Vaginal moisturizers help rehydrate dry mucosal tissue and absorb quickly into the skin, adhering to vaginal linings to mimic natural vaginal secretions and restore their hydration levels.
Vaginally lubricating products (K-Y jelly, Astroglide and others) can help ease friction during sexual activity and decrease discomfort. Available as bottles with either reusable or single-use applicators that can be easily inserted, or prefilled capsules for quick, mess-free application.
Moisturizers
Vaginal moisturizers add essential hydration to the vagina and vulva. Absorbing into tissues quickly, these lotions can be used day or night without interruption for maximum hydration benefits. It should be noted that these are different from lubricants which may be applied as needed before or during sexual activity to reduce friction.
Women suffering from vaginal dryness often seek solutions to ease discomfort during intimacy, such as solutions that will alleviate their pain and discomfort during intimate encounters. Furthermore, these women may also be experiencing decreased libido or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Luckily there are over-the-counter options to address both symptoms. Just walk down any feminine products aisle or open up sexual health tab online when shopping and you’ll discover an overwhelming selection of product choices; many lubricants and moisturizers contain hormones, fragrance or parabens whereas the best ones do not.
Lubricants
As soon as you visit a drugstore or browse sexual health products online, there will be an overwhelming variety of vaginal lubricants and moisturizers for sale. While both options can help ease vulvar and internal genital dryness, each works in its own way and serves different functions.
Lubricants provide immediate, short-term relief of dryness pain while moisturizers rehydrate dry vaginal tissues and should be used over longer periods.
Natural oil balms are an increasingly popular way to moisturize the vulva and internal genitals, and there are many products on the market without harmful chemicals or artificial ingredients. Some can even be bought as suppositories which you insert directly into the vagina using an applicator similar to tampon size; these offer another great alternative for women who prefer not touching their vagina.
Vaginal Creams & Gels
Many vaginal moisturizers come in the form of gels or creams that you apply using an applicator (in the shape of a tampon). As these are hormone-free options, there won’t be any unwanted side effects like estrogen can.
These creams contain hyaluronic acid, an ingredient commonly seen in skin products for hydration. Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into vaginal tissues while mimicking natural vaginal secretions to decrease inflammation and provide comfort.
Vaginal moisturizers that act as lubricants make sex more comfortable and can relieve pain or itching during intercourse, while simultaneously helping reduce friction during high-friction activities. Some people even use these creams daily as preventative treatment without the need for a prescription – something many other medications cannot provide.
Vaginal Supositories
Many women rely on vaginal suppositories containing the antibiotic clotrimazole to treat yeast infections. While symptoms may clear sooner than planned, full course treatment must still be administered even if symptoms subside before this point.
Hyaluronic acid-based suppositories like Revaree are designed to maintain vaginal health by binding water and keeping tissues lubricated, making use simple while relieving pain during intercourse.
Contraceptive suppositories containing levonorgestrel can help prevent pregnancy by blocking access to the cervix and making it impossible for sperm to enter your womb. You should use them daily or every other day and allow time for them to dissolve; insert at least 10 minutes prior to sexual activity.
Natural Oils
Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants are effective treatment options for dryness due to menopause, childbirth, cancer treatments or medications. Moisturizers help rehydrate tissues while lubricants reduce friction between the vulva and external partner.
Nonhormonal treatments are easy and safe ways to prepare for sexual activity or reduce discomfort during intercourse. They may be taken prior to sexual activity as a preventative measure and as post-exposure therapies during sexual encounters.
To use a vaginal moisturizer, first wash your hands thoroughly before applying the product directly onto the vulva and labia. Creams and gels may be applied using your fingertips or a special applicator; supositories must be inserted using an applicator. Before purchasing an internal product (some labeled for external use only may lead to irritation and infection), read its label carefully to ensure you’re buying something designed specifically for that use; some products could actually absorb through your skin leading to discomfort or infection.
