What Is Vaginal Dryness? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Women's HealthVaginal Health & Conditions

What Is Vaginal Dryness? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

What Is Vaginal Dryness? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
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Updated on February 28, 2026
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Vaginal dryness refers to a drop in the amount of vaginal fluid you produce, leading to pain or discomfort while sitting, peeing, exercising, and having sex.

 It’s a common condition in older women, affecting over half of all postmenopausal women between age 51 and 60, according to Women’s Health Concern.

 However, it can happen at any age.

A range of factors can cause vaginal dryness, including low estrogen, autoimmune diseases, depression, stress, chemical irritants, and smoking. Despite its links to vaginal discomfort and painful sex, vaginal dryness can be treated by several medications, lubricants, and complementary treatments to help women reduce its effects on daily life.

This article can help you navigate the symptoms and causes of vaginal dryness, as well as treatments.

Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal dryness occurs when the tissues of the vagina are not well lubricated. It can occur at any age but is more common in older women. You may notice these symptoms:

  • Pain or discomfort during penetrative sexual intercourse
  • Light bleeding after intercourse
  • Soreness, itching, or burning of the vagina
  • Mild vaginal discharge

Causes and Risk Factors of Vaginal Dryness

A number of factors may contribute to vaginal or genital dryness.

Low Estrogen

Vaginal dryness most often results from decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that helps keep the tissues of your vagina lubricated and healthy. Many factors can cause estrogen depletion:

Douching and Other Irritants

Certain soaps, lotions, perfumes, laundry detergents, and douches can disrupt the natural balance of chemicals in your vagina, leading to dryness. Also, some tampons and condoms can cause irritation.

Other Medications

Allergy, cold, and asthma medicines that contain antihistamines can have a drying effect on the body and contribute to reduced vaginal lubrication.

 Certain antidepressants may also lead to a reduction in vaginal secretions.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that can cause dryness in the eyes, mouth, and vagina. According to Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Center, women living with Sjögren’s syndrome report vaginal dryness 2 to 3 times as often as those of the same age who don’t have it.

How Is Vaginal Dryness Diagnosed?

Visit your doctor if you have symptoms of vaginal dryness that are severe or don't go away. Your healthcare provider will ask about symptoms and medications you take. They may also perform the following tests:

  • Pelvic exam to determine whether the walls of your vagina are thin, pale, or red
  • Blood tests to check hormone levels and look for other issues that might be a cause
  • Tests of vaginal discharge to check for other possible causes of dryness

Treatment and Medication Options for Vaginal Dryness

There are various ways to treat vaginal dryness, depending on its cause.

Medication

  • Topical Estrogen Available as a tablet, cream, vaginal suppository, or ring that you place directly into the vagina, topical estrogen can alleviate symptoms of vaginal dryness.

  • Ospemifene (Osphena) This estrogen agonist-antagonist, or selective estrogen receptor modulator, is the only oral product that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for the treatment of vaginal dryness and moderate to severe dyspareunia (painful sex). However, not enough evidence supports its safety for use in people who live with or have a high risk of breast cancer.

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone This vaginal suppository can help alleviate painful sexual intercourse.

Complementary and Integrative Therapies

  • Regular sexual stimulation and activity, with a partner or alone (masturbation), can help keep tissue in the vagina moist and promote healthy vaginal tissue.

  • Talk with your healthcare provider about the safety of topically applied natural oils, such as coconut, olive, or sweet almond oils. (These may not be the best option if you’re concerned about STIs, however, as these oils can destroy condoms.)

Lubricants and Moisturizers

  • Regularly using vaginal moisturizers (such as Replens, Lubrin, Sylk, and vitamin E vaginal suppositories) can help you reduce dryness, regardless of whether you have sexual intercourse or not. Read the product labels carefully: Paraben- and propylene glycol-containing ingredients can be irritating to the skin.

  • Vaginal lubricants are used just prior to penetrative sexual intercourse. Water-based products with glycerin include Astroglide, Luvena, K-Y Jelly, and Vagisil. Those without glycerin, which may irritate some women, include products by Isabel Fay. Carrageenan-based products are also glycerin-free. Silicone-based products (like K-Y True Feel Premium, Swiss Navy, and Wet Platinum) are safe to use with condoms.

Prevention of Vaginal Dryness

You can prevent or minimize vaginal dryness by having regular sexual activity, either solo or with a partner or partners. This can help improve blood flow to the vagina and maintain healthy vaginal tissues.

Lifestyle Changes for Vaginal Dryness

Avoid the use of douches, perfumes, and deodorants in or near your vaginal area, and washing only with perfume- and dye-free soaps can help you prevent vaginal irritation.

Allowing more time for foreplay before sex to arouse and stimulate yourself can also increase vaginal secretions and reduce vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.

How Long Does Vaginal Dryness Last?

