Vaginal dryness can happen at any age, for lots of different reasons, but it’s also the most common and frustrating symptom of menopause. It can bring irritation, discomfort, and painful sex that make you feel like something’s wrong with your body and put intimacy on pause. The truth is, you’re not alone 50% of women deal with dryness or vaginal atrophy during menopause. While that number isn’t comforting, what should be is that there are ways to help boost natural lubrication and bring the fun back into your sex life. Here’s how you can combat vaginal dryness so you can still have great sex after menopause.
Why do you get vaginal dryness during menopause?
Vaginal dryness can affect anyone, but it is far more prevalent during menopause. This is because of the fall in estrogen, which plays an important role in the menstrual cycle, usually keeping the lining of the vagina healthy and lubricated. But during perimenopause, those levels fall which can lead to less natural lubrication and thinning vaginal tissue. Vaginal dryness is no reflection of desire but rather your body's reaction to the fall in vaginal estrogen.
This can have a significant impact on a woman’s physical and emotional well-being, however. Symptoms of vaginal dryness include itchiness, irritation and painful sex, with a knock-on psychological effect such as loss of libido and sexual confidence in the bedroom. And if you are in the mood for a steamy bedroom session, the dryness can cause you to struggle to orgasm or take longer to reach your climactic ending.
As your bedroom needs change with age and your body takes longer to climax, adding new sensations can help you enjoy intimacy and increase your chances of orgasm. Trying out a vibrator for older women, which is designed to meet your needs, increase blood flow, and natural lubrication, could be one of the answers you’ve been looking for.
You may feel embarrassed about seeking help, but talking about menopause with your partner or a loved one can help ease your mind. If you are concerned about your symptoms, it is recommended that you consult your doctor about treatment, especially if you find it overwhelming. However, there are a few ways you can try to combat this at home.
8 ways to combat vaginal dryness
Dryness doesn’t have to mean the end of comfort or pleasure. Small changes in how you care for your body, the products you use, and the routines you build can make a big difference. Here are some options you can mix and match until you find what works best for you.
1. Try water-based lubricant
A good quality water-based lubricant can instantly transform intimacy by easing friction and enhancing sensation, especially when natural lubrication falls short. You’ll want something gentle, safe to use with condoms and toys, and easy to clean up. In fact, a randomized study found that certain water-based lubricants relieve vaginal dryness without disrupting the vaginal microbiome, offering both comfort and long-term safety, making it a smarter choice than scented or harsh products. Another study confirmed good quality lubricants are effective and well tolerated in easing vaginal dryness and sexual discomfort.
2. Keep up regular sexual activity
Whether it’s with a partner or solo play, regular sexual activity helps stimulate blood flow to the vagina, supporting natural lubrication and vaginal tissue health. It’s like giving your body a gentle, feel-good workout, and it doesn’t just stop at lubrication. Increased blood and the neurochemicals released during orgasm can lift mood, ease discomfort, and even strengthen pelvic muscles over time. One study found that women who engaged in regular sexual activity experienced less severe menopausal symptoms.
3. Use a vibrator to boost blood flow
A vibrator does more than deliver pleasure; it can help increase blood flow to the genital area, which enhances arousal and natural lubrication. This can be especially helpful in combating vaginal dryness, as better circulation encourages the body’s natural lubrication response. One study found that vibrators can play a significant role in enhancing genital blood flow and arousal, helping counteract estrogen-related tissue thinning link.
Even better than a regular vibrator? Ultra-flexible vibrators like Legato and Crescendo 2, which are designed by doctors to help with this exact intimacy issue. Both Legato and Crescendo 2 are vibrating devices supported by independent studies published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
With 6 motors and the unique ability to bend into different shapes, Crescendo 2 can arouse multiple erogenous zones at the same time, helping to increase arousal and lubrication - naturally. In an independent study, researchers found that participants using Crescendo 2 self-reported increases in arousal by 73% and natural lubrication by 93%.
Likewise, in another independent study, participants using Legato self-reported up to 3x improvements in natural lubrication and 2x increases in arousal, with no device-related adverse events observed.
Legato works differently from Crescendo 2 as it’s an adjustable vibrating ring that sits on the vulva and labia to distribute gentle vibrations across the entire vulva, increasing blood flow and arousal over a much larger surface area, promoting natural lubrication without penetration. However, it can be used during sex. With a generous gap in the middle, it’s wide enough for a partner to fit through while continuing to stimulate you.
4. Skip bubble baths and scented soaps
It might be tempting to relax with a fragrant bubble bath or use scented body washes, but these products can raise the pH of your intimate area, strip away natural moisture, and cause irritation. Instead, stick to plain, lukewarm water or mild, unscented cleansers. This simple swap is backed by studies that warn against perfumed products which frequently disrupt the delicate balance of vaginal flora and worsen dryness. Major health institutions also advise against soaps, scented products, or hot baths that can harm vaginal health.
5. Wear breathable clothing
Your clothing choices can either help or hinder vaginal comfort. Synthetic fabrics tend to trap heat and moisture, which can irritate delicate skin and aggravate dryness. Opting for breathable fabrics like cotton, especially for underwear and sleepwear, allows proper airflow, reduces irritation, and leaves your intimate area more comfortable throughout the day and night.
6. Use vaginal moisturizer regularly
Unlike lubricants, which you use during intimacy, vaginal moisturizers are designed for everyday hydration of vaginal tissue. They have been shown in studies to be effective at maintaining moisture, resilience, and comfort long term. Studies show that vaginal moisturizers, like Kindra’s V Hydration and Relief, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or zinc-containing gels significantly improve dryness, pH balance, and vaginal tissue integrity, often matching the efficacy of estrogen-based treatments without hormones.
7. Do your pelvic floor exercises
Working your pelvic floor muscles through daily exercises isn’t just great for bladder control, it can also improve arousal, lubrication, and sexual satisfaction. Studies show a clear connection between stronger pelvic floor muscles and better sexual function, including lubrication and orgasm. So do your Kegels - or if you want to take pelvic strength a step further, venture into the art of vaginal exercises like Pompoir.
8. Talk to your doctor about estrogen therapy
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, localized estrogen therapy can offer significant relief for vaginal dryness. Delivered via creams, rings, or suppositories, it targets and restores vaginal tissue, improves pH balance, and helps reduce discomfort. Low-dose vaginal estrogen is effective at restoring health to the vaginal lining, with minimal systemic exposure, and can be a safe, recommended option for many women.
Takeaway
Vaginal dryness may be common, but it doesn’t have to define your comfort or confidence. With a few simple changes, you can embrace intimacy on your own terms, especially with the support of doctor-designed devices like Crescendo 2 and Legato. These devices are designed to boost arousal and enhance natural lubrication, giving you both pleasure and peace of mind.
