Question:

Is there a drug-free relief for vaginal dryness?

Answer:

Because there are many causes of vaginal dryness, there are many potential treatments. Before self treating, you should be sure your vaginal dryness is not caused by an infection, foreign body, or tumor (a rare cause of vaginal dryness).

A very common cause of vaginal dryness is lack of the hormone estrogen. Soybeans contain plant-based substances called isoflavones that weakly mimic the action of estrogen. A diet rich in soy foods would therefor be expected to improve symptoms of vaginal dryness. Research studies on isoflavones are ongoing, but so far the ideal sources or dose is still unknown. Soy foods include tofu, soy milk, and whole soybeans (also called edamame).

Many women claim that creams containing wild yam relieve their symptoms of vaginal dryness. However, no well-designed research has evaluated these creams, and extracts of wild yam have not been found to have estrogen- or progesterone-like activities. Some of the products may have synthetic medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) added. MPA is a derivative of progesterone, and is also used in oral contraceptives. Like all supplements, MPA-containing products should be used with care.

Black Cohosh is an herb sold as a dietary supplement.Some studies show that it may be effective in relieving menopausal symptoms; however, few of these studies include the symptom of vaginal dryness.

Water-based lubricants or vaginal creams are effective in relieving vaginal dryness. Lubricants will moisten the vaginal lining for several hours while the effect of a vaginal cream can last for up to a day.

The vagina can become irritated and dry from soaps, lotions, perfumes or douches. Avoiding these may reduce vaginal dryness in some women.