Is Something Just Off… Down There? Let’s Talk Vaginal Dryness

Does your vagina sometimes feel irritated or just not quite right? Do you often experience a burning sensation, and not the good kind from your long-lost wild 20s? Does exercise trigger discomfort? Does sex sometimes feel more like sandpaper than pleasure?

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness is more common than you might think, especially as we age, affecting nearly one in two women.

Why It Happens: The Estrogen Connection

As estrogen levels decline with menopause and aging, the natural moisture that once kept your vaginal tissues soft, plump, and resilient also begins to diminish. The result? Irritation, discomfort, and often painful sex.

This isn’t about desire disappearing. It’s biology. Sex may start to hurt, and you might avoid it, not because you’ve lost interest, but because, well... it now feels more painful than pleasurable. Yikes.

Before we go on, I want to clarify the medical terminology for two different body parts, your vulva and your vagina. When we’re talking about external body tissues, this is your vulva. When we’re talking about your internal body tissues, it’s your vagina. But let’s be honest, everyone just lumps the two areas together and refers to it all as the vagina. This discussion here follows that norm and uses vagina to refer to both the vulva and the vagina areas.

As always, if vaginal dryness and related issues are a concern for you beyond the information here, consult your doctor. You can even print this blog and take it with you for discussion.

Say Hello to Your New Best Friend: Vaginal Moisturizer

Yes, there really is a moisturizer designed for your vagina! And no, it’s not just a luxury. You probably put a moisturizer or serum on your face to keep your skin soft and supple. Your vaginal tissues deserve the same daily care and attention.

A vaginal moisturizer is a non-hormonal miracle that hydrates tissues, improves elasticity, and soothes irritation. Think of it as part of your everyday routine, right alongside your facial serum, body lotion, morning coffee and doing your Kegels. (Check out my last blog on Kegels.)

How Vaginal Moisturizers Work

There are two primary types of vaginal moisturizers:

Cream Moisturizers : Think of them like face cream, but for your vagina. Apply a pea-sized amount twice a day externally to the vulva and vaginal area. They soothe, hydrate, and reduce irritation. Cream moisturizers are easy to apply and instantly make everything feel more comfortable.

Vaginal Inserts (Suppositories): They are soft, easy to insert capsules that melt with your body heat to deliver deep hydration and vaginal comfort over time. While they don’t give relief as quickly as creams, they’re ideal for long-term support for irritation and restorative hydration. Typically used every 3 days, vaginal inserts nourish from within.

What to Look for in a Vaginal Moisturizer

Shopping for a vaginal moisturizer is pretty much the same as shopping for a moisturizer for your face. There’s a wide range of ingredients, packaging, and price points to choose from. You want to look for:

• Clean ingredients and no perfumes, fragrances, alcohol, petroleum, or harsh chemicals that could irritate your delicate vaginal tissues.

  
  

  Vaginal moisturizers differ in their main ingredient for its soothing qualities. The popular ingredients included for their qualities of moisturizing and creating softness are:

  
  

• Hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba oil, shea butter, and aloe.

  
  

  The right vaginal moisturizer for you comes down to personal preference. Try a few different ones and find what feels best for you. You can buy them at Amazon, your local pharmacy, WalMart, Target, and companies geared toward vaginal wellness like Tabu, Womaness, Playground.

There are prescription remedies as well, so if you have additional concerns, you should explore those options with your doctor.

Moisturizers vs. Lubes: Know the Difference

It’s important to understand how vaginal moisturizers differ from lubricants.

• Vaginal Moisturizers: Used daily. Keeps everything soft, healthy, and hydrated. Long-term vaginal BFF.

  
  

• Lubes: Used during sex. Slippery, satisfying, and here for a good time, not a long time.

Here’s a way to think of the difference: your daily vaginal moisturizer keeps your tissues vibrant and hydrated, and your lube is the sparkle on date night. Use both. Your vagina will thank you.

Final Word: You’re Not Alone, and You Deserve Comfort

Vaginal dryness doesn’t have to disrupt your life or your intimacy. You deserve to feel comfortable, sexy, and confident at every age. So, grab yourself a vaginal moisturizer, put it next to your night cream, and hydrate. Your vagina deserves self-care too.

Image Source: Canva