What vaginal atrophy feels like and how to treat it

For many women, menopause doesn’t arrive with a single defining moment. Instead, it shows up quietly — as dryness, discomfort, irritation, or pain during sex — leaving women wondering:

Is this normal?

• Is something wrong with me?

• Will this get worse?

• Can it be treated without hormones?

If you’ve asked any of these questions, you’re not alone.

Thousands of women describe the same experience: changes in vaginal comfort that feel confusing, distressing, and often under-explained.

This article explains what vaginal atrophy (also called Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause) actually is, what it feels like, why it happens, and the ways to manage it.

What is vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy (also called atrophic vaginitis or part of genitourinary syndrome of menopause) is when falling oestrogen levels lead to thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls and surrounding tissues.

This can happen in perimenopause, after menopause, after some cancer treatments, during breastfeeding, or whenever oestrogen is low, and it often affects the bladder and urethra as well as the vagina.

Oestrogen plays a key role in keeping vaginal tissue:

• Thick and elastic

• Well-hydrated

• Well supplied with blood

• Protected by a healthy, acidic pH
  
  

As estrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, these tissues gradually change.

What vaginal atrophy feels like?

One of the most repeated themes in menopause forums is uncertainty, many women don’t recognise symptoms at first.

Common descriptions include:

• Dryness and tightness: The vagina can feel less “plump” and more fragile, with less natural lubrication and a feeling of tightness or shortening.

• Burning, stinging, itching, soreness: The tissues are thinner and more easily irritated, so everyday activities, exercise, clothing or wiping after the toilet can sting or burn.

• Pain with sex (or even smear tests): Penetration can feel like friction, rawness or “two sheets of sandpaper rubbing together”, sometimes with spotting or light bleeding afterwards.

• More urinary symptoms: Because the urethra is also affected, some women notice burning when they wee or more frequent urinary tract infections.

Emotionally, this can feel frightening, ageing and isolating, especially if nobody has explained what is happening or how treatable it is.

One community member said:

“It felt like my skin had suddenly become paper-thin. Sex went from uncomfortable to impossible, and I had no idea why.”

Another writes:

“I thought I just wasn’t aroused enough. Turns out my body physically couldn’t lubricate the way it used to.”

These sensations are physical tissue changes, not a lack of desire, effort, or mindset.

The big questions women worry about

“Is this normal, or is something wrong?”

Over 50% of post‑menopausal women experience symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, yet many never get a diagnosis or treatment.

If you recognise yourself in the symptoms above, you are not alone and you are not “overreacting” – vaginal atrophy is a recognised medical condition with clear treatment options.

“Will sex always hurt now?”

No. Painful sex is a sign that your tissues are dry and unprotected, not that you have to give up on intimacy altogether.

With a long‑acting vaginal moisturiser (for everyday comfort), a high‑performance lubricant (for sex) and, where appropriate, local oestrogen prescribed by your clinician, many women return to comfortable, pleasurable sex.

“Is it dangerous if I ignore it?”

Vaginal atrophy is not “dangerous” in the way cancer is, but untreated dryness and thinning can lead to recurrent UTIs, micro‑tears, bleeding and persistent pain, which all impact quality of life.

Getting on top of symptoms early (with moisturisers, lubricants and medical treatment where needed) helps protect vaginal and urinary health in the long term.

“Do I have to use hormones?”

Non‑hormonal options like vaginal moisturisers and lubricants are recommended as first‑line treatment for many women and can make a big difference on their own.

Local vaginal oestrogen can be added by your doctor if needed and usually acts mainly on the tissues where it is applied, which is helpful for those who can safely use hormones.

How non‑hormonal products help (YES VM & YES WB)

Everyday comfort: YES VM vaginal moisturiser

YES VM is a water‑based vaginal moisturiser formulated with bio‑adhesive plant polymers that coat the vaginal walls and slowly release water into dry tissues, providing long‑lasting hydration for 1–3 days after application.

It is pH‑matched to typical vaginal pH and certified organic, free from glycerine, glycols and other common irritants that can disrupt the vaginal microbiome or encourage thrush, making it suitable for sensitive, atrophic tissue.

How this feels in real life:

Women often notice that burning, itching and that “fragile” feeling ease as the tissues rehydrate and become more supple again.

Because YES VM is slow‑release, it can become part of a simple self‑care routine – for example, applying every day at first, then every 2–3 days as your tissues recover (always following the product instructions and your clinician’s advice).

For sex and sudden dryness: YES WB water‑based lubricant

YES WB is a water‑based, pH‑balanced intimate lubricant designed to release water more rapidly than YES VM, giving immediate, silky lubrication and extra moisture exactly when you need it.

It is designed to feel “like the real thing”: no scent, no taste, no sticky residue, and free from glycerine, sugars, petrochemicals, parabens and hormones – all of which helps reduce irritation in already sensitive tissue.

How to use them together:

Think of YES VM as your baseline moisturiser for day‑to‑day comfort and vaginal health, and YES WB as your booster for sex, smear tests, pelvic exams or whenever extra slip and comfort are needed.

This “moisturiser + lubricant” approach mirrors clinical guidance that moisturisers provide longer‑term relief, while lubricants give short‑term comfort during intercourse.

Practical routine: small changes that make a big difference

Speak to a healthcare professional: If you notice persistent dryness, pain, bleeding or urinary symptoms, see your GP, menopause specialist or gynaecologist to rule out other causes and discuss local oestrogen or other treatments.

Build your at‑home care routine:

• Use YES VM regularly (for example, daily at first, then every 2–3 days) to restore and maintain hydration.

• Use YES WB generously before any kind of penetration (partner, toy, exam), and re‑apply as needed.

Be kind to your vulva: Avoid fragranced washes, harsh soaps and douches; warm water and gentle, pH‑appropriate products are usually enough to clean the area without stripping its natural defences.

Keep blood flow and flexibility: If sex feels right for you, regular comfortable sexual activity (including self‑stimulation) helps maintain blood flow and the elasticity of the vaginal tissues; if it does not feel right, focus first on comfort, moisturising and medical support.

Sources:

https://themenopausecharity.org/information-and-support/symptoms/vaginal-dryness/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559297/

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations