Vaginal dryness

What is vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy, is caused by a change in the hormone levels in a woman’s body.

The symptoms include soreness around the vagina, pain and discomfort during sex and needing to urinate more often.

Oestrogen is the female sex hormone. It’s produced in women of childbearing age to keep the vagina lubricated and its pH levels balanced. A lack of oestrogen causes the lining of the vaginal walls to become thinner and drier, causing pain and itching. A lack of oestrogen also causes the vaginal walls to become less stretchy, making sexual intercourse painful.

Who gets vaginal dryness?

It’s usually affects women going through the menopause, due to the lower levels of oestrogen produced by the body.

Levels of oestrogen also fall after childbirth and continue through breastfeeding, and this can cause vaginal dryness.

How common is vaginal dryness?

One study found that up to 67% of women were affected by vaginal dryness a year after going through the menopause. The same study showed that over 70% of women experience some form of vaginal dryness six years after the menopause.^[1]

After giving birth, oestrogen levels in the body drop and remain low for several months if you’re breastfeeding. 46% of new mothers report having vaginal dryness.^[2]

What causes vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is usually caused by low levels of the female hormone, oestrogen. Levels of this hormone are low during and after the menopause, after childbirth and during breastfeeding and during some cancer treatments. They can also be affected by some contraceptive pills.

If you’re unsure about the cause of your vaginal dryness it’s best to talk to a clinician about your symptoms and experiences, as this will ensure that you get the right treatment.

What are the symptoms of vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness can be both painful and irritating.

The symptoms of vaginal dryness include:

• a sore or itchy feeling around the vagina
• pain or discomfort during sex
• the need to pee more often
• recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Can vaginal dryness lead to other problems?

Vaginal dryness itself isn’t usually dangerous, but it can be very uncomfortable and frustrating. The effects can be difficult to deal with psychologically and lead to low mood and irritability. It may also get in the way of activities like swimming and playing sports.

Vaginal dryness can have a big effect on your enjoyment of sex. It can lead to painful and uncomfortable sex as well as bleeding afterwards.

It’s always a good idea to seek medical help for vaginal dryness in order to rule out any other health concerns such as UTIs.