Vaginal dryness is often undertreated because so many women feel uncomfortable about addressing the issue with their healthcare provider. Only one-quarter of women with the issue seek treatment.

If not addressed, vaginal dryness can severely impact quality of life. However, getting the proper treatment can easily correct the issue.

Vaginal dryness will continue until a woman gets the right treatment or addresses a temporary cause, such as breastfeeding or medication.

Complications of Vaginal Dryness

Some conditions are associated with vaginal dryness rather than occurring as a direct result:

Research and Statistics: Who Has Vaginal Dryness?

Here are the numbers:

  • About 50 percent of menopausal women experience vaginal dryness.

  • It's possible that as many as 90 percent of those women don't seek medical help.

  • Approximately 17 percent of women age 18 to 50 have problems with vaginal dryness during sex, even before menopause occurs.

Disparities and Inequities in Vaginal Dryness

Some research suggests that women from different ethnic backgrounds may experience inequities in reporting and documenting symptoms.

In one study, Black women veterans were less likely than white women veterans to have their menopause symptoms listed in their medical records and received hormone therapy less often.

Hispanic women veterans were also less likely to be given oral or patch hormone therapy but more likely to get a prescription for vaginal estrogen, even though their reported symptoms were similar to those of others.

Related Conditions to Vaginal Dryness

These conditions are related to vaginal dryness:

The Takeaway

  • Vaginal dryness is a common issue, especially among postmenopausal women, but it can affect any woman due to factors like hormonal changes or the use of certain medications.
  • Effective treatments for vaginal dryness are available, including topical estrogen, oral therapy like Osphena, and various lubricants; a consultation with a healthcare provider can help you find the best approach.
  • Natural remedies, such as regular sexual activity and certain natural oils like coconut oil, may provide some relief. Confirm their safety with your healthcare provider, especially regarding condom compatibility.
  • If you experience severe discomfort or persistent symptoms, seek medical help to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

FAQ

What can cause vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is usually caused by decreasing levels of estrogen, a hormone that helps lubricate vaginal tissues. Many factors can cause a decrease in estrogen, including menopause or perimenopause, childbirth, breastfeeding, smoking, and severe depression and stress.
Some soaps, perfumes, and douches can disrupt the natural balance of chemicals in your vagina and lead to dryness. Medications that contain antihistamines and certain antidepressants may have a drying effect on the body, which can reduce vaginal lubrication.

Lubricants can be used just before intercourse. Vaginal moisturizers such as Replens may also help when used regularly. And if your doctor thinks it’s safe, topical estrogen and a medication called Osphena could reduce dryness.

Avoid douching or using deodorants in the area, and wash only with perfume- and dye-free soaps. Regular sexual stimulation, with a partner or alone, can help keep vaginal tissue moist and healthy.
If you're looking for a lubricant with natural ingredients, vitamin E vaginal suppositories may help. And regular sexual activity, especially if you allow more time for foreplay, which can increase vaginal secretions, is one very natural remedy.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Vaginal Dryness. Cleveland Clinic. February 3, 2026.
  2. Vaginal dryness. Women’s Health Concern. October 2023.
  3. Vaginal dryness. Mayo Clinic. February 21, 2026.
  4. Vaginal dryness. National Library of Medicine. July 12, 2023.
  5. Piha MOW et al. Female sexual dysfunction as an adverse effect of drugs: a narrative review. Maturitas. August 2025.
  6. Gynecologic problems. Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Center.
  7. Vaginal dryness after menopause: How to treat it? Mayo Clinic. May 14, 2024.
  8. North American Menopause Society. The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement. Menopause. 2020.
  9. What Works for Vaginal Dryness, and Is Natural Best? Cleveland Clinic. February 15, 2022.
  10. Vaginal atrophy. Mayo Clinic. December 20, 2025.
  11. Don't ignore vaginal dryness and pain. Harvard Health Publishing. August 17, 2021.
  12. Blanken A et al. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Diagnosis and Management of Menopause Symptoms among Midlife Women Veterans. Menopause. July 1, 2022.
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Kara Smythe, MD

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Kara Smythe, MD, has been working in sexual and reproductive health for over 10 years. Dr. Smythe is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and her interests include improving maternal health, ensuring access to contraception, and promoting sexual health.

She graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a bachelor's degree in biology and earned her medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. She worked in Maine for six years, where she had the privilege of caring for an underserved population.

Smythe is also passionate about the ways that public health policies shape individual health outcomes. She has a master’s degree in population health from University College London and recently completed a social science research methods master's degree at Cardiff University. She is currently working on her PhD in medical sociology. Her research examines people's experiences of accessing, using, and discontinuing long-acting reversible contraception.

When she’s not working, Smythe enjoys dancing, photography, and spending time with her family and her cat, Finnegan.

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