LOVE WELL • COMFORT

Vaginal dryness is common.
You don’t have to quietly put up with it.

Vaginal dryness is common around menopause and can affect comfort and sex. Learn about moisturizers, lubricants, related urinary symptoms and when to seek care.

Why it happens

ACOG explains that lower estrogen around menopause can reduce vaginal lubrication, elasticity and tissue thickness. Dryness may cause irritation, burning or pain with sex, and some people also experience urinary symptoms or recurrent urinary tract infections as part of genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Moisturizer and lubricant do different jobs

Vaginal moisturizers are used regularly to add moisture, while lubricants reduce friction during sexual activity. ACOG notes that both water- and silicone-based lubricants can be options and advises avoiding oil-based lubricants with condoms because oil can damage latex and may irritate tissue.

If it is not improving

Persistent or significant symptoms deserve medical attention. Hormonal and other prescription options may be appropriate for some people, but treatment decisions should be individualized.

The future Lately Well Edit

When affiliate partnerships are active, this page may include clearly disclosed recommendations for appropriate non-prescription moisturizers and personal lubricants. We will not position consumer products as substitutes for evaluation when symptoms need care.

Educational information only; not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Product recommendations, when introduced, will be clearly disclosed.