Vaginal Dryness - It's Not Just a Problem in the Bedroom

We all know vaginal dryness can be a vibe killer during sex, but it’s also a big bummer when it interferes with every moment of your day and night. Learn about what it is, why it happens, who it happens to and what can be done about it (spoiler: you can use Beloved as a daily moisturizer and an intimacy lube).

What Is It?

Normally, the walls of the vagina are lubricated with a thin layer of clear fluid. The hormone estrogen helps maintain that fluid and keeps the lining of your vagina healthy, thick, and elastic. But a drop in estrogen levels reduces the amount of moisture available and the vagina becomes dry.

31% of all women will experience vaginal dryness (source: National Library of Medicine). Some sources say it's even more than that.

What all of us women can agree upon is that it's unbelievably uncomfortable and can be painful not only during sex but at any time of the day or night. It makes it hard to sit, stand and walk because of the soreness. It hurts.

Who Experiences It?

Dryness happens to women of all ages.

Perimenopausal and menopausal women experience it at higher rates, however. During menopause, women's bodies produce less estrogen which means there's less moisture produced.

Other causes of dryness include childbirth, breastfeeding, taking certain medications such as birth control pills, antidepressants, allergy and cold meds, cancer treatment and removal of the ovaries.

Feeling Ashamed

We can feel ashamed when we’re unable to produce our own moisture. It's a very strong indicator that we’re getting older (and nobody wants that reminder). It's also one of the least talked about menopause symptoms. Sleeplessness and hot flashes can be incredibly disruptive, but they are nowhere near as intimate an issue. 

The shame is akin to how men can feel about erectile dysfunction. These changes to our bodies can be difficult to accept. Bundle in the physical pain and discomfort and it’s a recipe for a loss of self-confidence and sexual confidence.

What To Do

First, talk with your doctor to make sure it's actually vaginal dryness and not another condition like a urinary tract or vaginal infection.

Next, with your doctor, determine if estrogen replacement is for you. You can replace some of the hormone your body is no longer making to relieve the symptoms. This can be a soft, flexible ring in your vagina, tablets, creams or patches. It's important to know that any estrogen product can have side effects such as vaginal bleeding and breast pain. It's also not recommended for some women.

Be careful when using soap, bubble bath and lotion around the vaginal area as they can worsen dryness.

For instant and ongoing relief, use a pump or two of Beloved as a daily vaginal moisturizer. Keep a bottle in your bathroom so it's easy and available (bonus: nobody will know what it is because the bottle is perfectly discreet).

Apply it directly to your external vaginal area as a serum for your most sensitive skin. Explore the number of applications per day to feel what works best for your body. Use it daily as prevention so that you don't even have to experience the symptoms of dryness.

Beloved's gentle and nourishing ingredients support skin-moisture barrier healing. It's made from organic aloe and other natural ingredients that are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, pH balanced and vegan. Beloved is safe and cleared by the FDA as a Class II Medical Device. Made in the USA.

Plus, this is the best part, it feels just like your natural moisture. It's an impeccable replacement.

Beloved is the only dual-use lubrication and personal moisturizer on the market.

Word of warning: not all lubes are good vaginal moisturizers!

Silicone-based lubes add no moisture to the skin. They don’t improve dryness at all. The silicon simply sits on top of the skin. Plus they can be irritating to the delicate vaginal environment.

Oil-based lubes can create a build-up of bacteria which will cause an infection in your vagina. Not what you want on top of a dry vagina.

Be careful with water-based lubes because many are not cleared by the FDA and include irritating ingredients such as artificial flavors, colors, chemicals and preservatives.

Click here for more details on the different types of lubrication and how to choose the best one for you.