Menopause vaginal dryness can result in painful sex, itching and burning and other symptoms we may not necessarily associate with menopause, including urinary symptoms.
Vaginal Dryness
What is the association between vaginal dryness and menopause?
In Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? the author explains:
“Vaginal dryness can be a problem for many people after menopause. Vaginal dryness is the main symptom of what’s called genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The syndrome used to be called atrophic vaginitis or vaginal atrophy”.In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – What Can Affect Your Sex Life? Dry Vagina and Pain During Sex the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:
“The loss of oestrogen at menopause causes changes in the tissues of your vagina and vulva. This means your vagina becomes drier and less elastic, which can lead to vaginal irritation, vaginal atrophy and pain during sex”.
Common or Not
How common is vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA)?
In Vaginal Atrophy: Overview – How Common Is Vaginal Atrophy? (GSM) the Cleveland Clinic note:
“At least half of women and people AFAB who enter menopause show signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Vaginal dryness is typically the first indication that a person is developing vaginal atrophy”.
Vaginal Dryness Treatment Options
What are some vaginal dryness treatment options?
In Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options, published December 2022, the North American Menopause Society (now the Menopause Society) elaborate on:
- “Nonhormone Remedies
- Vaginal Lubricants…
- Vaginal Moisturizers…
- Regular Sexual Stimulation…
- Expanding Your Views of Sexual Pleasure…
- Vaginal Dilators…
- Pelvic Floor Exercises…
- Vaginal Hormone Therapy…
- Low-dose local estrogen…
- FDA-approved low-dose vaginal estrogen products…
- Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; Prasterone)
- Low-dose vaginal estrogen or DHEA and a history breast or uterine cancer…
- Systemic Estrogen Therapy
- Other Therapies…
- Ospemifene
- Vaginal Laser Therapy…”.
Vaginal Oestrogen
How effective is vaginal oestrogen?
In the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:
- “Low-dose and ultra-low dose vaginal oestrogen preparations can be taken by perimenopausal and menopausal women experiencing genitourinary symptoms and continued for as long as required. All vaginal oestrogen preparations have been shown to be effective in this context and there is no requirement to combine vaginal oestrogens with systemic progestogen treatment for endometrial protection, as low-dose and ultra-low dose vaginal oestrogen preparations do not result in significant systemic absorption or endometrial hyperplasia”.
Health Care Provider
What if I think I have vaginal dryness?
On page three in Vaginal Dryness: What To Do Next the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:
“Recognising that vaginal dryness is normal and common is the first step to helping yourself. The next is to talk to your doctor, who can recommend a treatment to suit you”.
On page two in Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options the Menopause Society note:
“Notes: Vaginal and vulvar symptoms not related to menopause include yeast infections, allergic reactions, and certain skin conditions, so consult your healthcare professional if symptoms do not improve with treatment”.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause and Vaginal Dryness?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Health Topics A-Z
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Hormone Therapy and Vaginal Dryness
- Hormone Therapy and Vaginal Estrogen
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Menopause
- Menopause Videos 2025
- Sexual Health and Libido
- Sexual Health and Menopause
- Sexual Health and Painful Intercourse
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options
Links
Where may I find Links related to Menopause and Vaginal Dryness?
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Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause [Video]
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: Since going through menopause, I often have vaginal dryness. The dryness makes having sex painful. Is there anything I can do about it? [14 May 2024]
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies [18 October 2024]
- What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There? [March 2024]
- Which Vaginal Moisturiser Should You Use? [March 2025]
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause [Video]
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen: About Vaginal Oestrogen
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen: Common Questions About Vaginal Oestrogen
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen: Side Effects of Vaginal Estrogen
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Painful Sex
- Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships- Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid
- Managing Your Symptoms: Managing Bladder, Vaginal and Vulval Problems
- Menopause Checklist Podcast: Episode 6: Hello Lubricant!
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- Sexual Problems and Menopause
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It?
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: Since going through menopause, I often have vaginal dryness. The dryness makes having sex painful. Is there anything I can do about it?
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal Oestrogen Is A Treatment on the Rise, But Is It Safe?
- Vaginal and Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
- What Is the Difference Between Vagifem and Estring?
- What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There?
- When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
- Which Vaginal Moisturiser Should You Use?
- World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women – The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
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