One of the most common menopausal symptoms is vaginal dryness. In fact, it’s the main symptom of what’s called genitourinary syndrome, most commonly referred to as vaginal atrophy.

The first sign of vaginal dryness is most often less lubrication which you may notice during sex. Another sign is urinary tract problems like urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence.

Vaginal dryness is most common during perimenopause and menopause when ovaries produce less estrogen. The decline in estrogen causes many uncomfortable symptoms that can disrupt your life.

How do I treat vaginal dryness?

Many women are interested in trying out natural remedies before resorting to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Plus, if you’re a breast cancer survivor, your doctor may advise against HRT.

Vaginal dryness can lead to dyspareunia, or painful sex, which can take its toll on your sex life. Many women find relief in over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers which restore moisture or water-based lubricants that reduce friction and pain, like these:

• Vag of Honor
• K-Y Liquibeads
• Astroglide
• K-Y Jelly

I highly recommend Vag of Honor by Stripes Beauty for vaginal dryness. It contains Ectoine, hyaluronic acid, and glycogen, which provides up to 24 hours of relief. Stripes Beauty was started by actress Naomi Watts when she realized there was very little support for women going through menopause.

Unfortunately, lubricants and moisturizers don’t work for every woman. Luckily, there are effective options like topical estrogen, oral estrogen, vaginal rings, and suppositories.

Topical remedies provides lower doses of estrogen than traditional oral tablets but is still effective. In addition, it comes in many forms including creams, suppositories, and vaginal rings. Some women may prefer topical estrogen because it tends to provide faster relief than pills.

Pills like Osphena are taken daily and relieve painful sex symptoms in cases of moderate to severe dyspareunia. This is the most common form of treatment, but as I mentioned earlier, it is not recommended for women who’ve had breast cancer or who are at risk of developing breast cancer.

Non-hormonal remedies

You may also use vaginal dilators in conjunction with estrogen therapy. These devices are used to gently and gradually stretch the vaginal muscles to prevent or reverse narrowing of the vagina. Some doctors recommend you do pelvic floor therapy along with using a vaginal dilators.

Topical lidocaine is available as a prescription ointment or gel. It can help lessen discomfort when applied five to 10 minutes before you begin sexual activity.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – the lowdown on vaginal dryness. Don’t let it steal your shine! From over-the-counter options to prescriptions, there’s a solution out there for everyone. Remember, your body is amazing at any age. Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

Check out my blog post about other lesser-known symptoms of menopause.