What Causes Vaginal Dryness? Here's 17 Reasons Why You Can't Get Wet
Psychologist Ramani Durvasula, PhD, agrees: “A woman distracted or overburdened by other things in life—work, housework, money issues, etc.—will likely be distracted and not feel amorous.” Instead of trying to transition immediately into sex from whatever you were doing before, take time to set the mood and relax.
6. You’re not feeling body-confident.
“A woman feeling less than confident about her body or not wanting to be seen by her partner with her clothes off can also impact sexual response,” says Durvasula. If you suspect this is happening to you, do something that does make you feel good about your body: a gratitude-focused yoga class, a heart-pumping run, a postwork dance break. Also keep this in mind: Your partner is psyched to see you naked.
7. You’re approaching or going through perimenopause or menopause.
Every woman will go through menopause—that’s an estimated 1.3 million women in the US alone who enter menopause every year. It is officially diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period, which happens at age 51 on average, according to the Mayo Clinic. A downside: Your estrogen levels drop. That drop reduces the amount of moisture down there, as estrogen helps maintain fluid and keeps the lining of your vagina healthy, thick, and elastic. There are plenty of solutions—it's probably a good idea to keep some lube handy to get you through menopause dryness—but if you find that you're struggling with it regularly, it's time to talk to your doctor.
In addition, some people under 40 experience ovarian insufficiency (when the ovaries stop working properly), which has similar symptoms to menopause, according to sex educator Lilith Foxx.
8. You live with an autoimmune disorder.
If you've been diagnosed with a health condition that targets the immune system, it's worth exploring if it might be directly related to the vaginal dryness you're experiencing. “Autoimmune causes such as hypothyroidism, or Sjögren’s syndrome, where glandular cells are attacked, or even diseases such as diabetes can also lead to dryness,” says Monica Grover, DO, MS, head gynecologist at VSPOT Medi Spa.
9. You smoke tobacco.
The answer to “Why is my vagina dry?” could lie in whether or not you're a smoker. Dr. Grover says that cigarettes can cause vaginal dryness: “Cigarette smokers have a higher rate of premature menopause than nonsmokers, although the exact cause is unknown,” she says. A 2015 study from Korea, which found that smokers reached menopause earlier than those who didn't smoke, included an older hypothesis: Alkaloid compounds like nicotine in cigarettes prevent the production of estrogen.
10. You’re using the wrong lube.
While most people think of lube as a vaginal dryness treatment, the lubricant you're using to get wet could actually be having the reverse effect. According to Dr. Grover, “Oil based lubricants and vaginal douching alter the pH of the vaginal environment, and as a result lead to increased vaginal infections, thus leading to dryness.” If you've recently used a new oil based lubricant and found yourself drier than usual down there, try switching to a different type—like maybe a water-based lubricant—to see if that might be the cause.
Lelo Personal Moisturizer
Isabel Fay Water-Based Lubricant
11. You’ve just stopped ovulating.
“The days after ovulation, known as the luteal phase, can affect libido and increase dryness due to a down regulation of mucous production,” says Dr. Grover. This is where turning to lube (after testing your body's response to it) will come in handy as your body continues through its cycle.
12. You’re not really turned on.
Sometimes vaginal dryness during sex comes down to a simple but often overlooked fact, Dr. Grover says: You're just not that into it. “Psychological causes of a diminished sex drive can be simply due to lack of attraction to a partner,” she says. It could also be that you're not engaging in enough foreplay to become fully aroused. Make sure to ask for whatever you need to be in the mood during sexual intercourse.
13. You’re dehydrated.
One of the easiest vaginal dryness natural remedies to try? Drinking more water. “Water is not just a quencher of thirst, but it is also vital for the optimal functioning of our bodily systems, including the mechanisms responsible for maintaining vaginal lubrication,” says sex therapist Melissa Cook. Drinking water won't instantly cure vaginal dryness, but staying hydrated may help prevent it. This is especially crucial if you're not feeling well—vaginal changes when you're sick are common, so any sickness that dehydrates you will also affect your natural vaginal discharge.
14. You’ve been douching.
Douching can throw the vaginal microbiome—the bacteria living in the vagina—off balance, which can lead to a number of issues including bacterial vaginosis, vaginal dryness, and irritation, says Cook. “The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, perfectly equipped with its own ecosystem of bacteria,” she says. “I strongly advise against douching. Trust in the natural self-cleaning ability of the vagina; it's designed to take care of itself effectively.”
15. You’re experiencing an allergic reaction.
Knowing what you're allergic to could also be the answer to what causes vaginal dryness for you. Some people are allergic to latex, chemicals used in lube, or everyday things like soaps, lotions, laundry detergents, fragrances, or foods, according to Foxx, who adds, “These can irritate the vaginal tissue, causing inflammation and dryness.” If you suspect you're allergic to something, stop using it and see if that makes a difference.
16. You’re undergoing hormone therapy.
Transgender people who take testosterone as part of their transition process may experience a dip in estrogen, says Foxx. “Estrogen is in part responsible for maintaining vaginal microbiome balance and pH,” she says. ”As such, individuals undergoing hormone replacement therapy for testosterone can experience pH imbalances and increased mucosal inflammation, leading to vaginal dryness.” This may be treated with local estrogen for vaginal dryness.
17. You’ve undergone cancer treatment.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy and radiation can harm the cells in your vagina that produce lubrication, leading to dryness. “Add to that, the physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment certainly affects sex drive, self-esteem, and body image,” says Foxx. Talk to a doctor and a therapist for help dealing with the side effects and emotional impact of these treatments.
