Vaginal moisturizers help alleviate friction and pain associated with everyday activities like peeing and sitting, as well as high-friction sexual activity. While lubricants reduce irritation, their efficacy decreases over time unless used regularly.
One product that often goes unrecognized when it comes to menopausal and postmenopausal care: vaginal moisturizer – is often overlooked and neglected.
Lubricants
The vagina contains small glands which provide essential lubrication. Unfortunately, sometimes these glands don’t offer enough lubrication which can lead to discomfort and sensitivity in intimate activities. Personal lubricants like Replens Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant may provide added comfort during intimate activities; water or silicone-based options can be applied directly onto either penis or vagina for maximum effect.
Lubricants made with natural ingredients are typically long-acting and safe for regular use with latex condoms and sex toys, often featuring gel form, cream form or solid capsules that can be inserted using tampon-shaped applicators. They may come in gel or cream forms – and may even come with their own applicator to use regularly!
Hormone-based lubricants may help replenish estrogen lost during menopause or from other conditions like an atrophic uterus, typically prescribed by physicians. Unfortunately, such treatments may have side effects including an increase in risk for ovarian cancer.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers can be applied directly with your fingers or using a reusable applicator to both external and internal vaginal tissues to provide relief from itching, discomfort and irritation, while regular use will make these tissues healthier and more flexible over time.
Moisturizers differ from lubricants by being designed for absorption by the skin and replenishing your natural supply of vaginal moisture. A variety of ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides and next-generation vitamins E & C work together to deliver lasting comfort while supporting healthy tissues.
Moisturizers may be used daily or as needed to help relieve dryness and itching, and are an excellent long-term choice for women seeking long-term comfort. Use of moisturizers will also help to prevent recurrence of symptoms if used regularly – but they won’t address the source of these issues themselves; additional therapies, like estrogen therapy may need to be combined in order to reach lasting solutions.
Hyaluronic acid
Vaginal moisturizers like Daily V Soothe use hyaluronic acid as a natural ingredient that attracts and holds water, deep hydrating tissues. This supports healing while decreasing irritation; making the moisturizer an efficient way of combatting dryness.
Moisturizers typically come in the form of gels or creams that can easily be applied with fingers or an applicator to the inner vaginal area. Moisturizers provide easy care without needing a valid prescription – perfect for women looking for nonprescription products to treat symptoms.
Make sure to read and follow directions for your product of choice, avoiding ingredients that could irritate sensitive vulva skin like propylene glycol, fragrances or harsh additives. Opt instead for products without these harmful components which are safe to be used 4-7 times weekly.
Natural oils
As you browse the feminine care aisle at your local store or open up the sexual health tab online, you may come across an overwhelming variety of products – but how do you select the one best suited for you?
Vaginal moisturizers may help alleviate itching and discomfort, but they won’t increase libido or make having sex easier, so for that purpose you will also require a lubricant.
Your local drugstore or beauty supply shop likely stocks various forms of lubricants without the need for a valid prescription, and these range in type from water-based gels that you apply with a disposable applicator shaped like a tampon to oil-based balms or solid capsules, both designed to rub onto outer genitals with fingertips or toys for massage and play, that you put inside with finger or toy for massage and rub onto the vulva (outer genitals). Oil-based lubricants tend to last longer but may break down latex condoms so should only be used during play sex activities. They tend to also smell worse than their counterparts!
