Why Your Vagina Feels Dry (and When to See a Gynae)

Have you ever been just going about your day or ready to have a little fun with bae, and your vagina decides to give zero fun vibes? You start experiencing dryness, itching, discomfort, or even pain.

Vaginal dryness is more common than most people think and can happen to women of different ages. It is not a mysterious or shameful condition; your vagina just refuses to be wet when it needs to be. It is your body’s way of telling you that you might just need a little TLC down there.

Let’s talk about vaginal dryness, the causes, when you should see a gynaecologist, and some real remedies that can actually help.

What Is Vaginal Dryness?

Your vagina is a queen, and one of her many superpowers is that she produces natural lubrication that keeps your vaginal wall soft, supple, and healthy. Vaginal dryness happens when your vagina doesn’t produce enough of this natural moisture, and this makes everyday activities like walking or exercise, and even sex, feel uncomfortable. It also increases the risk of irritation or infection because the protective layer that lubrication provides is reduced and leaves your vagina more vulnerable.

Common Causes of Vaginal Dryness

Hormonal changes

Your hormones run the show when it comes to your vaginal health. Oestrogen is the star player here that keeps your vaginal lining thick, elastic, and well-lubricated. If you have low levels of oestrogen, which is common during perimenopause, menopause, after childbirth, or even when breastfeeding, this can make your vaginal walls thin and reduce that natural moisture.

Medications

Some drugs can contribute to vaginal dryness by either affecting your hormonal balance or reducing the blood flow to your vaginal tissues. Examples of such medications include:

Antihistamines and decongestants for cold and allergies
Some antidepressants
Some hormonal contraceptives
Chemotherapy or radiotherapy

Medical conditions

Conditions like diabetes can affect blood flow and vaginal tissue health, thyroid disorders can influence your hormone balance and tissue health, and autoimmune diseases like Sjorgren’s syndrome can attack the glands that produce moisture.

Stress and lifestyle

Stress isn’t just in your head. Chronic or severe stress and some habits like smoking or excessive alcohol can affect your hormones, your blood flow, and even your vagina’s hydration.

Intimacy factors

Sometimes, it is not just the hormones or the meds, but the rush. Jumping straight into sex without foreplay can also make things uncomfortable. Foreplay helps to increase arousal, and when that happens, your body increases blood flow to your pelvic area and triggers your vaginal glands to produce natural moisture. So, no foreplay = more friction, and more foreplay = more fireworks.

Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

Some of the things you might notice if you’re dealing with vaginal dryness include:

A dry, tight, or burning feeling in your vagina during sex or when inserting a tampon.
Itching or irritation around your vulva or vagina.
Soreness even when you’re not having sex.
Spotting after sex, because the vaginal tissue is more delicate and tears more easily with friction.
Frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or yeast infections because vaginal dryness can affect your vagina’s pH balance and make it easier for bad bacteria to invade and cause trouble.

Tips to Help With Vaginal Dryness

Most cases of vaginal dryness are actually manageable with the right tips. Here are multiple ways you can ease that discomfort:

Use water or silicone-based lubricants. They are great for sex and help to keep things smoother. Make sure to avoid using oil-based lubricants with latex condoms because they weaken them. It is a common condom mistake that many people aren’t aware of.

Try vaginal moisturisers. They help to maintain daily hydration.

Stay hydrated by drinking water. It isn’t just for your skin, your vagina needs it too.

Avoid harmful vaginal practices like douching or using scented soaps to clean your vagina. Your vagina is self-cleaning and doesn’t need all that. Just wash your vulva area with a mild soap and water.

Foreplay matters. Give your body time to get naturally lubricated before penetration.

Oestrogen therapy: This would be recommended by your doctor if you’re perimenopausal or menopausal. Oestrogen creams can help restore moisture and comfort.

When to See a Gynaecologist

If you experience any of this, it is worth speaking to a gynaecologist:

Pain during sex that doesn’t improve.
Itching, burning, or irritation that lasts for days.
Severe vaginal bleeding.
Abnormal vaginal discharge.
Vaginal dryness that suddenly appears after starting a new medication.
Vaginal dryness that affects your quality of life.

A gynaecologist would help you figure out whether your vaginal dryness is related to hormonal changes, lifestyle, new medications, or a medical condition.

Final Thoughts

Vaginal dryness is more common than most people think and is nothing to be embarrassed about.

You can speak to a gynaecologist here if you need help figuring out the cause of your vaginal dryness, and to also help you get the best solution tailored to your specific cause.