Vaginal Dryness and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Sometimes you avoid intimacy and say, “I’m just not in the mood… I’ve got things going on.”
But no one really knows what those “things” are.
Do you have low—or even no—sexual desire?
Do you feel a burning or itching sensation in or around your vagina?
Do you experience pain during intercourse?
A burning sensation during urination, or an increased and urgent need to urinate?
Does it feel like there’s irritation or sensitivity in and around the vaginal area?
Vaginal dryness is real, and it can increase the risk of urinary tract infections or vaginal infections. So, understanding what you’re going through and how to manage it is the first step in treatment.
Why does vaginal dryness happen?
It occurs due to a drop in estrogen levels, which the body naturally produces.
Estrogen can decline during normal stages of a woman’s life, like:
- Menopause
- Breastfeeding
- After childbirth
But it can also result from:
- Overuse of vaginal douches
- Certain medications, like cancer treatments or antidepressants
- Surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries
- Smoking
- And from medical conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
In PCOS, high levels of androgens (male hormones) and low estrogen contribute significantly to vaginal dryness.
To treat vaginal dryness effectively, we must address the root cause.
If you have PCOS, it’s essential to consult a gynecologist and a clinical nutritionist.
Changing your lifestyle to a healthier one can reduce the severity and symptoms of PCOS by over 70%, and in some cases, it may even eliminate the condition entirely.
In the meantime, here are some helpful tips you can follow until you see your doctor:
- Use vaginal moisturizers (available at the pharmacy). These can be applied inside and around the vagina to keep the area hydrated.
- Spend more time on foreplay to allow natural arousal to help reduce dryness—since low libido is often a factor.
- Any wash or cleanser you use in the vaginal area should be completely fragrance-free. Avoid products like musk oils or baby oil.
- Use water-based lubricants before sex. Apply them inside and around the vagina and also on your partner’s penis.
- Avoid using creams or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) unless specifically made for vaginal use, as these can cause infections.
Vaginal dryness is not something to ignore. It’s important to see a gynecologist, monitor your PCOS, and explore the many other effective treatments available—your doctor will help you choose the best one based on a full medical evaluation.
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