Dryness and painful sex — what every woman should know
Intimate dryness is not a question of mood, and it isn't something to put up with. It's a physical finding with specific causes — and it is almost always treatable.
What it feels like
Burning, stinging, a pulling sensation, sensitivity to underwear, small fissures at the vaginal entrance, pain during or after sex.
Many women describe it as "suddenly everything bothers me down there", with nothing visibly different.
The most common causes
Hormonal: menopause and perimenopause, postpartum and breastfeeding, low-oestrogen contraception, fertility treatment, some cancer treatments.
Non-hormonal: soaps and foaming cleansers, antihistamines and other medication, smoking, certain skin conditions, and pain itself — which causes muscle guarding, and so more pain.
Moisturising and lubricating are not the same thing
A moisturiser works over time: applied regularly, independent of sexual activity, restoring the barrier.
A lubricant works in the moment, reducing friction. Most problems resolve with both, not one or the other.
What to avoid
Lubricants high in glycerin, propylene glycol, fragrance or "warming" ingredients — all of them irritate or draw moisture out of tissue.
And the most common mistake: washing harder. Dryness is not a hygiene problem.
When it's a medical question
If pain persists, if there is bleeding, if you suspect a hormonal cause, or if it's affecting your relationship, ask for a gynaecological assessment.
Effective treatments exist, hormonal and not, and there is no reason to live with pain because the subject feels awkward to raise.
This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. For persistent or severe symptoms, please consult a doctor.
