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Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness: Oils, Herbs, and Tricks to Ease Discomfort and Restore Health

Evidence-based Reviewed Article

An image of the lower body of a womanAccording to reports, 17% of women aged 18-50 have dealt with vaginal dryness. It could be caused by several different factors, from a decline in estrogen levels to cancer therapy, like radiation. While regular sexual activity can help to alleviate vaginal dryness, there are certain natural remedies for vaginal dryness that you could try to improve symptoms. Keep reading to learn more in detail about these natural lubricating remedies.

Possible Causes of Vaginal Dryness

To address vaginal dryness, first, we need to understand why it happens. There are several possible causes.

A Decline in Estrogen Levels

One of the main causes of vaginal dryness is a decline in estrogen levels. Generally, estrogen levels begin to drop around the onset of menopause. The ovaries produce estrogen and control the development of female features, including breasts and body shape. Additionally, estrogen is a crucial component of the menstrual cycle, and it plays an essential role in pregnancy.

Furthermore, estrogen helps to maintain the thickness, moistness, and health of the vaginal wall. Vaginal atrophy usually occurs when estrogen levels begin to decline. Changes include thinner, dryer, and diminished elasticity of the vaginal lining.

Reasons Estrogen Levels May Drop

There are several reasons that a woman’s estrogen levels may decline, including:

  • Menopause
  • Childbirth
  • Breastfeeding
  • Using birth control pills
  • Cancer Therapy (chemotherapy, hormonal treatment, and radiation)
  • Surgical removal of the ovaries
  • Anti-estrogen drugs for breast cancer or endometriosis
  • Adrenal Fatigue

Other Causes of Vaginal Dryness

  • Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune condition that causes salivary and tear gland inflammation.
  • Antihistamines, which dry secretions to help alleviate cold and allergy symptoms. Possible side effects of using antihistamines can include vaginal dryness.
  • Antidepressant use can result in side effects that can include vaginal dryness, among other sexual side effects, such as reduced libido.
  • Stress and anxiety both can affect vaginal lubrication and cause dryness. For women with adrenal fatigue syndrome (AFS), the non-Addison's form of adrenal dysfunction, where your body's stress response is unable to keep up with life's chronic stressors, vaginal dryness could emerge as a symptom. Chronic stress can cause dysregulation of the hormone circuit of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response. Specifically, it causes cortisol levels to increase, and when this happens, progesterone decreases and can lead to vaginal dryness.
  • A decline in blood supply to the vagina can result in decreased lubrication, as and such, dryness.
  • Flammer Syndrome, an autoimmune disease characteristic of vascular dysregulation, can cause vaginal dryness in both pre-and post-menopausal women and dryness of the whole body.
  • Scented soaps
  • Douches
  • Lack of arousal during sex
  • In women who smoke, menopause may emerge earlier than in other women so that vaginal dryness could occur earlier in this particular group.
  • Older age. As women age, dryness in the vagina tends to occur, and the vagina becomes less elastic. Some women may notice changes in their natural lubrication around their late 40s or early 50s. As women grow older, they also produce less estrogen, which helps to keep the vagina moist.

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

Several symptoms that are often associated with vaginal dryness include:

  • An image of a woman lying in bed while in painVaginal itching, burning, or soreness
  • Irritation
  • Pain or discomfort during sex
  • Increase in urge to urinate more frequently
  • Increased risk of urinary tract and vaginal infections
  • Dyspareunia, which leads to decreased levels of vaginal secretion, a tighter vaginal opening, and vaginal narrowing

You may be experiencing vaginal dryness if one or more of these symptoms emerge.

Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

There are several home remedies that you could use to try and alleviate vaginal dryness. They may be beneficial in managing your symptoms and even prevent worsening vaginal dryness. Here’s a quick look at some of the natural remedies for vaginal dryness:

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #1: Coconut Oil

A natural oil such as coconut oil can help to provide relief from vaginal dryness. More specifically, virgin coconut oil is derived from mature coconuts and has several health benefits. As a natural emollient (skin soothing), you may use it to help keep the skin of your vagina moisturized. Using clean hands, apply an adequate amount of coconut oil evenly to the vagina and massage it slowly.

According to a pilot study published in the Journal Cureus, researchers sought to understand the benefits and safety of an intra- and peri-vaginal application of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in paste form for the treatment of dyspareunia and vaginal dryness in patients with and without rheumatic autoimmune diseases (RAD).

The participants used virgin coconut oil (VCO) in paste form via the CocoRelief protocol for six months, and therapy outcomes were evaluated at the end. The study's results suggested that virgin coconut oil (VCO) in paste form provided significant long-term VDD-related efficacy.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #2: Almond Oil

Like coconut oil, almond oil can provide skin benefits. It has several properties, including anti-inflammatory action, antibacterial activity, anti-fungal properties, emollient (moisturizing agent) action, and immune-boosting properties. Almond oil's natural emollient properties make it a good option to help improve vaginal dryness.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #3: Olive Oil

Olive oil is packed with vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants, and its moisturizing properties can help to improve skin dryness. The unsaturated fatty acids, specifically, can help improve hydration and repair vaginal tissues. Also, research suggests that olive oil can also be beneficial as a vaginal lubricant. You can use a small amount, about a teaspoon, of olive oil to moisturize the vulva, the outside area of the vagina, as well as the edge of the inside. You can massage the olive oil twice per day to achieve results.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #4: Soy

Another of the natural remedies for vaginal dryness that could be helpful is soy. It contains isoflavones that behave similarly to weak estrogens in the body, which are beneficial for vaginal health. Early research suggests that oral soy may help with vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women. Anecdotal findings also indicate that soymilk could significantly reduce vaginal dryness.

Also, soymilk, in combination with exercise, appears to have the potential to reduce vaginal dryness as well, but not more effectively than soymilk supplementation alone. Furthermore, soy supplementation with estrogen therapy may also be beneficial in alleviating vaginal dryness.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #5: Foreplay Before Sex

An image of a couple in bedOne of the benefits of sexual stimulation is that it helps to increase both blood flow and vaginal secretions during arousal. This helps to trigger moisture production, which can relieve vaginal dryness. Dryness can occur when you don’t spend enough time on foreplay. As such, you are not adequately aroused to stimulate lubrication. So, talk to your partner about spending more time on foreplay to help increase your body’s natural lubrication and keep vaginal dryness at bay.

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness #6: Avoid Certain Personal Care Products

Certain products can interfere with your body’s natural ability to keep your vagina moist. Douches and feminine hygiene sprays, for instance, have the potential to strip your vagina of its natural moisture and disrupt its pH balance. Consequently, this increases your risk of vaginal dryness. Also, spermicides can often contain chemicals that may be too harsh and can cause vaginal dryness. Exposure to the chemical nonoxynol-9, often found in spermicides, can be the cause.

Furthermore, some body washes and soaps can contain irritants, such as dyes and fragrances, that can lead to vaginal dryness. If you observe that these products could be connected to dryness, avoid using them to be on the safe side.

Herbs: Natural Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

Several herbs may also help increase vaginal lubrication. These include:

Black Cohosh

This potent herb contains phytoestrogens, which have an estrogen-like effect on the body. It may help to increase blood flow to your pelvic area, increase vaginal secretions, and improve vaginal lubrication and tissue elasticity.

Evening Primrose Oil

This evening primrose oil, like EPO Pro by Dr. Lam, may be beneficial because it contains essential fatty acids that aid in producing the compound prostaglandins. The latter helps to regulate hormones in the body and is also beneficial in the maintenance of healthy vaginal cell membranes.

Ginseng

Traditionally, ginseng has been used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, including vaginal dryness. The compounds saponins found in ginseng help trigger blood flow and support general sexual health.

Red Clover

Rich in isoflavones that have an estrogen-like effect, regular consumption can help to enhance vaginal moisture. As such, it may be beneficial for reducing discomfort caused by vaginal dryness.

