Vaginal dryness happens outside menopause, too. The drop in estrogen causes the tissue that lines the vaginal walls to thin, so there are fewer cells that secrete moisture. “Less estrogen means less natural vaginal moisture and elasticity.” “Fluctuation of hormones, specifically a drop in estrogen levels, can lead to vaginal dryness,” explains Mary Jacobson, MD, an OB-GYN and the chief medical officer of Alpha Medical. Most often, people with vaginas experience vaginal dryness during perimenopause and menopause. Reviewers love that they notice a difference in burning, itching, and painful intercourse right away after using this product, and, in many cases, this moisturizer was recommended by their doctor. Since vaginal dryness can also be accompanied by vulvar dryness, and because the applicator product is more expensive, many customers prefer the option to apply it with their fingers. This product comes in a bottle and can be applied with your fingers, but it also comes in pre-filled tubes that can be emptied directly into the vagina, depending on what you prefer. In fact, it was one of Jacobson’s top picks for these two reasons. What sets it apart from the rest is that it’s both pH neutral and has the right level of osmolality to mimic natural vaginal secretions. This fragrance-free vaginal moisturizer is a long lasting gel. Who it’s best for: moisturizing both the vaginal and vulvar.Cons: Some users reported difficulty applying the product without the applicator.Pros: application options, affordable price, and pH and osmolality to mimic vaginal secretions.There are plenty of options under this price point, with many on the lower end of the spectrum. Vaginal moisturizers don’t need to be expensive to be effective. We considered real experiences with each product - and the company that makes it. “While these products may be tempting, they may be more likely to cause irritation.” It’s important to choose products that are fragrance-free and flavoring-free, Brightman says. The best vaginal moisturizers use expert approved ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, bioadhesives, and natural oils and extracts. But where possible, we’ve chosen products that fit these standards. “Unfortunately, a number of vaginal lubricants and moisturizers do not include pH and mOsm/kg values in their ingredients,” Jacobson notes. According to Jacobson, anything under 1200 mOsm/kg is generally acceptable. A normal vaginal pH balance is between 3.8 and 4.5. Choosing products with the right pH and osmolality helps maintain optimal vaginal pH balance, and they will be physiologically most similar to natural vaginal secretions, Jacobson says. Here’s what we considered when choosing the best vaginal moisturizers. “These promote intracellular water absorption and also lower vaginal pH, which allows the vagina to absorb more good bacteria for a healthier environment overall,” Jackson says. “This makes the vagina more elastic,” Jackson says.Īnother common class of vaginal moisturizer contains bioadhesives. Aloe is another common natural ingredient, notes Rebecca Brightman, MD, a board certified OB-GYN and menopause specialist.Īnother key ingredient is hyaluronic acid - just like what you see in skin care products that promise deep hydration by binding to water, explains Alicia Jackson, PhD, the CEO and founder of Evernow. Though natural oils can be used on their own, they’re also often included as an ingredient in creams and gels. Coconut oil and almond oil may also be good options. Sometimes, oils come in capsule form, like vitamin E liquid capsules. Lastly, natural oils can also work as vaginal moisturizers.There are also suppositories, which are pills and capsules that you place inside your vagina.The first two are creams and gels, which are usually applied with an applicator or your finger directly into the vagina.There are four main types of vaginal moisturizers:
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