Vaginal dryness: 4 tips and tricks to combat discomfort

Vaginal dryness is a condition resulting from a lack of oestrogen. Source: Getty

Hot flushes, cold flushes, night sweats, insomnia, irritability, dry skin, dry eyes, dry mouth; menopause impacts every part of the body. One symptom often reported, but less discussed, is vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness is a condition resulting from a lack of oestrogen, often due to menopause. This lack of oestrogen causes not only vaginal dryness, but a swathe of other concerns too.

There are a plethora of treatments for vaginal dryness, but here are the best, most recommended solutions for combatting this less-than-slippery issue:

1. Water

The average adult should drink at least eight glasses of water every day, which equates to about 1.5 litres. This aids in hydration, which is great at boosting lubrication of the vagina. Having a cute water bottle can help motivate you to drink water too. Additionally, reducing coffee and alcohol consumption as much as possible also aids in hydration. (Sorry guys!)

2. Flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil works wonders for those experiencing vaginal dryness, as it has “oestrogen-like effects” on the body. Additionally, flaxseed oil promotes cardiovascular health, aids in digestion, and may even improve skin health and inflammation. This little miracle oil can be added to meals, or be taken as a supplement.

3. Have more sex

If you have vaginal dryness, having more sex may be the very last thing you’d like to do. And if your vaginal dryness is particularly troublesome, this is not advised. But if your dryness is only mild, sex can assist in the promotion of natural lubrication.

4. Strengthen your pelvic floor

Pelvic exercises target the muscles of the pelvic floor that support the rectum, vagina, and urethra. Not only will doing these lead to a better sex life by increasing blood circulation to your entire pelvic region, but they also aid in stimulating vaginal lubrication. What’s more, they strengthen your pelvic floor, providing better urine control and fewer urgent trips to the bathroom.

And remember: while it may seem embarrassing to bring up the topic of vaginal dryness with your doctor, it is an important medical condition. If it is affecting your life and making you feel uncomfortable, see your doctor.

IMPORTANT INFO We write about products and services we think you might like and may receive payment if you click on the links in this article or go on to make a purchase. 
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.

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