Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options

“An effective and safe treatment, low-dose local estrogen
applied directly to the vagina relieves vaginal dryness
and discomfort with sexual activity”.1

Umbrella

What may the Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options Umbrella include?

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

  • Vaginal Estrogen/Oestrogen Products
  • Vaginal Inserts
  • Vaginal and Vulval Lubricants/Moisturizers
  • Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options

Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options

What are some menopause vaginal and vulval or Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) treatment options?

On page one and two in Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment Options, dated May 2025, the (United States) Menopause Society, (formerly the North American Menopause Society) elaborate on:

Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options“There are many effective treatment options for GSM, including over-the-counter and prescription therapies. Therapies for less severe symptoms include nonhormone over-the-counter lubricants used as needed for sexual activity and moisturizers used regularly (several times per week) to maintain moisture. Prescription therapies include low-dose vaginal estrogens, vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone inserts, and oral ospemifene. Nonhormone lubricants and moisturizers can be used in combination with prescription therapies for more severe symptoms.

  • Nonhormone Remedies
    • Vaginal Lubricants…
    • Vaginal Moisturizers…
    • Regular Sexual Stimulation…
    • Expanding Your Views of Sexual Pleasure…
    • Vaginal Dilators…
    • Pelvic Floor Exercises…
  • Vaginal Hormone Therapy…
    • An effective and safe treatment, low-dose local estrogen applied directly to the vulva and vagina relieves vulvar and vaginal discomfort, irritation, dryness, or pain with sexual activity…
    • FDA-approved low-dose vaginal estrogen products…
    • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; Prasterone)
    • Low-dose vaginal estrogen or DHEA may be options for…
  • Systemic Estrogen Therapy
  • Other Therapies…
    • Ospemifene
    • Vaginal Laser Therapy…”.2

Vaginal Moisturizers and Vaginal Lubricants

What vaginal moisturizers and vaginal lubricants are available?

In Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment, dated 20 December 2025, the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Vaginal moisturizers or lubricants
As a first step, you might try one of these products to ease symptoms:

  • Vaginal moisturizers. These products (K-Y Liquibeads, Replens, Sliquid, others) can help restore some moisture to your vagina. You may have to use the moisturizer every few days. Its effects tend to last a bit longer than those of a lubricant
  • Water- or silicone-based lubricants. You can use water-based (Astroglide, K-Y Jelly, Sliquid, others) or silicone-based lubricants (ID Millennium, Pink, Pjur, others) just before sex to ease pain and friction. Choose lubricants that don’t contain glycerin or warming ingredients such as capsaicin. Your vagina may get irritated if you’re sensitive to these. Stay away from petroleum jelly or other oil-based products for lubrication if you’re also using condoms. These can break down latex condoms on contact”.3

Vaginal Estrogen

What is vaginal estrogen?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use, dated February 2025, the Menopause Society explain:

Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options
“If you are bothered only by vaginal dryness, you can use very low doses of estrogen placed directly into the vagina. These low doses generally do not raise blood estrogen levels above postmenopause levels and do not treat hot flashes. You do not need to take a progestogen when using only low doses of estrogen in the vagina”.4

In Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

  • “Topical Estrogen
    • Vaginal Estrogen Cream (Estrace, Premarin)…
    • Vaginal Estrogen Suppositories (Imvexxy)…
    • Vaginal Estrogen Ring (Estring)…
    • Vaginal Estrogen Tablet (Vagifem, Yuvafem)…
  • Ospemifene (Osphena)…
  • Prasterone (Intrarosa)…
  • Systemic Estrogen Therapy…
  • Vaginal Dilators…
  • Topical Lidocaine…
  • If you’ve had breast cancer…”.5

Health Care Provider

What if I would like to make down there less bothersome?

If you would like to make down there less bothersome, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor the Mayo Clinic encourage us to:

“Make an appointment with your doctor or other healthcare professional if you have:

  • Light spotting or bleeding for no clear reason
  • Unusual fluid that comes out of the vagina
  • Burning or soreness.

Also make an appointment if you have painful sex that doesn’t get better after you use a vaginal moisturizer (K-Y Liquibeads, Replens, Sliquid, others), water-based lubricant (Astroglide, K-Y Jelly, Sliquid, others) or silicone-based lubricant (ID Millennium, Pink, Pjur, others)”.6

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

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

  1. Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information About Vulval Diseases
  3. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  4. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  5. Boxers, Briefs and Bacterial Vaginosis: How Your Underwear Can Affect Your Health
  6. Caredownthere.com.au
  7. Conjugated-Estrogens Vaginal Route
  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 Health Care Visit
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  12. Do Home Remedies Actually Work for Yeast Infections?
  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. Estradiol (Vaginal Route)
  19. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  20. FAQs: Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching
  21. FAQs: Vulvovaginal Health
  22. FAQs: When Sex Is Painful
  23. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  24. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 2/2)
  25. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  26. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  27. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  28. Gaslighting of Genitourinary Symptoms of the Menopause
  29. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  30. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  31. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
  32. HRT Questions Answered
  33. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  34. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Vaginal Oestrogen
  35. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  36. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms: Managing Bladder, Vaginal and Vulval Problems
  37. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
  38. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  39. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Painful Sex
  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 the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
  43. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  44. Is It Too Late To Start HRT?
  45. Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid
  46. Menopause
  47. Menopause
  48. Menopause Symptoms and Relief
  49. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  50. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  51. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
    Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options
  52. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Sage
  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]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  58. Prosayla Supported by ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  59. Q&A: Normalize Seeking Proper Bacterial Vaginosis Diagnosis, Treatment
  60. Sex and Sexual Health
  61. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  62. Treatments for Menopause
  63. Urogenital Problems
  64. Vagina
  65. Vaginal Atrophy
  66. Vaginal Atrophy
  67. Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment
  68. Vaginal Dryness
  69. Vaginal Dryness
  70. Vaginal Dryness
  71. Vaginal Dryness
  72. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? I’m postmenopausal and often have vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse painful. Is there anything I can do about it?
  73. Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
  74. Vaginal Laser Therapy
    Vaginal and Vulval Treatments
  75. Vaginal Oestrogen Is A Treatment on the Rise, But Is It Safe?
  76. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  77. Vulval Irritation and Treatment
  78. Vulva and Vagina
  79. Vulva and Vagina [Multiply Languages]
  80. Vulval and Vaginal Conditions
  81. Vulval and Vaginal Pain
  82. What Is the Difference Between Vagifem and Estring?
  83. What Types of Vaginal Oestrogens Are There?
  84. Which Vaginal Moisturiser Should You Use?
  85. Why You Do Not Ever Need To Douche
  86. Why You Get An Itch or Thrush on Vaginal Estrogen and What To Do About It
  87. Wild Yam
  88. World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2025]
    Vaginal and Vulval Treatment Options
  89. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
  90. 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. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment Options. 2025:1-2. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 12 May 2026
  2. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment Options. 2025:1-2. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/MenoNote-GSM.pdf Accessed: 12 May 2026
  3. Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 20 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352294 Accessed: 12 May 2026
  4. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use. 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 12 May 2026
  5. Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 20 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352294 Accessed: 12 May 2026
  6. Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 20 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 12 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 15 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 May 2026

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