate Rose, Enchanted Rose | Uberlube Astroglide X Good Clean Love Hybrid Maude Shine, Silicone Sliquid Silver | Coconut oil Coconu Lube Rosebud Woman Honor Everyday Balm AH! Yes OB AH! Yes Coco Bloomi Delight |
Vaginal Moisturizer Options:
| Creams, Gels & Balms | Suppositories |
| AH! Yes VM Gel Desert Harvest Relevium Desert Harvest Aloe Gele Desert Harvest Vulva & Body Balm VMagic Vulva Balm Good Clean Love Bionourish Good Clean Love Relief Gel (with lidocaine) | Bonafide, Revaree Mother’s Dose, HydraDose KY Liquibeads Carlson Key-E Suppositories |