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Why can’t I get wet?
Design by Channing Smith
is a more common question than you might realize.
And after menopause, that number jumps to more than 50%.
But what causes a lack of wetness?
There can be a number of reasons for vaginal drynessboth psychological and physiological, according to the experts.
So next time you think, Why am I dry down there all of a sudden?
look to some of these common vaginal dryness symptoms and causes.
If any sound familiar to you, talk to your doctor about how to best treat your vaginal dryness.
You have a yeast infection.
It varies from woman to woman but can make the symptoms worse.
(PS: Want to know whata healthy vagina looks like?
We’ll show you….)
We asked the experts to break down what’s normal.
Your medication is messing you up.
Certain medications that seemingly have nothing to do with your vagina can cause vaginal dryness, says Dr. Dardik.
The antihistamines you might take for allergies, for example, often have this pesky side effect.
Youre taking birth control.
Breastfeeding moms have low estrogen levels that mirror those of menopause, says Dr. Minkin.
Estrogen will lead to vaginal moisture and increased pelvic blood flow, she says.
The more blood flow to the pelvis, the better the moisture.
(Learn pregnancy changes your vaginahere.)
A woman needs to shift gearsthat is, allow her sexual space to open.
It’s easy to shut it down, particularly when the craziness of life comes into the bedroom.
Youre not feeling body-confident.
Also keep this in mind: Your partner is psyched to see you naked.
Youre approaching or going through perimenopause or menopause.
Every woman will go through menopausethats anestimated1.3 million women in the US alone who enter menopause every year.
A downside: Your estrogen levels drop.
You live with an autoimmune disorder.
The answer to Why is my vagina dry?
could lie in whether or not you’re a smoker.
Youre using the wrong lube.
Lelo Personal Moisturizer
Amazon
Isabel Fay Water-Based Lubricant
11.
Youve just stopped ovulating.
Youre not really turned on.
It could also be that you’re not engaging in enough foreplay to become fully aroused.
One of the easiest vaginal dryness natural remedies to try?
Drinking water won’t instantly cure vaginal dryness, but staying hydrated may help prevent it.
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.
Youre experiencing an allergic reaction.
Knowing what you’re allergic to could also be the answer to what causes vaginal dryness for you.
If you suspect you’re allergic to something, stop using it and see if that makes a difference.
Youre undergoing hormone therapy.
Estrogen is in part responsible for maintaining vaginal microbiome balance and pH, she says.
This may betreated with local estrogen for vaginal dryness.
Youve undergone cancer treatment.
Unfortunately, chemotherapy and radiation can harm the cells in your vagina that produce lubrication, leading to dryness.
