Vaginal Dryness

Vaginal Dryness

“Vaginal dryness is a painful symptom that
affects a person’s quality of life. It can cause pain
during sitting, exercising, peeing and sexual intercourse”.1

Umbrella

What may the Vaginal Dryness Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Atrophic Vaginitis
  • Genital Atrophy
  • Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  • Urogenital Atrophy
  • Vaginal Atrophy
  • Vaginal Dryness
  • Vaginal Symptoms
  • Vulvovaginal Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal Dryness

What is vaginal dryness?

DotS the definition of vaginal dryness may vary. In Vaginal Dryness: Overview – What Is Vaginal Dryness? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“Vaginal dryness is a painful symptom that affects a person’s quality of life. It can cause pain during sitting, exercising, peeing and sexual intercourse. Normally, your vaginal lining is lubricated with fluid that helps keep it thick and elastic. Vaginal dryness happens when the tissues in your vagina are dry, thin and not well-moisturized. This leads to discomfort, especially during sex”.2

Vaginal Dryness and Menopause

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”.3

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

What is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)?

DotS the definition of GSM may vary. On page one in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, published May 2025, the (United States) Menopause Society’s (previously the North American Menopause Society) definition is:

“The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) includes bothersome vaginal, vulvar (lips of the vagina), and urinary symptoms that can affect quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and even your relationship with your partner”.4

On page one in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Menopause and Aging Can Affect the Genitourinary System In These Ways the Menopause Society also include:

  • “Loss of estrogen at menopause may cause the vaginal tissues to become thin and dry, with decreased elasticity and lubrication, often resulting in pain with sexual activity or routine pelvic examinations and even discomfort wiping after urination or wearing certain clothing
  • Symptoms such as burning, itching, or irritation of the vulva; lack of lubrication; vaginal dryness; and discomfort or pain with sexual activity are common
  • Burning on urination, increased frequency or urgency of urination, and increased risk for urinary tract infections also can occur
  • Symptoms may be more severe in women who undergo menopause because of the surgical removal of both ovaries (surgical menopause) or because of chemotherapy for cancer treatment and in those who receive aromatase inhibitors for prevention or treatment of breast cancers”.5

Cause

What usually causes vaginal dryness during menopause?

In Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? the author notes:

“With this condition, vaginal tissues become thinner and irritated more easily. This is the result of falling levels of estrogen during menopause”.6

Common or Not

How common is GSM?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Bladder, Vaginal and Vulval Problems the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health note:

“Around 1 in 2 women are affected by ‘genitourinary syndrome of menopause’ (GSM). GSM affects the bladder, vagina and vulva”.7

Go Away or Not

Does vaginal dryness improve with time?

The Menopause Society note:

“Unlike hot flashes, which typically improve with time, GSM usually worsens over time without treatment”.8

Treatment

What are some treatments for vaginal dryness?

In Vaginal Dryness: Treatment the MedlinePlus elaborate on:

“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”.9

On page one and two in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Nonhormone Therapies the Menopause Society elaborate on:

Vaginal Dryness

  • “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 DHE…
  • Systemic Estrogen Therapy
  • Other Therapies…
    • Ospemifene
    • Vaginal Laser Therapy…”.10

Vaginal Lubricants and Vaginal Moisturizers

What are some examples of vaginal lubricants and vaginal moisturizers?

 In Vaginal Dryness: Care and Treatment – How Is This Symptom Treated? Lubricants and Moisturizers for Vaginal Dryness the Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Many treatments can help vaginal dryness and the painful sex associated with it. If you just have vaginal dryness, you may want to first try over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizers and lubricants:

  • Vaginal moisturizers: Apply moisturizers to the inside of your vagina every few days to keep your vaginal lining healthy. Some examples include Replens™, Luvena® and KY® Liquibeads
  • Vaginal lubricants: Apply lubricants just before sex. Healthcare providers mainly recommend water-based vaginal lubricants. But there are also silicone-based products”.11

Vaginal Estrogen

Can estrogen be placed directly into the vagina?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Effectiveness: Local Treatment of Urogenital Atrophy published online 30 October 2023, the authors note:

“Urogenital symptoms due to estrogen insufficiency are under-recognized and under-treated. These symptoms can be effectively treated with an array of local therapies including intravaginal estrogen preparations or DHEA (prasterone) and intravaginal moisturizers. Concurrent progestogen therapy is not required. Many women require local therapy, in addition to systemic MHT, to relieve urogenital symptoms. It is important patients understand that treatment needs to be ongoing and is not simply a short course of therapy”.12

Compounded Vaginal Estrogen and Testosterone

Are compounded vaginal estrogen and testosterone recommended for treatment of GSM?

On page two in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause the Menopause Society includes:

“Compounded vaginal estrogen and testosterone are not government regulated or recommended for treatment of GSM in most cases”.13 

Regular Sexual Activity

Can regular sexual activity help?

In Vaginal Dryness: Care and Treatment – Can This Symptom Be Prevented? the Cleveland Clinic include:

  • “Having regular sexual stimulation to encourage your vaginal tissues to become moist”.14

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have vaginal dryness?

If you think you have vaginal dryness, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The Mayo Clinic explain:

“Vaginal dryness affects many people with vaginas. Many of them don’t bring up the topic with their healthcare professionals.

If vaginal dryness affects your sex life and relationship with your partner, make an appointment with your healthcare professional. Living with vaginal dryness doesn’t have to be part of getting older”.15

The MedlinePlus explain:

“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”.16

The Menopause Society note:

“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”.17 

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to the Vaginal Dryness?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginal Dryness?

