Vaginal DrynessSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is present when the tissues of the vagina are not well-lubricated and healthy.
Vaginitis - atrophic; Vaginitis due to reduced estrogen; Atrophic vaginitis; Menopause vaginal dryness
Atrophic vaginitis is caused by a decrease in estrogen.
Estrogen keeps the tissues of the vagina lubricated and healthy. Normally, the lining of the vagina makes a clear, lubricating fluid. This fluid makes sexual intercourse more comfortable. It also helps decrease vaginal dryness.
If estrogen levels drop, the tissues of the vagina gradually shrink and become thinner. This causes dryness and inflammation.
Estrogen levels normally drop after menopause. The following may also cause estrogen levels to drop:
- Medicines or hormones used in the treatment of breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, or infertility
- Surgery to remove the ovaries
- Radiation treatment to the pelvic area
- Chemotherapy
- Severe stress
- Depression
- Smoking
Some women develop this problem right after childbirth or while breastfeeding. Estrogen levels are lower at these times.
The vagina can also become further irritated from soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, perfumes, or douches. Certain medicines, smoking, tampons, and condoms may also cause or worsen vaginal dryness.
Symptoms include:
- Burning on urination
- Light bleeding after intercourse
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Slight vaginal discharge
- Vaginal soreness, itching or burning
There are many treatments for vaginal dryness. Before treating your symptoms on your own, a health care provider must find out the cause of the problem.
- Try using lubricants and vaginal moisturizing creams. They will often moisten the area for several hours, up to a day. These can be bought without prescription.
- Use of a water-soluble vaginal lubricant during intercourse may help. Products with petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or other oils may damage latex condoms or diaphragms.
- Avoid scented soaps, lotions, perfumes, or douches.
Prescription estrogen can work well to treat atrophic vaginitis. It is available as a cream, tablet, suppository, or ring. All of these are placed directly into the vagina. These medicines deliver estrogen directly to the vaginal area. Only a little estrogen is absorbed into the bloodstream. The use of topical vaginal estrogen may also reduce your chances of developing a urinary tract infection. That is particularly true if you have a history of recurrent urinary tract infections.
You may take estrogen (hormone therapy) in the form of a skin patch, or in a pill that you take by mouth if you have hot flashes or other symptoms of menopause. The pill or patch may not provide adequate estrogen to treat your vaginal dryness. In such cases, you may need to add a vaginal hormone medicine as well. If so, talk to your provider about this.
You should discuss the risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy with your provider.
EVMS Health Services
David Archer is a Reproductive Medicine provider in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Archer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginal Dryness. His top areas of expertise are Menopause, Menorrhagia, Vaginal Dryness, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Intrauterine Device Insertion.
Texas Health Womens Care
Dr. Tina Thai was born and raised in Texas, spending much of her early years in the Austin area before starting her undergraduate studies in Killeen, Texas. She later earned her medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth. She completed her Ob/Gyn residency at Texas Tech University Health Science Center Permian Basin in Odessa, where she was chief resident in her final year of training. Dr. Thai has served the women’s care needs of the Plano community since 2021. She evaluates and manages a broad range of obstetrical and gynecological concerns and is skilled in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted surgeries. Dr. Thai is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and American Medical Association. When not with her patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband and fur baby, Buddy, playing tennis, and doing arts and crafts projects. Dr. Thai is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is also a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and American Medical Association. Dr. Thai is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginal Dryness. Her top areas of expertise are Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Carney Complex, Intestinal Leiomyoma, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Salpingo-Oophorectomy.
Texas Health Womens Care
Dr. Manisha Parikh has served the health care needs of women in the DFW area since 2006. In addition to her practice, she has served as vice chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Texas Health HEB since 2021. She is also an assistant professor at Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine in Fort Worth. Dr. Parikh is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and holds certification in the da Vinci robotic surgical system. Her clinical interests include adolescent gynecology; minimally invasive and hysteroscopic surgical procedures; and the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), ectopic pregnancy and hormone imbalance. Dr. Parikh earned her medical degree at Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, serving as chief resident in her final year. Dr. Parikh is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is a member of the Texas Medical Association and Tarrant County Medical Society. Dr. Parikh has been recognized numerous times as a Top Doc by Fort Worth Magazine and Southlake Magazine and as a Mom Approved Doctor by Fort Worth Child Magazine. Dr. Parikh is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Vaginal Dryness. Her top areas of expertise are Carney Complex, Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Intestinal Leiomyoma, Intrauterine Device Insertion, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Proper treatment will ease symptoms most of the time.
Vaginal dryness can:
- Make you more likely to get yeast or bacterial infections of the vagina.
- Cause sores or cracks in the walls of the vagina.
- Cause pain with sexual intercourse, which may affect your relationship with your partner or spouse. (Talking openly with your partner may help.)
- Increase your risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTI).
Contact your provider if you have vaginal dryness or soreness, burning, itching, or painful sexual intercourse that does not go away when you use a water-soluble lubricant.
Summary: This study aims to explore the positive effect of a dietary supplement composed of wheat polar lipids on vaginal dryness in healthy postmenopausal women
Published Date: July 03, 2025
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Female genitalia. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 10th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2023:chap 19.
Eckert LO, Lentz GM. Genital tract infections: vulva, vagina, cervix, toxic shock syndrome, endometritis, and salpingitis. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 23.
Lobo RA. Menopause and care of the mature woman: endocrinology, consequences of estrogen deficiency, effects of hormone therapy, and other treatment options. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 14.
Santoro N, Neal-Perry G. Menopause. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 222.