Vaginal moisturizers are non-hormonal treatments designed to replenish vaginal tissues with moisture, mimic natural vaginal secretions and relieve dryness caused by hormonal fluctuations or medications. They can help treat symptoms related to hormonal shifts as well as medications.
These products can be found over-the-counter as cream, gel or suppository forms and should be applied before bedtime with an applicator.
How to Use
Vaginal moisturizers come in the form of creams or gels that you apply with your fingers to the interior of your vulva, or special applicators to insert directly.
Moisturizing products can make intercourse more pleasurable, relieving burning and itching sensations for many buyers of such products.
Some vaginal moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid, an organic substance produced naturally by your body that helps retain water and keep tissues soft and supple. Revaree is one such product which comes with its own sealed applicator to provide regular hydration and lubrication of the vulva for maximum benefits.
Before beginning to use a vaginal moisturizer, always consult with a healthcare provider first. They may suggest natural oils, often included in vaginal moisturizers and useful in relieving symptoms like dryness. They could also prescribe other forms of treatment like hormonal therapy or medications if necessary.
Ingredients
Women browsing the feminine products aisle or browsing online stores for sexual health can find themselves overwhelmed by an abundance of products with competing marketing claims. A lubricant may promise greater intimacy while moisturizers may claim they provide relief for tightness or dryness in vaginal tissue.
Vaginal moisturizers typically contain hyaluronic acid, an over-the-counter ingredient often used to prevent wrinkles by binding moisture to skin and connective tissue. These moisturisers are designed to relieve dryness in vaginal area; apply several times each week on VUL-ver (vulva).
Astroglide, K-Y Jelly or Sliquid are water-based lubricants that can help with friction during sexual intercourse and should be applied prior to sexual activity. Be wary of products containing glycerin or warming properties as these ingredients can irritate sensitive skin; also select one compatible with latex condoms as petroleum jelly may dissolve them on contact.
Side Effects
Moisturizers are safe and do not contain hormones that will negatively impact fertility or increase libido, but application on sensitive areas could irritate sensitive skin, so for optimum results choose unscented or fragrance free moisturizers.
Vaginal moisturizers come in the form of creams or gels, or suppositories – pills or capsules you insert directly into the vagina. Most long-acting over-the-counter moisturizers contain hyaluronic acid found in skin and eyes which binds water, helping keep tissues hydrated. Some products also contain weak acids to lower pH in order to restore healthy bacteria balance in the vagina.
Moisturizers can only be effective if used on a consistent basis over a long period of time to counteract dryness. As cells replenish themselves and new ones emerge, eventually the moisturizer may run out; so many women find it helpful to use both vaginal lubricants and moisturizers simultaneously for best results.
Dosage
Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants offer relief from vaginal atrophy (the dryness that often arises during perimenopause and menopause) by moisturizing and lubricating your vaginal tissue, providing essential lubrication without hormone-based products that could worsen symptoms of intercourse pain.
These products may come in the form of gel or small tablets/capsules you apply using a disposable applicator, either alone or together with long-acting lubricants and antifungals to combat yeast infections associated with dryness.
Most of these products are intended for daily use and should be applied consistently over weeks to see results. As they don’t address the source of dryness – such as tissue changes – estrogen therapy or other FDA-approved treatments may need to be combined as well.
Some lubricants can interfere with sperm function, so those trying to become pregnant should select an iso-osmotic system lubricant which releases moisture as needed rather than continuously; you can choose how much lubrication you apply this way.
