About 80% of women will experience vaginal dryness, discomfort, and pain during intercourse. Dryness can be a symptom of menopause and aging, but is also associated with tampon use, physical activity, medication use, endocrine disorders, breast-feeding, and stress, to name a few. Dryness can predispose a woman to develop problems with odor, recurrent infections and irritation. Additionally, dryness can make a woman more vulnerable to develop recurrent urinary tract infections. It is important to understand that the use of personal moisturizers is different than of lubricants.
Personal Moisturizers
While lubricant use is typically associated with sexual intercourse and activity, a moisturizer is used to help maintain the integrity of the tissue.
A few options for vaginal moisturizers are:
Luvena
Emerita
A moisturizer that also contains herbal extracts to help heal dry and irritated skin. This product does not come with a pre-filled applicator (like Luvena and Replens); it is applied. It is intended to be used as needed. This product is free of parabens, petrochemicals and mineral oil.
Replens
A moisturizer that comes in a pre-filled applicator and is recommended to be used every 3 days or as needed.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E suppositories or an opened gel cap can be used to soothe and moisturize tissue. These can be used daily.
Lubricants
At any age, lubrication is an important part of a healthy sex life. The use of a non-irritant lubricant helps to prevent irritation that is associated with sexual intercourse. Ideally, a lubricant would feel somewhat natural and would be used fairly liberally when engaging in sexual activity.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a lubricant:
- How does it feel?
- Is there any irritation associated with the use of your lubricant?
- How does the quality or texture of the lubricant change with use?
- Does it become sticky or thicken as you use it?
- Does your lubricant contain parabens or petrochemicals?
These chemical compounds are listed as known carcinogens. It is thought that the overall body exposure through the use of lubricants is likely negligible, but we also recognize the importance of knowing what you are exposing yourself to. There are many lubricants on the market.
Our product recommendations include:
Good Clean Love “Almost Naked” Personal Lubricant
Good Clean Love organic lubricant is aloe based infused with lemon and vanilla. Designed for the most sensitive skin, Good Clean Love is a long-lasting glide without irritating chemicals. Enhance your sex life without the side-effects.
BabeLube – NEW Improved Formula
BabeLube is formulated without parabens, glycerin ands is gluten-free. This lubricant is great for sensitive skin with minimal scents and tastes. It is non-sticky and doesn’t stain. BabeLube is appropriate for use with sex toys made with various materials and is ideal for vaginal penetration.
It may be necessary to try several products before finding the one that works best for you.
Other treatment options:
MonaLisa Touch laser is a non-hormonal option for treating the symptoms of menopause including vaginal dryness, itching and burning, painful sex or dyspareunia. These symptoms are medically referred to as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). The fractionated CO2 laser treatment is much like your annual exam. The laser is an in-office procedure administered by one of our physicians. The purpose of the laser is to stimulate collagen growth and blood flow improving the mucosa to promote moisture and functionality of the treated area.