Please read: Important 2013 cancer research update from Dr. Michael Camilleri

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Conditions that contribute to vaginal dryness include those below.

Decreased estrogen levels
Reduced estrogen levels are the main cause of vaginal dryness. Estrogen, a female hormone, helps keep vaginal tissue healthy by maintaining normal vaginal lubrication, tissue elasticity and acidity. These factors create a natural defense against vaginal and urinary tract infections. But when your estrogen levels decrease, so does this natural defense, leading to a thinner, less elastic and more fragile vaginal lining and an increased risk of urinary tract infection.

Estrogen levels can fall for a number of reasons:

  • Menopause or the transition time before menopause (perimenopause)
  • Childbirth
  • Breast-feeding
  • Effects on your ovaries from cancer therapy, including radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy
  • Surgical removal of your ovaries
  • Immune disorders
  • Cigarette smoking

Medications
Some allergy and cold medications contain decongestants that can decrease the moisture in many parts of your body, including your vagina. Anti-estrogen medications, such as those used to treat breast cancer, also can result in vaginal dryness.

Sjogren's syndrome
In an autoimmune disease called Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome, your immune system attacks healthy tissue. In addition to causing dry eyes and dry mouth, Sjogren's syndrome can also cause vaginal dryness.

Douching
The process of cleansing your vagina with a liquid preparation (douching) disrupts the normal chemical balance in your vagina and can cause inflammation (vaginitis). This may cause your vagina to feel dry or irritated.

References
  1. Bachmann G, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of vaginal atrophy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  2. Casper RF. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of menopause. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  3. The North American Menopause Society. The 2012 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2012;19:257.
  4. Bachmann G, et al. Treatment of vaginal atrophy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  5. Fox R, et al. Clinical manifestations of Sjogren's syndrome: Exocrine gland disease. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  6. Frequently asked questions. Women's health FAQ072. Your sexual health. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq072.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121214T1150341035. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  7. MenoNote: Vaginal dryness. The North American Menopause Society. http://www.menopause.org/publications/educational-materials-for-women/menonotes. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  8. Vaginal and vulvar comfort: Lubricants, moisturizers, and low-dose vaginal estrogen. The North American Menopause Society. http://www.menopause.org/for-women/-em-sexual-health-menopause-em-online/effective-treatments-for-sexual-problems/vaginal-and-vulvar-comfort-lubricants-moisturizers-and-low-dose-vaginal-estrogen. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  9. Cano A, et al. The therapeutic effect of a new ultra low concentration estriol gel formulation (0.005% estriol vaginal gel) on symptoms and signs of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy: Results from a pivotal phase III study. Menopause. 2012;19:1130.
  10. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ028. Vaginitis. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq028.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20121214T1156584804. Accessed Oct. 31, 2012.
  11. Marnach ML (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 6, 2012.
  12. Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 3, 2012.
DS00550 Dec. 21, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print
  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger