Illness name: vaginal dryness
Description:
Vaginal dryness is a common problem that many women have at some point in their lives. But there are things that can help.
You may have vaginal dryness if you:
These things may make you feel less like you want to have sex.
You can get vaginal dryness if you:
These things can cause a change in your hormone levels. This change can affect how much vaginal discharge or fluid you have.
You can also have vaginal dryness if you:
You can try these things before you see a GP. You can get most of them from a pharmacy without a prescription.
use water-based lubricants before sex – put these in and around your vagina, on your partner's penis, on your partner's fingers, or on a sex toy if you're using one
use vaginal moisturisers for vaginal dryness – you can put these inside your vagina to keep it moist
use unperfumed soaps and washes around your vagina
try to enjoy more foreplay so you feel more aroused during sex
do not use perfumed soaps, washes and any douches in and around your vagina
do not put creams or lotions like petroleum jelly inside your vagina as it can cause an infection
do not use moisturisers that are not for your vagina
If you're getting vaginal dryness because of changes in your hormone levels, you may be prescribed creams, gels, patches or medicines to increase a hormone called oestrogen. This is called
HRT
.
Page last reviewed: 30 December 2021
Vaginal dryness
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Causes of vaginal dryness
How to treat vaginal dryness yourself
Do
Don’t
Non-urgent advice:
See a GP if:
Next review due: 30 December 2024