The engine of a car needs to always have adequate oil levels to run well. If it doesn’t, the engine will start having problems and, soon, the whole vehicle will be compromised. The same goes for our bodies. The advantage is that our organism naturally produces the substance responsible for lubricating the parts that need this mechanism. One of these parts is the vagina.
Normally, the cervix itself produces the fluid responsible for maintaining the moisture in the vaginal area, and this happens from the first period until menopause.
If this mechanism is not working well, the vagina begins to become dry and this can bring a series of issues, like itching, bleeding, burning, urinary infections, and pain during sex. And this is a problem that can affect any woman, at any age.
Lack of vaginal lubrication can even affect a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant. Given the importance of this topic, we will discuss some related points.
Discussing vaginal dryness
A well-lubricated vagina is a sign of a healthy body. In addition to increasing the potential for pleasure during sexual intercourse, vaginal lubrication also protects the body, preventing infections and friction.
Specifically, female lubrication is produced by glands located in the cervix and the vaginal canal itself, and these are stimulated by hormones produced in the ovaries1. These are the glands, called Bartholin and Skene, that are responsible for vaginal secretions and for that watery and slightly thick fluid that appears in the vagina, especially during preparation for sexual intercourse.
There is no exact standard for lubrication. Each woman will respond differently to stimuli and sexual arousal, meaning each will have her own lubrication and dryness patterns.
And excess lubrication is not necessarily a problem. It only brings discomfort by overly wetting underwear or dripping down the legs. Of course, if it causes other symptoms like burning or itching, it’s best to see a gynecologist.
The real problem begins if this lubrication mechanism is not working properly. And unfortunately, this is a common issue. It is estimated that vaginal dryness affects about 20% of women throughout their lives. And what’s most worrying is that few seek information or help about this matter.
Even knowing that it is something that affects several areas of their lives, there is still some resistance both in talking about the subject and in seeking help.
And there’s no reason for this resistance, since the problem is neither so rare nor so complicated to solve. Before moving to solutions, however, it’s important to find out what is making your vagina dry.
Drop in Hormone Levels
One of the hormones responsible for vaginal hydration is estrogen. If for some reason the body reduces the production of this hormone, this can result in a lack of female lubrication, that is, vaginal dryness2.
Some factors are responsible for decreasing estrogen production:
- Beginning of menopause: around age 45, a woman’s body begins to show signs it will stop producing hormones. Even before menopause, that is, during pre-menopause or perimenopause, estrogen production begins to drastically decrease. And in addition to effects such as hot flashes, excessive sweating, and irritability, the lack of this hormone can also cause vaginal dryness. In this case, hormone replacement can help a lot.
- Breastfeeding: during breastfeeding, the pituitary gland produces a hormone called prolactin, popularly known as the milk hormone. It is responsible for stimulating milk production by the mammary glands. The point is that in some women, the high production of this hormone can end up causing vaginal dryness.
The production of prolactin during breastfeeding can cause vaginal dryness - The use of medication: women undergoing any kind of treatment involving hormones are also more prone to lack of lubrication. Some types of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, for example, have this side effect. Pregnant women who develop endometriosis after childbirth may end up having vaginal dryness as a consequence of the treatment, as it involves hormone therapy.
- Ovary removal: this procedure called oophorectomy is used to treat ovarian cancer or to prevent it from developing. Without the ovaries, the body no longer receives the hormones they would produce, meaning the woman enters menopause, even prematurely. Among other symptoms caused by ovary removal is vaginal dryness.
Lack of Sexual Stimulation
The whole body is connected and some of our reactions need stimulation to happen. Lubrication is one of them, which is why foreplay is so important in sexual relationships. When we become sexually aroused, the body responds by lubricating the vagina, preparing it for penetration.
If this doesn’t happen, that is, if the sexual stimulation isn’t enough for lubrication, there’s a chance intercourse won’t be as pleasurable or that there will be pain during sex, since there’ll be a lot of friction between the penis and vagina.
Many couples trying to conceive focus too much on fertility and end up not paying enough attention to sexual stimulation. And having sex without desire is a problem both for the relationship itself and for the health of the vagina.
If vaginal dryness is only noticed during sex, the problem may simply be stimulation. In this case, it’s worth investigating more closely: the pressure to get pregnant, stress, and even factors like depression and anxiety can decrease libido and sexual desire, which will consequently impact lubrication.
In general, the problem of vaginal dryness can be solved with a lubricant recommended by gynecologists. However, this is a temporary solution. Ideally, the body itself should produce its mucus and respond well to sexual stimuli. Some women, perhaps out of embarrassment to talk about it with their partner, end up having sex without the necessary libido.
In this case it is important to break the taboo of talking about preferences, fetishes, and stimuli and maintain good dialogue with your partner about the best way to achieve arousal.
Tips and Solutions
Lack of female lubrication is not an irreversible problem. The solution, of course, will depend on what is causing the issue. Even so, there are practical things that can be done to deal with vaginal dryness:
- Add foods that help with lubrication to your diet Of course, before eating anything, you should check with a nutritionist the impact on your health. But in general, there are foods that can help with lubrication, such as garlic (which improves blood flow), banana (rich in magnesium, helps with vasodilation), chocolate (contains stimulants like phenylethylamine, which helps with well-being), milk and dairy products (which, due to calcium, strengthen muscles, making orgasm easier), nuts and seeds (rich in vitamin B3, aid vasodilation). Ginseng tea is also a great option. Besides being natural, it helps increase blood flow to the vagina.
Banana is a food that helps vasodilation in the vagina - Avoid vaginal douching, wet wipes, and synthetic fabrics It may seem like a harmless habit, but vaginal douching removes the natural bacteria of the vagina that are responsible for protecting it. Besides that, it removes the natural moisture from this area, making it drier. Synthetic fabrics are also not recommended because they cause the genital area to sweat, creating an environment conducive to the proliferation of fungi. The best choice is to use cotton underwear, which provides more comfort and ventilation. Wet wipes alter the natural pH of the intimate area and should be used in moderation.
- Use specific products to combat vaginal dryness Some medications are quite effective, but need authorization from a gynecologist to use. There are also various treatments available, such as vaginal laser therapy. However, before opting for something more expensive, it may be worth trying a more accessible option, like a good lubricant.
Vaginal dryness is a relatively common problem3, but it is treatable. If the problem is not reduced libido, nor any of the factors mentioned, it is best to seek guidance from a gynecologist. Having a dry vagina is not only bad for your sex life. It is also an indicator that something in the body is not working well and needs to be checked.
