Avoid using deodorants and perfumed products in and around your intimate area
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is very common and frequently appears during menopause. However, it's not a problem exclusive to menopausal women and vaginal dryness can affect you as early as your 20s.
Normally, glands in your cervix produce a natural lubricant that keeps the vagina moist. This can change for a variety of reasons like dehydration or stress, and medication like oral contraception and antihistamines. In particular, your vagina changes during menopause, when oestrogen levels in your body naturally decrease and you may experience vaginal dryness due to reduced natural lubrication.
Vaginal dryness symptoms
Most women experience the following vaginal dryness symptoms:
- Burning, soreness or pain inside the vagina or the lower vagina
- Itching, burning or soreness around the entrance to the vagina (vulva)
- Pain during sex, sometimes accompanied by light bleeding
- Recurring urinary tract infections
- Frequent need or urge to urinate
- Thinner vaginal lips (labia)
You should see a doctor if:
Vaginal dryness interferes with your lifestyle, relationships or sex life.
Understanding vaginal dryness
You can experience symptoms of vaginal dryness before you start menopause. However, during menopause a decrease in lubrication is considered natural. As your oestrogen levels decrease, vaginal walls become thinner and less lubrication is produced in your cervix.
What to do about vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness treatment depends on your individual situation, so it is always recommended to consult your doctor for treatment options.
If you experience vaginal dryness and are suffering from thrush, we recommend using the Canesten internal creams e.g. Canesten 1 Day Cream.
Preventing vaginal dryness
Use lubricants during sex and enjoy more foreplay so your body has longer to produce its own natural lubricant
Ask your doctor about a treatment
Facts about vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness can affect you at any age, not just during menopause.
Other causes of vaginal dryness include use of perfumed products for intimate hygiene, breastfeeding and certain medications.
A small amount of white vaginal discharge is a healthy sign. It means your vagina is naturally well-lubricated and keeping itself clean.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Learn more about intimate health
Thrush Trivia Quiz
Take our vaginal thrush quiz and find out what’s fact and what’s myth. Test your knowledge and share your results if you wish!
What is thrush?
Learn what thrush is and what common yeast infection symptoms can help identify it. You can also find out how you can treat thrush and how you can prevent it from recurring.
Learn more about thrush and pregnancy
Learn more about having thrush while pregnant. See how to avoid and prevent developing a vaginal yeast infection.
Causes and symptoms of thrush in men
Reduce the risk of developing a yeast infection – learn more about thrush symptoms, prevention, and yeast infection treatments.
Vaginal health: what you need to know
Learn about the causes and risk factors of vaginal infections. Find out what symptoms of those infections are and find tips on how to prevent vaginal infections.