9 natural ways to combat vaginal dryness and increase lubrication

Vaginal dryness is something that can happen to anyone, so what can be done to deal with it for a healthy sex life?

Natural vaginal lubrication is largely driven by the hormone estrogen and plays an important role in sexual intercourse and vaginal health. When estrogen levels are low, it can cause vaginal tissues to become thin, fragile, and dry, making sex painful.

You can use a store-bought lubricant to help with vaginal dryness, however, some lubricants can actually pull natural moisture and worsen dryness. So it's important to look for lubricants that promote vaginal hydration.

Vaginal dryness is most common in middle-aged women

What causes vaginal dryness?

People of all ages can experience vaginal dryness, but it's more common in people who have gone through menopause . Other causes of vaginal dryness include:

• Fluctuations in hormones due to the menstrual cycle, childbirth and breastfeeding.
• Chemotherapy.
• Acne medication.
• Hormonal contraceptives.
• Certain autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's Syndrome.
• Unbalanced diet.

If you are experiencing vaginal dryness , it needs to be treated as soon as possible. Seek medical help if dryness is persistent or painful.

How to combat vaginal dryness and increase libido

Take vitamin A

This vitamin is important in the development of mucous membranes, including the lining of the vagina. Vitamin A can be taken orally, but should not be taken in excess. If the dosage of vitamin A becomes too high, it can cause liver damage, but honestly it is very difficult to overdose.

Vitamin B Supplement

Vaginal discharge can be altered by both hormonal and dietary factors. Proper immune function is important when it comes to vaginal health and vitamin B complex - a supplement that includes all 8 B vitamins to help boost immune function.

It can be taken as a supplement or absorbed through food sources including poultry, fish, potatoes and bananas. But consuming too much can be dangerous, leading to lack of muscle control, stomach problems and painful lesions.

Banana is a famous food rich in vitamin B

Increase the amount of beta-carotene

Beta-carotene is a provitamin, which means your body uses it to make another vitamin, in this case vitamin A. As noted above, vitamin A helps fight vaginal dryness.

Beta-carotene is found in foods including carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe, and winter squash. While it's not toxic in high doses, too much can cause the skin to turn yellow-orange among other side effects.

Eat more omega-3 fatty acids

Essential fatty acids will help improve the structure of the vaginal mucosa. A 2012 study found that omega-3s significantly reduced vaginal dryness for 6 months in breast cancer survivors , postmenopausal women, and vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis), which is a common phenomenon. thinning, dryness and inflammation of the vaginal wall.

Incorporate vitamin E into your diet

This is another vitamin that can help promote vaginal lubrication. A small 2016 study of 52 postmenopausal women showed improvement in the majority of subjects with symptoms of vaginal atrophy, including dryness. Vitamin E can also be obtained from a variety of foods, including vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

When naturally obtained through food, vitamin E poses no risks. But in supplement form, high doses of vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding by interfering with the blood's ability to clot. This can lead to a hemorrhagic stroke or bleeding in the brain, although this is rare.

Try Vaginal DHEA Treatments

Your body produces the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which in turn helps produce other hormones including estrogen. DHEA levels peak in adulthood and decline with age. For vaginal dryness, your doctor may prescribe a synthetic version of DHEA as an oral pill or cream.

A 2016 12-week study found that vaginal discharge improved in participants from 86% to 121% compared with a placebo effect. However, DHEA treatments may have some risks, including an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer . At the same time, DHEA treatments should be avoided in people with high cholesterol.

Learn: Vaginal structure

Consider estrogen treatments

Your doctor may consider giving you some estrogen treatment

There are two types of estrogen treatments for vaginal dryness:

Systemic hormone therapy: This therapy comes as an oral tablet, patch, ring, gel, cream, or spray and is absorbed throughout the body. Women with a history of blood clotting problems or breast cancer should avoid using it.

Low-dose vaginal estrogen products: This treatment option comes in cream, tablet, or ring form and has the added advantage of reducing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers because there is less risk of too much estrogen being absorbed. into the blood.

Apply hyaluronic acid topically

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that exists naturally in your skin and is key to moisturizing. However, you can also take hyaluronic acid in the form of a topical gel, which studies have found can help reduce vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women.

Relieve stress

One of the most important factors in balancing your hormones is reducing stress levels. Research is still limited, but stress, anxiety, and depression are thought to make vaginal dryness worse.

To combat this, experts recommend doing three big things: Exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep. Research shows that exercise plays an important role in happiness and emotional resilience. Studies have also found that sleep not only reduces stress by energizing and revitalizing the body, but it also leads to more life satisfaction.

And while a particular diet can be an important stress management tool, there are also the previously mentioned vitamin-rich foods that can significantly reduce dry skin, including: vegetables, nuts, seeds and healthy fats.

Vaginal lubrication is an important aspect of overall health and sexual satisfaction. People who have problems with it may have an estrogen deficiency, which can be treated with vitamins, supplements, hormone treatments, and creams. Hopefully with 9 natural methods to combat vaginal dryness and increase lubrication through the above article will bring you useful information.

At the same time, people who have problems with vaginal lubrication should see a doctor as soon as possible. And you should remember to always consult a medical professional before taking supplements or medications.