Vaginal dryness a common issue among women

Issues such as intimate well-being are very personal, and many people don’t feel comfortable discussing intimate problems. There’s no doubt about it: nobody enjoys talking about vaginal dryness.

If you suffer from dryness of the vagina and vulva (the external genital area), you are not alone! We find that it’s important to discuss it. Vaginal dryness is totally normal and can occur at various life stages. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that we just have to accept it. The good thing is that there are ways and means of alleviating the symptoms, also without taking hormones.

‘Vaginal dryness’ is often used to describe discomfort in both the vagina and the vulva (external genital area) – also referred to as vulvovaginal dryness. The vagina feels noticeably dry. Lubrication – the natural moistening of the vaginal skin by the body’s own fluids – is not always sufficient, which can cause considerable discomfort. In addition, the vaginal skin becomes thinner, more sensitive and blood flow to the area reduces. The skin of the vulva also becomes noticeably drier and more sensitive to external stimuli. The skin in the external intimate area produces less of its own lipids and is less able to retain moisture. This lack of moisture can lead to various complaints in the long term. Dryness in the intimate area often causes an unpleasant pinching sensation in everyday situations such as when sitting, walking or cycling. This can also make sex or going to the toilet painful. Find out more about the symptoms of vulvovaginal dryness and how to alleviate them.

The hormone oestrogen plays a key role in vulvovaginal dryness. It promotes cell renewal, elasticity and the skin’s moisture balance – including in the intimate area. It also controls the production of important skin components such as lipids (fats), collagen and hyaluronic acid. A lack of oestrogen causes vulvovaginal atrophy, meaning the skin of the vagina and vulva becomes weaker and more fragile. This leads to reduced blood flow to the vaginalskin, causing it to become thinner and retain less moisture. It also causes changes to the external intimate area: the labia (lips of the vulva) lose volume and the skin becomes drier, more sensitive and less elastic.

However, younger women may also be affected. For example, certain medications, cancer treatments or even psychological factors can affect the natural moisture balance of the vagina.

Dryness in the genital area is a sensitive topic. It’s also impedes on everyday life to a great extent, as it affects both our your overall well-being and love life. Vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable and painful, as the vagina is not sufficiently moist and becomes sore easily. This can result in burning pain. This is because the thin vaginal skin is not sufficiently moisturised and is prone to becoming sore, which can lead to a burning sensation.

Many women experience vulvovaginal dryness during the menopause. During the menopause, your hormone levels naturally change. Your body produces less oestrogen, making the skin of the vagina thinner and reducing its fluid secretion. This can contribute to vaginal dryness, which makes the vagina more sensitive and also more susceptible to infections like vaginal thrush.

With proper care of your intimate area, you can relieve discomfort and help prevent further dryness. Learn more about how to prevent and gently treat vaginal dryness.