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Links

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New or Updated

  1. A Man’s Guide To Menopause
  2. Anatomy of the Vagina
  3. Askearlymenopause.
  4. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  5. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  6. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  7. Caredownthere.com.au
  8. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  9. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  11. DHEA
  12. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  13. “Doctor, is it normal?” [Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
  14. Douching
  15. Dyspareunia – Vaginal Atrophy and Beyond [Webinar] [ Sign In To Confirm Your Age]
  16. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
  17. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Unmet Needs, Treatment Gaps, and Opportunities for Better Care
  18. Essential Information: See Your Doctor If
  19. Estradiol (Vaginal Route)
  20. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  21. FAQs: Vulvovaginal Health
  22. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  23. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 2/2)
  24. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  25. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  26. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  27. Gaslighting of Genitourinary Symptoms of the Menopause
  28. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  29. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
  30. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline (2025)
  31. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen
  32. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – About Vaginal Oestrogen
  33. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – Common Questions About Vaginal Oestrogen
  34. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – How and When To Use Vaginal Oestrogen
  35. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – Side Effects of Vaginal Estrogen
  36. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – Using Vaginal Oestrogen With Other Medicines and Herbal Supplements
  37. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen – Who Can and Cannot Use Vaginal Oestrogen
  38. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  39. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Bladder, Vaginal and Vulval Problems
  40. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
  41. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  42. International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
  43. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
  44. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  45. 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
  46. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  47. Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid
  48. Mayo Clinic Minute: Reducing the Risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  49. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  50. Menopause
  51. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  52. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
    Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  55. National Women’s Health Week [10 – 16 May 2026]
    Vaginal Dryness
  56. Non-Hormonal Treatments Offer Relief for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  57. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – It Is Not Just Incontinence – Common Bladder Problems Around Menopause
  58. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  59. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  60. Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
  61. Perimenopause
  62. Perimenopause
  63. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  64. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  65. Prosayla Supported By ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  66. Sex and Sexual Health
  67. Sheplusfoundation.com [She+ Foundation [formerly The Patty Brisben Foundation of Women’s Sexual Health]]
  68. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  69. Talk About Painful Sex
  70. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  71. The Vulva & Vagina Explained: Sex Ed #2
  72. Treatments for Menopause
  73. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  74. Urogenital Problems
  75. Vagina
  76. Vaginal Atrophy
  77. Vaginal Atrophy
  78. Vaginal Dryness
  79. Vaginal Dryness
  80. Vaginal Dryness
  81. Vaginal Dryness
  82. Vaginal Dryness
  83. 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?
  84. Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
  85. Vaginal Laser Therapy
    Vaginal Dryness
  86. Vaginal Oestrogen Is A Treatment on the Rise, But Is It Safe?
  87. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  88. Vulval Irritation and Treatment
  89. Vulva and Vagina
  90. Vulva and Vagina [Multiply Languages]
  91. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
  92. Vulval and Vaginal Pain
  93. What Is the Difference Between Vagifem and Estring?
  94. What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There?
  95. Which Vaginal Moisturiser Should You Use?
  96. Why You Do Not Ever Need To Douche
  97. Why You Get An Itch or Thrush on Vaginal Estrogen and What To Do About It
  98. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
  99. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Don’t Suffer In Silence

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Vaginal Dryness: Overview – What Is Vaginal Dryness? Last Reviewed: 03 February 2026. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21027-vaginal-dryness Accessed: 10 May 2026
  2. Vaginal Dryness: Overview – What Is Vaginal Dryness? Last Reviewed: 03 February 2026. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21027-vaginal-dryness Accessed: 10 May 2026
  3. Laughlin-Tommaso, S. K. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? 14 May 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/vaginal-dryness-after-menopause/expert-answers/faq-20115086 Accessed: 10 May 2026
  4. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. May 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
  5. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Menopause and Aging Can Affect the Genitourinary System In These Ways. May 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
  6. Laughlin-Tommaso, S. K. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? 14 May 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/vaginal-dryness-after-menopause/expert-answers/faq-20115086 Accessed: 10 May 2026
  7. Menopause Symptoms: Menopausal Symptoms – Bladder, Vaginal and Vulval Problems. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 10 May 2026
  8. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. May 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
  9. Vaginal Dryness: Treatment. Review Date:03 July 2025. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000892.htm Accessed: 10 May 2026
  10. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: NonhormoneRemedies. May 2025:1-2. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
  11. Vaginal Dryness: Care and Treatment – How Is Vaginal Dryness Treated? Lubricants and Moisturizers for Vaginal Dryness. Last Reviewed: 26 July 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21027-vaginal-dryness Accessed: 10 May 2026
  12. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Effectiveness: Local Treatment of Urogenital Atrophy. First Published Online 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 10 May 2026
  13. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. May 2025:2. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
  14. Vaginal Dryness: Care and Treatment – Can This Symptoms Be Prevented? Last Reviewed: 26 July 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21027-vaginal-dryness Accessed: 10 May 2026
  15. Vaginal Dryness: Basics – When To See A Doctor. 21 February 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-dryness/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20151520 Accessed: 10 May 2026
  16. Vaginal Dryness: When To Contact A Medical Professional. Review Date: 03 July 2025. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000892.htm Accessed: 10 May 2026
  17. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. May 2025:2. The Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 10 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 10 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 May 2026

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