Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal Dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis, is a common and distressing condition which can affect women at any stage of their adult life, causing embarrassment, a sense of loss and, at times, extreme physical discomfort. Approximately 80% of women will experience vaginal dryness due to hormonal changes at some point in their lives.

A comfortable, naturally moist vagina which responds to sexual arousal with a surge of vaginal lubrication, can feel like a woman’s birth right. The loss of this, temporarily or otherwise, can come as a shock, and be capable of undermining a woman’s sense of her innate womanliness and desirability.

If you’d like to know more, download our complete guide on vaginal dryness by filling in the form on this page. You’ll receive a link to download a pdf file which contains all the information you need about the causes, symptoms and possible treatments for vaginal dryness.

What Causes Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal tissue is kept elastic, comfortable and moist by lubrication which is created by glands at the neck of the womb and governed by the body’s production of oestrogen. When the ovaries’ production of oestrogen is disrupted, which can happen for a number of reasons, the change in lubrication can make the vagina feel itchy, dry and irritated.

The most common cause of a decrease in oestrogen levels is the menopause .  During this period, the body decreases its production of oestrogen, leading to thinner vaginal tissue and fewer lubricating glands. However, menopause is not the only cause of vaginal dryness. There are a number of possible reasons which can affect hormone production:

  • Life events such as childbirth and breastfeeding
  • Hormone treatments such as HRT and contraceptives
  • Illness such as cancer and its treatments
  • Medications such as anti-depressants and hay-fever remedies
  • Reaction to substances such as nicotine and alcohol
  • Intolerance to preparations used in the vulvar area such as douches and harsh soaps
  • Deep emotional upsets.

What are the Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness? 

Vaginal dryness can be identified by various symptoms:

  • Dryness, burning, stinging, swelling, chaffing and bleeding
  • Discomfort if the vulva is inflamed and sore
  • Pain when you have sex (e.g. dyspareunia)
  • Infection and discharge may be experienced. The normal vaginal mucus, acidity and tissue elasticity protect against vaginal and urinary tract infections. When these are reduced, so are the natural defences, and infection meets less resistance. If you feel you have an infection, like bacterial vaginosis, please seek medical advice
  • Itching provokes scratching, which aggravates the itching, which leads to more furious scratching – or to the intolerable effort of not scratching. The sensitive skin around the vulva when weakened is prone to damage, inflammation and itching.

 

Natural Treatment & Remedy for Vaginal Dryness 

If enough lubrication is not being naturally produced by a woman’s own body, she can ease the dryness and relieve the discomfort with the use of a commercially available water-based intimate lubricant or vaginal moisturiser. Certified organic YES® WB water-based personal lubricant and YES® VM vaginal moisturiser offer superior moisturising power and purity, are soothing, kind and rapidly effective. Guaranteed pure and natural by their certified organic status, they both offer instant relief from itching and soreness. Their differing formulations offer you choice depending on your needs. Both YES® VM and YES® WB protect, hydrate, moisturise and lubricate sensitive tissues naturally.

 

Choosing between YES® WB & YES® VM to treat vaginal dryness

 

Other Treatments for Vaginal Dryness

Many other available treatments / lubricants / douches are not ideal for treating vaginal dryness:

They have sugar (glycerines) in them which can feed and exacerbate candida and yeast infections.

  • They are seldom the correct pH for compatibility with the mucus membranes of the vagina, making it susceptible to infection and irritation
  • They can work hormonally, which is not always desirable, particularly for women with hormonally sensitive conditions.
  • They have silicone ingredients which coat the surface of the irritated skin in a “cling film” effect which can inhibit healing and the absorption of water.
  • Some complementary therapies such as acupuncture may help. Wild Yam extract, black cohosh and soy isoflavones are also promoted as aids in vaginal dryness and the avoidance of douches, bubble baths and lotions is recommended. Do consult your doctor if you experience painful or persistent symptoms.

Why should I use YES®?

  • YES® WB & YES® VM both provide soothing relief from burning, irritation and discomfort.
  • All YES® products are formulated with ingredients that have proven track records as skin foods, so you can trust that your delicate tissues will be treated tenderly.
  • YES® WB & YES® VM are both suitable for use as an intimate moisturiser and sexual lubricant.
  • YES® WB & YES® VM are both pH balanced to restore and maintain the typical, slightly acidic, vaginal environment. This ensures you retain your natural protection against thrush.
  • YES® WB & YES® VM are both hormone and paraben free.
  • All YES products are free from all known skin irritants: certified organic and hypoallergenic.
  • YES® WB & VM are recommended by a wide range of healthcare professionals and are available on NHS prescription (YES® WB is available on the NHS as YES® water-based vaginal lubricant).
  • Check our 100% satisfaction guarantee policy

Many women with sensitive skin may experience adverse reactions to the ingredients in glycerine/glycol based lubricants, but can use all Yes® products with confidence due to their guaranteed pure, natural and gentle ingredients.