Mention vaginal dryness and some people might tell you it’s just something menopausal women have to deal with.
But they’re very wrong; we’re here to tell you that vaginal dryness is completely normal! In fact, 73% of women have experienced discomfort during sex. So why aren’t we talking about it? And why does it happen?
Vaginal dryness can happen to anyone and the good news is that it is something that can be easily be managed to help you have good sex at any time. If you’re looking for products to help with vaginal dryness, the Durex Naturals range is designed with you in mind to help on those drier days. Our Naturals range includes the Naturals Condom which is coated in a 98% natural origin ingredient water-based lube, perfect to help keep sex smooth, safe, and comfortable.
Want to know more about what causes vaginal dryness? Or how can products such as the Durex Naturals range can help manage those natural dry spells? We discuss all in our vaginal dryness guide.
What causes vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness can stem from several causes. It’s important to remember though that dryness downstairs is perfectly normal. Here are some of the main causes of vaginal dryness:
-Hormones
-Lifestyle
-Anxiety and stress
-Medication
Vaginal dryness and hormones:
Your hormones are one of the most common reasons for vaginal dryness. As if taking you on a delightful emotional roller-coaster every month wasn’t bad enough, for about two thirds of the month levels of oestrogen in your body drop, which can have a direct effect on your natural lubrication levels, leaving you feeling drier than usual.
Changes in hormones also explain why some women experience dryness around other major events in their life like pregnancy, post childbirth, breastfeeding and during menopause.
Lifestyle and vaginal dryness:
If you’re regularly feeling a bit dry down there, you might want to think about making a few tweaks to your daily routine.
Chemicals in soaps, dyes, perfumes, and laundry products can irritate your vagina’s delicate pH balance, which can affect lubrication. Plain, unperfumed soaps should be used to wash the area around the vagina (the vulva) gently every day.
It’s also worth thinking about having a simple water-based lube to hand when things do get steamy. This can help protect and soothe discomfort.
Anxiety, stress, and vaginal dryness:
It won’t come as a surprise, but stress and sex aren’t a great combo. Let’s face it, it’s hard to get turned on, when you’re stressed out. If you’re feeling anxious, upset, or depressed it can also affect your body’s ability to self-lubricate.
Try to set time aside to properly unwind before you have sex. A relaxing massage with a warming gel is a great way to de-stress and reconnect with your partner. So, take off those clothes, take your time and take off the pressure.
Vaginal dryness caused by medication:
Quite a few common medications list vaginal dryness as a possible side effect, including some antidepressants and the contraceptive pill. This is because they can alter (you guessed it) your hormone levels, which in turn can affect your body’s ability to self-lubricate.
A lubricated condom is a great option to help you and your partner glide through any dry spells you might encounter.
Lubricated products for vaginal dryness
If you do tend to get a little dry during certain times of the month or at certain points during your period. The use of lube can be a quick and simple way to counteract any dryness you may be experiencing and can also improve sex in general.
