7 Things You Must Do To Keep A Dry Vagina From Tearing You Apart
Literally!
Kristina Petrick on Unsplash Having a dry vagina has many more unwelcome implications than most women are aware of, but it’s an issue we too often don’t want to talk about.
I was in my local co-op last week giving out samples of lubrication and was surprised by the number of women who just didn’t want to talk about their dry vaginas. Okay, maybe not surprised, exactly. After all, I was trying to speak with them about it in a public place ...in the aisle with the lubricants. (And yes, this was totally legit. I wasn’t just accosting women unawares.)
Many women think that if they aren’t currently having sex with a partner, vaginal dryness doesn’t matter.
But it does!
Vaginal dryness brings risk factors for secondary infections like yeast or bacterial infections. Beautiful mucus has the ability to slide infection right out of many orifices in the body, staying dry means losing out on our natural antibiotic superpowers.
And vaginal dryness symptoms in and of themselves can mean some serious discomfort and distress — including cracked skin, sores and even bleeding.
Then there is the emotional price we pay for a dry vagina. Pain during sex is no fun, and if you are too shy to talk about what's happening with your partner, your health care provider or even a good friend, you are likely to find yourself suffering in silence.
Some of us choose to tell ourselves that sex isn’t all that important to us anyway as a way to avoid having these uncomfortable conversations, but who really wants to believe that sex is no longer an option — especially if it’s your body you think made that decision without consulting you?!
So, what can you do to navigate this perilous road?
Here are 7 ways to bring life back to the desert known as your way too dry vagina:
1. Take your EFA’s
Meaning your essential Fatty Acids, especially Omega 3’s. These oils are the ones from fish oils, flaxseed, chia seeds and walnuts.
Besides being beneficial for your heart and generally reducing inflammation in the body Omega 3’s help to keep vaginal dryness at bay.
Another Omega found to be particularly good for vaginal tissue turns out to be Sea Buckthorn, covering the Omega 7 category. Don’t underestimate the benefit of having some good fat in your diet.
2. Avoid soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, perfumes, or douches
This one is pretty much self-explanatory. These things dry you out! Really.
3. Use water based lubricants
There are many good ones out there. Find one that’s good for you.
My favorite, since I created it is Yoni’s Bliss. It is not only water based, with soothing aloe, but it also adds a homeopathic element. I chose homeopathic remedies to address both water tissue balance as well as any sensitivity that might be present.
4. Talk to your doctor
Maybe a vaginal estrogen cream may be helpful or you. Look at your health history and assess the risks.
5. Insist on foreplay
Anything else is not an option. Again, Really!!
Your body —and mind — deserve some tender loving attention. Get some!
6. Have more sex
Hear me out. Having sex on a regular basis over time may actually increase your own natural lubrication. (Use lube in the meantime.)
7. Talk to your vagina
OK, this one may seem over the top for you, but your vagina has done some pretty remarkable things on your behalf! Gratitude goes a long way, and maybe she’ll even tell you some other secrets. Secrets that might juice you up in ways that you never imagined.
Mostly it’s dangerous not to talk about what’s going on with our vaginas.
So my suggestion is do!
Do talk. Do read, Do go to your practitioner. Do try something different.
We all deserve to be juicy! And we all deserve satisfaction.
Michele Brookhaus RSHom(NA), CCH is the playful creator of Yoni's Bliss, a homeopathic lubricating gel. She believes all women are entitled, worthy and capable of healthy happy vaginas.