7 Reasons Why You’re Experiencing Vaginal Dryness During Sex
7 Reasons Why You’re Experiencing Vaginal Dryness During Sex
Vaginal dryness can be frustrating to deal with, but it may also indicate health issues. Here are 7 common reasons why you’re experiencing vaginal dryness during sex.
Vaginal Dryness During Sex
Have you been experiencing vaginal dryness during sex?
While vaginal dryness is most common in menopausal women aged 51-60, 17% of women experience vaginal dryness even before menopause.
In many cases, vaginal dryness can cause pain during sex, offset your sex life and result in a loss of sexual confidence.
Vaginal dryness can be frustrating to deal with, but it’s important to remember this is a common issue facing over half of the women going through menopause. And, at the end of the day, there are changes you can make to reduce this issue.
If you experience vaginal dryness, you’re going to want to understand the reasons behind it. Here are 7 common reasons why you might be experiencing vaginal dryness during sex.
1. Changes in Hormones
Changes in hormones are one of the most common causes of vaginal dryness during sex.
This is often caused by a decrease in estrogen that occurs after childbirth, whilst breastfeeding and during menopause. Your body will also produce less estrogen at the beginning at the end of the menstrual cycle as well as during any chemotherapy or radiation therapy of the pelvis.
Estrogen is deeply connected to vaginal lubrication and, when estrogen levels are low, the body’s ability to create lubrication is also reduced. Normal levels of estrogen help to keep the vagina moist and to maintain the thickness of the vaginal lining.
2. Insufficient Arousal
Sometimes vaginal dryness can be as simple as the woman not feeling sexually aroused.
During sexual arousal, the Bartholin’s Glands work to produce extra moisture to prepare for penetration. If the woman is not sufficiently aroused, the glands will fail to produce this natural lubrication. Without this moisture, the penetration feels forceful and can cause serious pain and discomfort for the woman.
Why does this happen?
This is often the result of an unsuitable partner, low libido or the partner’s rush for penetration. If the partner has a poor performance and experiences early ejaculation, the woman may not have had adequate time for her body to properly lubricate.
To counteract this issue, be sure to discuss with your partner sexual expectations and what your personal preferences and limitations are. Having each party understand one another’s sexual needs is the best way to have a positive sexual experience.
3. Stress and Anxiety
In order for the body to function properly, it’s important to be in the correct mindset before and during sexual activity.
Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety have proven to have significant effects on the body’s ability to produce natural lubrication. When a woman is experiencing these emotions, there is insufficient blood flow and vaginal dryness as a result.
Stress can also cause the body to produce increased levels of a hormone called “epinephrine”. This hormone interferes with the body’s sexual response cycle and, as a result, reduces vaginal lubrication.
In these instances, try experimenting with stress-reducing activities prior to engaging in sexual behavior. This can be anything from a sensual massage to a long and close-knit embrace.
Once stress and anxiety levels have decreased and sexual activity begins, the body’s natural lubrication should intensify.
4. Medications
Certain medications are linked to reducing the body’s natural ability to produce lubrication. These are medications such as:
- Allergy medications
- Asthma medications
- Cold medications
- Anti-depressants
- Birth control pills
Many of these medications contain antihistamines that have a drying effect on the body. This, in turn, can result in reduced levels of natural lubrication whilst taking these medications.
If you’re taking these medications, opt for using a lubricant to help with the ease of sexual activity.
5. Accelerated Foreplay
For women, experiencing dryness during sex is often the result of a lack of or inadequate foreplay. Without the proper foreplay, a woman’s vagina does not have the necessary time to prepare for insertion.
Without this proper lubrication, sex is going to be painful for the woman and the levels of natural lubrication are even less likely to develop. Sex without proper lubrication can cause a physical discomfort and irritation to the vagina lasting many days.
If you feel that your body does not have the proper time to develop this lubrication, try spending more time on foreplay. Be honest and forward with your partner and let them know that you would like to focus more on foreplay before penetration.
To elongate foreplay, try introducing new sex toys or accessories into the bedroom that will help to slow down the entire experience. These toys can be a fun way to add more excitement to foreplay and to decrease the rush toward penetration.
6. Dehydration
Dehydration is a significant factor in experiencing dryness during sex.
Some women might notice dehydration when they have been consuming alcohol. For times in which the body might be dehydrated, it’s best to make use of a lubricant to help increase the ease of penetration.
Dehydration can also be caused by extreme heat and warm temperatures as well as illness or flu.
This is, however, only a temporary means of vaginal dryness. Once the body returns to usual hydration, your body should naturally begin to produce the necessary lubrication.
7. Chemicals and Irritants
If the above symptoms seem unlikely culprits in your vaginal dryness, consider the chemicals that are around you on a daily basis.
The chemicals present in soaps, detergents, moisturizers, and other products may be a significant part of the problem. It’s possible that you are allergic or sensitive to these products and it’s causing internal dryness.
Carefully consider what products you are using to wash your sheets and towels. Remember, these are items that make daily contact with your body and are often laced with chemicals.
Instead, opt for more natural products and wash with unscented perfumes. Think laundry detergents, body wash, and perfumes.
Can Vaginal Dryness During Sex Be a Problem of Your Past?
It’s important to remember that vaginal dryness is not something you are facing alone. The truth is, most women experience vaginal dryness during sex at one point or another throughout their life.
Now that you better understand the reasons behind vaginal dryness, you can move forward in determining which treatment solution fits you best.
You can also consider more powerful treatments such as a vaginal rejuvenation procedure. This highly-effective treatment involves a laser and is a quick, painless and safe treatment for eliminating vaginal dryness.
Learn more about this procedure by visiting our website!