Wild Yam

This herb is among the natural remedies for vaginal dryness because it contains the compound disogenin. This compound has the potential to convert to an estrogen-like substance in the body and enhance vaginal lubrication and relieve vaginal dryness.

Adrenal Fatigue and Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common issue that can be particularly prevalent among women experiencing adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is a condition where the body is unable to keep up with long-term stress, resulting in various nonspecific symptoms such as vaginal dryness, tiredness, sleep disturbances, anxiousness, and weight gain. Multiple hormones can be affected, like DHEA, cortisol, and estrogens.

Reduced levels of DHEA can lead to lower estrogen levels, which are crucial for maintaining vaginal lubrication. Consequently, women with adrenal fatigue might experience symptoms of vaginal dryness, which can lead to discomfort during intercourse, itching, and irritation.

Addressing adrenal health and managing stress can be key steps in alleviating this symptom, alongside potential hormone replacement therapies or natural remedies aimed at supporting hormonal balance and vaginal health.

Can You Drink Water to Stop Vaginal Dryness?

An image of a woman drinking a glass of waterDrinking an adequate amount of water daily is a simple way to help address vagina dryness. Water is a useful solution because it helps to keep your entire body hydrated, including your vaginal tissues.

According to an article published in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine, water helps to increase the moisture level inside the vagina and temporarily alleviate vaginal dryness. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water daily and more on hot days or days when your physical activity is intense.

Can Vaginal Dryness Cause UTIs?

If you have vaginal dryness, then you are more prone to developing urinary tract infections (UTI). Menopausal women can experience recurrent UTIs, which tend to occur when vaginal atrophy is the culprit. The thinning and drying of the skin that results from this condition increases the risk of getting a UTI.

Does Estriol Cream Help Vaginal Dryness?

Estriol cream is effective at helping to alleviate vaginal dryness due to menopause. Estriol is a form of estrogen that the body produces during pregnancy. As a medication, it’s used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, which include vaginal dryness. Estriol cream, a vaginally administered hormone cream, is applied directly to the vagina and is absorbed locally, bypassing the liver. Also, it substitutes for the diminished estrogen production in menopausal women and improves associated symptoms.

Furthermore, studies have reported that estriol cream is effective at significantly decreasing vaginal dryness and in the process, improves sexual function and vaginal health. According to a study published in Menopause, an ultra-low dose of 0.005% estriol vaginal gel was shown to be effective in improving symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, including vaginal dryness, in postmenopausal women with breast cancer getting nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (NSAIDs).

Natural Remedies For Vaginal Dryness: The Takeaway

Menopausal women tend to be commonly troubled by vaginal dryness due to a drop in the hormone estrogen. Several symptoms can emerge when vaginal dryness sets in, from itching to an increased urge to urinate. Some of the natural remedies for vaginal dryness include:

  • Drinking adequate amounts of water daily
  • Alleviating dryness with natural oils (evening primrose, almond, olive, coconut oils)
  • More foreplay
  • Natural herbs that boost lubrication
  • Estriol Cream

If you would like more information on the pros and cons of these methods, call us at +1 (626) 571-1234. We can provide more details about how these natural remedies can help.

© Copyright 2024 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
References

Albornoz, Marco A., et al. "Virgin Coconut Oil in Paste Form As Treatment for Dyspareunia and Vaginal Dryness in Patients With and Without Rheumatic Autoimmune Diseases: An Efficacy and Safety Assessment Pilot Study." Cureus, vol. 15, no. 6, 2023, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40501.

Fakari, Farzaneh R., et al. "A Review of Pharmacological Treatments for Vaginal Atrophy in Postmenopausal Women in Iran." Journal of Menopausal Medicine, vol. 26, no. 2, 2020, pp. 104-111, https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.19021.

Dr. Lam’s Key Question

Some natural remedies for vaginal dryness includes water, soy, herbs like ginseng, red clover, wild yam, black cohosh, and evening primrose oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and almond oil, avoiding certain personal care products, and spending more time on foreplay.

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