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Vaginal Dryness

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment of Vaginal Dryness

By Cory Silverberg, About.com

Updated: March 08, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

If your body isn’t producing enough natural vaginal lubrication you may experience vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness can feel different for different women but generally feels like itching and irritation. For some women it can make sex painful or impossible.

Many women experience vaginal dryness and even live with the irritation and/or pain for many years without speaking to a doctor. Because vaginal dryness may be a sign of some underlying health concern, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about it, even if it's something that doesn't happen very often. Below you'll find more information about vaginal dryness.

Causes of Vaginal Dryness

There are several possible causes for experiencing vaginal dryness. Figuring out what is causing vaginal dryness is a good first step to finding a solution.

Medications That Cause Vaginal Dryness

There are a variety of medications that can cause vaginal dryness. Some medications lead to vaginal dryness by altering estrogen levels, while others can directly dry out the mucous membranes.

Treatments for Vaginal Dryness

While vaginal dryness may be one of the most common causes for pain during sex and can certainly decrease a woman’s interest in sex, the good news is that vaginal dryness is a problem that is usually very easy to resolve.

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