Vaginal dryness is a natural change in intimate lubrication that can cause a lot of discomfort and burning for women during day-to-day life, and can also cause pain during intimate contact.
Although this change is more frequent in menopause, due to the decrease in hormones that maintain vaginal lubrication, dryness can also happen in young women, especially when using an oral contraceptive.
However, there are several forms of treatment that can be discussed with the gynecologist and that can help relieve symptoms, allowing for an increase in vaginal lubrication. Some of these options include:
1. Creams for vaginal dryness
Creams for the lack of female lubrication are usually the first treatment option recommended by the gynecologist, and there are different types:
- Vaginal moisturizing creams: create a lubricating and protective layer of vaginal flora that lasts for a few hours or days, relieving symptoms without using hormones or having side effects; Low-dose estradiol creams, such as Premarin or Ovestrion: are applied to the vaginal canal to stimulate the woman's natural lubrication through the effect of estrogen and, therefore, are more effective than hormone-free moisturizers.
These creams can be applied with the finger or with the applicator that is provided in the packaging, however, in many cases the applicator can put the cream very deep, making it difficult to completely lubricate the entire vaginal wall.
Normal lubricating creams for intimate contact, such as KY, Jontex or Prudence, can also be used, but only at the time of intercourse, to increase lubrication. Vaseline, on the other hand, should be avoided whenever possible, because it is a petroleum-based product that facilitates the onset of infections.
2. Estrogen pills
Estrogen pills, like Ovestrion or Evista, are similar to the birth control pill and work by increasing the amount of this hormone in the body. Thus, it is possible to stimulate natural lubrication, relieving vaginal dryness.
Although these remedies have good results and are as effective as moisturizers, they can have some side effects such as headache, nausea and even increased risk of thrombosis, for example. Therefore, these pills should only be used under the guidance of a gynecologist.
3. Food supplements
The use of some dietary supplements can help improve vaginal lubrication. Some of the most recommended include:
- Vitamin E: this vitamin increases the amount of blood in the walls of the vagina, improving local lubrication. To have an effect, doses should be between 50 to 400 IU per day. The effects can usually be seen about 1 month after starting to use; Vitamin D: is a supplement that reduces the pH of the vagina and, therefore, relieves the dryness associated with the increase in pH; Maca: is a medicinal plant that increases the amount of estrogens in the body, improving vaginal lubrication. Usually the recommended dose is 2g per day.
Ideally, these supplements should be guided by a nutritionist or naturopath, in order to obtain the best results. This type of treatment can also be associated with any of the other treatments for vaginal dryness.
4. Diet with phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are substances similar to the hormone estrogen found in food and, therefore, can be ingested in order to have a similar action to that hormone in the body, stimulating lubrication.
Some examples of this type of food include flaxseed, soy, tofu, yam, alfalfa sprouts, barley and pumpkin seeds, for example. A good tip is to consult a nutritionist to make a richer and more balanced diet of these substances. See some examples with our nutritionist:
