pharmasites logo
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. By clicking 'I Understand and Accept', you consent to our use of cookies.
I understand and accept
No, I don't want to use cookies
My Account
Control Panel
An example toast message
Do Something
Login
en
en
Pharmasites logo.
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Free Upgrade
What You Get
Pricing
About Us
Contact Us
Book a Chat
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Do Something
Login
en
en
Pharmasites logo.
Menu
en
en
Change Language
Login
My Account
Control Panel
Free Upgrade
What You Get
Pricing
About Us
Contact Us
Book a Chat
Log Out
Login
Login
en
en
Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness is a common problem that many women have at some point in their lives. But there are things that can help.

Symptoms of vaginal dryness

You may have vaginal dryness if you:

  • feel sore or itchy in and around your vagina
  • feel pain or discomfort during sex
  • need to pee more often than usual
  • keep getting urinary tract infections (UTIs)

These things may make you feel less like you want to have sex.

Causes of vaginal dryness

You can get vaginal dryness if you:

  • go through the menopause
  • are breastfeeding
  • take contraceptive pills or antidepressants
  • have your womb removed (a hysterectomy)
  • have cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy

These things can cause a change in your hormone levels. This change can affect how much vaginal discharge or fluid you have.

You can also have vaginal dryness if you:

  • are not aroused during sex
  • use perfumed soaps, washes or douches in and around your vagina
  • have an underlying condition, such as diabetes or Sjögren's syndrome
How to treat vaginal dryness yourself

You can try these things before you see a GP. You can get most of them from a pharmacy without a prescription.

Do

  • use water-based lubricants before sex – put these in and around your vagina, on your partner's penis, on your partner's fingers, or on a sex toy if you're using one

  • use vaginal moisturisers for vaginal dryness – you can put these inside your vagina to keep it moist

  • use unperfumed soaps and washes around your vagina

  • try to enjoy more foreplay so you feel more aroused during sex

Don't

  • do not use perfumed soaps, washes and any douches in and around your vagina

  • do not put creams or lotions like petroleum jelly inside your vagina as it can cause an infection

  • do not use moisturisers that are not for your vagina

See a GP if:

  • you've had vaginal dryness for a few weeks and things you've tried yourself are not working
  • vaginal dryness is affecting your daily life
  • you have unusual discharge or bleeding from your vagina
  • you have bleeding after sex or in between your periods

If you're getting vaginal dryness because of changes in your hormone levels, you may be prescribed creams, gels, patches or medicines to increase a hormone called oestrogen. This is called HRT.

Last Reviewed
10 January 2022
NHS websiteNHS website
Pharmasites footer logo.
Store Hours Unavailable
No store selected for opening hours
Loading Open Hours...
With over a decade's experience working with UK pharmacies and supplying software that manages over 1,500 UK pharmacy websites, you're in safe hands with Pharmasites. Get in touch today!
Menu
Home
Free Upgrade
Pricing
Referrer Rewards
About Us
Contact Us
Book a Chat
Features
Easy Website Updates
Interactive Maps
Book NHS & Private Services
Pharmacy First
eCommerce
Built-in NHS A-Z
NHS App Integration
See more features
Pharmasites
11 Anderson Way, Lea, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 5EF
matt@pharmasites.co.uk
01904 349 316
No store selected for contacts
No contacts at this store
Pharmasites © 2024
Cookies Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions