How to combat vaginal dryness
Ever experience vaginal dryness, itchiness or discomfort? You're in good company.
According to WebMD, most people will experience dryness in their intimate area throughout their life. Due to several hormonal and non-hormonal factors, people with vulvas are more likely to encounter dehydration down there. In fact, most people with vulvas report experiencing vaginal dryness at some point in their lives, regardless of their age.
Understanding how common — and pesky — dryness in the intimate area can be, Bloomi introduced Nourish, a clean, oil-based intimate skin moisturizer that gently hydrates sensitive areas. Ahead, we’re sharing all of the ways this dynamic intimate skin moisturizer can alleviate dryness and discomfort.
What causes vaginal dryness?
Thanks to our good friend estrogen, there is a thin lining on the vulva that keeps this sensitive area lubricated, thick and elastic. But sometimes, this delicate layer around the groin, vulva and inside the vagina thins out, making it vulnerable to various conditions that can cause irritation.
Oftentimes, the reason this layer thins and dries is related to a drop in estrogen. Estrogen levels can decrease for many common reasons: menopause, the surgical removal of the ovaries (which can prompt early menopause), childbirth, breastfeeding, anti-estrogen drugs, like antidepressants or oral contraceptives, as well as medical treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation.
But there are other day-to-day factors that cause vaginal dryness that are unrelated to estrogen changes. In fact, many of the activities we do throughout the day or products we put on or in our intimate area can tear this lining and trigger dryness. This includes:
Removing pubic hair, through shaving and/or waxing
Taking antihistamines, which alleviates common cold and allergy symptoms by drying secretions, including the vagina
Experiencing stress and anxiety, which can affect libido and vaginal lubrication
Using intimate products like pads, tampons, condoms, lubricants, and/or ointments that are made with vaginal irritants
Wearing new undergarments, especially if they aren't made of cotton
Wearing tight clothing
Sweating due to exercise, sports or sex
Wiping intimate areas with rough toilet paper that can create friction
Enjoying a day in a chlorine pool or water park.
What are the symptoms of vaginal dryness?
While vaginal dryness typically isn't cause for major concern, this dehydration can prompt discomfort and pain if left untreated. Symptoms can range from vaginal itching, burning and irritation, pain during penetrative and oral sex, discomfort during physical activity and higher risk of vaginal infections and urinary tract infections.
How can you treat vaginal dryness?
Oftentimes, vaginal dryness can be treated with intimate skin moisturizers that provide gentle hydration to restore the lubrication and elasticity of our intimate skin. But not all intimate skin moisturizers are made the same. In fact, some products aimed at soothing intimate skin contain fragrances and vulvar allergens that may actually irritate the area further.
Like the rest of the Bloomi Essentials, Nourish is formulated with clean ingredients from our Yes List, which means it’s free from parabens, phthalates, glycerin, dyes, synthetic fragrances and ingredients that disrupt intimate skin.
Instead, Nourish’s organic, plant-based formula helps soothe and moisturize the skin while also preventing potential infection(s). Organic coconut oil and sesame oil, a natural anti-inflammatory, nourish the skin to alleviate dryness. Meanwhile, organic neem oil, an antibacterial, prevents yeast infections and is rich in fatty acids that soothe the area, which is ideal after pubic hair removal. Finally, organic castor oil softens pubic hair and promotes healthy hair growth.
Together, these ingredients work to promote overall intimate skin hydration, comfort and health.
Vaginal dryness, in plain English
While vaginal dryness is common, and typically isn't cause for concern or medical attention, it can be a major source of discomfort and pain. If you feel itchy (not from an infection) down there, introduce a clean intimate moisturizer like Nourish into your intimate care routine to delicately hydrate your most sensitive areas.