Vaginal Hydration

Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness has many origins, including childbirth, breast-feeding, menopause, chemotherapy, oral contraceptive use and stress.7,8 Friction caused by dryness may cause small tears in the vaginal lining; after menopause, the increase in vaginal pH favors colonization with certain pathogens and an associated increase in local bacterial infections.6

When some women suffer from vaginal dryness, sex can be very uncomfortable. A lack of lubrication may cause a great deal of pain, and this is sometimes interpreted as a lack of sexual desire. While this could be true sometimes, it is more likely that a loss of libido is a result of vaginal dryness.

Common causes of this condition7

  • Menopause
  • Perimenopause (the transition time before menopause)
  • Cancer treatment (effects on your ovaries from cancer therapy)
  • Breast-feeding
  • Childbirth/New Mothers
  • Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery)
  • Use of allergy and cold medications or anti-estrogen medications