Dry vagina occurs to the best of us: One day, you wake up and notice your vagina feels like the freaking Sahara. Vaginal dryness can range from uncomfortable to straight-up painful. But what are you supposed to do about it?
While using a silicone-based lube can be helpful, experts say there are plenty of other things you can do to make a dry vagina happy again. Try one (or all!) of these to get back to normal:
Ease up on cold meds
Antihistamines don’t just dry out your sinuses. “In the same way that they can dry up a runny nose, they can cause a decrease in vaginal secretions,” says Maura Quinlan, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Northwestern University School of Medicine.
Antihistamines don’t just dry out your sinuses. “In the same way that they can dry up a runny nose, they can cause a decrease in vaginal secretions,” says Maura Quinlan, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Northwestern University School of Medicine.
Take a closer look at your birth control pills Michael Ingber, M.D., a urogynecologist atThe Center for Specialized Women's Health says hormonal changes from birth control pills can dry things up down there. If you suspect that this is the reason for your dryness, talk to your doctor about other birth control pills or options.
Rethink how you wash up
Douches and soaps can wick away moisture that your vagina needs to work well, Ingber says. “In general, we tell women not to use anything that contains alcohol or glycerin as this can be irritating to the vagina,” he says.
Douches and soaps can wick away moisture that your vagina needs to work well, Ingber says. “In general, we tell women not to use anything that contains alcohol or glycerin as this can be irritating to the vagina,” he says.
Avoid feminine sprays
Sprays that promise to make you smell amazing down there sound good in theory, but they can also dry you out big time. “Those should never be used, but can make dryness worse,” Quinlan says.
Sprays that promise to make you smell amazing down there sound good in theory, but they can also dry you out big time. “Those should never be used, but can make dryness worse,” Quinlan says.
Pass the tofu
Foods that increase the levels of estrogen in your body can help, says Quinlan. That’s why she recommends having more soy-based foods like edamame, tofu, or soy milk.
Foods that increase the levels of estrogen in your body can help, says Quinlan. That’s why she recommends having more soy-based foods like edamame, tofu, or soy milk.
You may have dry days here and there, but if you find that it’s a persistent problem that lasts for more than a week or you’re having itching, pain, or bleeding, Quinlan says it’s time to call your doctor.