Vaginal Dryness
Why It Happens, What To Do

Many women also experience changes in their vagina. With arousal, the vagina may tilt upwards and become longer. It may also become wet with a "sweating" of the vaginal walls. This is not female ejaculation which comes from the Skenes Glands and is similar to prostate fluid in a male. This lubrication of a woman's genitals is caused by the release of a special fluid from the "vaginal epithelium" (the walls of the vagina). This fluid is not like the sweat of your skin, but is what scientists call a "modified plasma transudate."

In general, the release of this fluid serves by making vaginal and vulva play more comfortable during sexual play. It also aids in the movement of sperm up the vaginal canal, increasing the likelihood of impregnation.

Many people take this "sweating" of the vagina as a reliable sign that a woman is sexually excited, or even that she is "ready" for vaginal play or intercourse. Beware of such assumptions! Women sometimes lubricate vaginally when they are not sexually aroused, and women often feel erotically aroused without becoming vaginally wet.

Excess lubrication, even though some women feel almost embarrassed by it, can easily be solved by use of an absorbent external panty-liner. Dryness is another common problem, and is easily addressed.

Some women simply do not lubricate so plentifully, or at least not plentifully enough to keep pace with their sexual wishes. While some women become dry when anxious or under stress. Many women become drier with the frequent use of tampons, other internal sanitary devices, or douches. And most women will become drier with the use of prescription medications that have anticholinergic or sympathomimetic effects which dry out the "mucosal" or wet tissues of the mouth and vagina. These include many common drugs for allergic, cardiovascular, psychiatric, and other medical conditions. You can always ask your physician before getting a prescription or pharmacist after getting one as the what effects, if any, will this medicine have on your sex life.

All women become drier as they approach and proceed through menopause. This is because menopause causes a thinning of the vaginal walls (from about nine epithelial layers to about three), with a consequent loss of their elasticity and their capacity to produce fluid.

The solution to all these difficulties is to use artificial lubricants for sexual play. Many brands are available in the "Feminine Hygiene" or "Family Planning" sections of your local drug stores including our own selection of lubricants. Be careful of using K-Y Plus types of lubricants that contain Nonoxynol and might irritate your vagina. Astroglide is a favorite. This is an all water-soluble lubricant with glycerin giving it slippery properties. Such lubricants are usually odorless, tasteless, and sterile. They may also be hypoallergenic.

When finding a "lube" that suits your erotic life, there are three rules:

One
Always use a water-soluble lube. Never put a petroleum-based lubricant, such as Vaseline, into your vagina. Petroleum-based jellies are likely to increase your vulnerability to infections, and they will corrode the latex used for condoms and other safer sex practices.

Two
Beware of confusions between moisturizers, anti-irritants, and drying powders. Vagisil, for example, markets all three under the same brand name. Anti-irritant creams (usually containing 5% to 20% benzocaine) numb the skin and are sometimes useful externally on the vulval tissue, but should never be applied inside the vagina. "Feminine powders" and talcs are sometimes used to absorb unwanted wetness of the vulval area, and should also never be applied inside the vagina. Moisturizers are lubes applied either directly inside the vagina, or delivered by a vaginal suppository (such as Lubrin and other brands).

Three
Remember that, unless the label of your lube states otherwise, it is not a spermicidal (contraceptive), anti-viral, anti-bacterial or estrogen-supplementing agent. If you want an estrogen supplement or cream, you should consult a clinical sexologist or a knowledgeable physician. If you want your lubricant to do double duty and provide protection against sexually transmitted infections, buy one that contains Nonoxynol. However, Nonoxynol can be irritating to the delicate tissue of the vagina, increasing the receptivity of the vaginal walls to infection; so if a Nonoxynol lube is going to come into direct contact with the vagina, a counter-irritant such as Avena Sativa should be used as well.

In addition to using artificial lubricants, keeping healthy the musculature of your pelvic floor will increase the blood supply to your vaginal canal and will help with dryness as well as giving you an increased sense of comfortable control over your genitals. Start doing "Kegel" exercises. Find the relevant group of muscles by stopping and starting the flow of your urine (while seated on the toilet). Then, with an empty bladder, squeeze these muscles tight and hold them for a count of three. Repeat this until they feel tired (initially you may only be able to squeeze these muscles a couple of times before they feel tired, later you should be able to gradually work up to twenty repetitions). Do "kegels" twice a day, every day if possible. Within a few weeks you will feel that they have improved your sexual life.

Sooner or later every sexually active woman who enjoys vaginal or vulval play will have a problem with dryness. Combat dryness by becoming accustomed to using your lube regularly and plentifully. Start young, before menopause is an issue. And don't be embarrassed with your partners because, when used properly, lubes will enhance sexual pleasure for you and for them. Lubricants make for a more relaxed erotic life whether your favorite form of vaginal play is with a finger, a sex toy, or a penis.

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