Vaginal Dryness from Birth Control or Another Reason?

Vaginal Dryness Symptoms 

One common symptom of vaginal dryness is painful intercourse, which can also stem from other issues, including pelvic floor problems. If the cause is vaginal dryness, lube will usually alleviate this pain. Frequently women who experience painful intercourse end up trying to avoid sex, which can harm their relationship. Some women with vaginal dryness experience frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) that will not go away. Others experience itching, burning, discomfort in the vagina, chaffing or tearing of the inner labia, and light bleeding after intercourse.

Most Common Cause of Vaginal Dryness In Women

The most common cause is a drop in estrogen levels, but there are many other reasons why you might be experiencing vaginal dryness. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone, produced primarily in the ovaries, and it helps regulate moisture in the vagina and keep tissues healthy and elastic. Estrogen levels drop during pregnancy and breastfeeding, from breast cancer treatments or ovary removal, with specific immune disorders, and during and after menopause. That is why vaginal dryness during pregnancy is quite common. When not warned by a doctor, many new moms are shocked to encounter a dry vagina during pregnancy.

Do Medication and Birth Control Cause Vaginal Dryness?

While most vaginal dryness is from hormones, hygiene, and medications are the culprit for many women. If you take birth control, vaginal dryness is common, and this is because the birth control pills throw off a woman’s estrogen/progestin balance. A copper IUD is non-hormonal and will not do this. Certain medications can also leave you dry, including antihistamines (they decrease mucus production in cells throughout the body, including the vagina), antidepressants, and asthma medications. If you think your vaginal dryness might be from your medication, talk to your doctor and look for an alternative (but don’t stop taking it or switch on your own).

Douching, dehydration, irritants (such as soaps, perfumes, and hygiene products), and insufficient arousal can also cause vaginal dryness for some women. Interestingly, low libido and other sexual problems can lead to vaginal dryness; conversely, vaginal dryness can lead to low libido. Stress and anxiety affect our sexual desire and may lead to vaginal dryness. Most of the moms I work with are chronically stressed, and if you’re a mom, you know that while it’s the most rewarding job in the world, it can also be stressful. Taking care of yourself and reducing stress with proven methods such as exercise, meditation, or prayer is essential for your mental and physical well-being.

What you can do:

Pelvic floor exercises also help women with pelvic floor health. They are an at-home remedy for atrophy and those searching for how to create natural lubrication within their bodies. This is done by improving circulation to the vagina and pelvic floor and can take your orgasms to an entirely new level.

For pain-free intercourse with vaginal dryness, most women need the help of a lubricant. A personal lubricant is used during sexual activities to make them more pleasurable or to provide necessary lubrication. Water-based lube, silicone lubes, and oil-based lube are types of vaginal lubricants. There are so many on the market, but it’s important to note that if you use condoms, you should avoid oil based lubricants, which can break latex condoms.

In addition to lubrication for intercourse, some women notice an improvement after moisturizing their vagina a few times a week. Vaginal moisturizers are designed to be applied just as a lotion or cream elsewhere on the body would be. Some women use aloe vera gel or hyaluronic acid as a vaginal moisturizer. If you constantly feel dry, you might try a moisturizer in addition to lube. When using any beauty or hygiene product on or in my body, I prefer non-toxic options.

Here’s a list of some of the best lubricants for vaginal dryness.

• Coconut oil
• Good Clean Love lubricant
• Lola, water-based lubricant
• Aloe Cadabra lubricant
• Vmagic moisturizer
• Julva moisturizer

No matter what the cause, there are options. So instead of feeling dry and having sensitive skin, take control and help make your vagina comfortable and moisturized. As women we tend to be busy and ignore some issues until they are so bad we can no longer ignore them. Vaginal health and any vaginal issues should not be something we as women ignore. So please, ensure your vagina is healthy.