Vaginal dryness
Causes of vaginal dryness
Causes of adry vagina include:
- the Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) decreased levels of the hormone oestrogen during the menopause can causepersistent vaginal dryness (also known as vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis )
- breastfeeding or childbirth oestrogen levels can temporarily decrease after giving birth and make your vagina feel drier than usual
- not beingaroused before sex if you don't feel aroused before having sex, your vagina may not produce natural lubricant and sex may be uncomfortable
- some types of contraception the combined contraceptive pill and contraceptive injection can occasionally cause vaginal dryness, although this is uncommon
- cancer treatment radiotherapy to the pelvic area, hormonal cancer treatments, and sometimes chemotherapy can cause vaginal dryness
Vaginal drynessis also sometimes caused by an underlying condition such as diabetes or Sjgren's syndrome , wherethe immuneattacks the glands in the body that produce fluid.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about vaginal dryness, including why it happens and what can be done about it.
Symptoms of a dry vagina
Some women only have symptoms of vaginal dryness at certain times, such as during sex, while othershave them all the time. Problems associated with having a dry vagina include: vaginal irritation,
Causes of vaginal dryness
Causes of adry vagina include: the Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) decreased levels of the hormone oestrogen during the menopause can causepersistent vaginal dryness (also known as vaginal
What to do if you have a dry vagina
If you're having problems with vaginal dryness, it's worth trying self-help options first. It can help to: try using a lubricant or vaginal moisturiser these can be bought without a prescription g
Treatments for vaginal dryness
The main treatments that can help if you have a dry vagina are: Lubricants Vaginal moisturisers Vaginal oestrogen Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Lubricants Lubricants are liquids or
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