Dry down there? Don't worry! You are not alone! Vagial dryness is a common problem that many women experience at different stages of their lives.
But as with any other topic related to women's intimate health, vaginal lubrication is not a topic that comes up in our normal conversation, even when we are suffering from an issue in that department.

Before we jump into the causes and what can you do to increase vaginal lubrication, let's understand the dynamics of vaginal fluids a little bit.

A happy and healthy vagina produces its own thin layer of clear fluid that lubricates the vaginal wall, keeping it thick and elastic. When the production of that natural lubricant declines, it leads to vaginal dryness which further leads to pain, discomfort, an increase in the chances of getting yeast infections and more frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). It can also make sex painful.

Why is my vagina dry? What are the causes of vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness can happen due to many reasons, both psychological and physiological.

But one of the main reasons behind vaginal dryness lies with estrogen!

The female hormone estrogen is responsible for keeping your vagina lubricated. When estrogen levels drop, for one reason or another, your vagina loses its natural fluid and becomes thinner and less elastic. Causes for dropping estrogen levels include menopause, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and menstruation.

Other reasons for vaginal dryness include allergies from cold and allergy medicines, drinking a lot of alcohol or smoking a lot of cigarettes and stress.

How can you increase vaginal lubrication?

There are various ways by which you can increase vaginal lubrication. You can do that by making changes in your diet or lifestyle. There are certain lubricants or medicines also available in the market that you can use. Have a look at all the options in detail:

Dietary changes

Taking vaginal health supplements can help in keeping your vagina happy and healthy. Some of the vitamins that you must include in your diet include:

Take Vit A

This vitamin helps in the development of mucous membranes that include the lining of the vagina. It also helps in terms of moisture and collagen production. Sources of Vit A include foods like eggs, milk, yoghurt, tomatoes, and mango.

Get more Vit BB

Your immunity also plays a huge role in the proper functioning of your body. And your vaginal health is also dependent on your immunity to some extent. Taking Vitamin B Complex - a supplement that includes all types of vitamin B boosts your immune system. You can take it through foods like fish, potatoes and bananas.

Include Beta-carotene in your diet

Beta-carotene is a provitamin. Provitamins are basically vitamins that help the body make other vitamins, in this case, Vit A. As already stated above, Vit A can help with vaginal dryness.

It can be found in foods like carrots, dark-green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

Incorporate Vit E into your diet

This is another vitamin that can help promote vaginal lubrication. It can be ingested from various foods like nuts, seeds, pumpkin and avocados.

Keep your body hydrated

Drinking an ample amount of water is not only good for your overall health but also good for your vaginal health. It keeps it properly lubricated and also helps in fighting off many UTIs. You can also add cranberry juice to your diet. Cranberry juice for UTI is one of the most common practices around the world.

The prescribed treatment for vaginal dryness

If none of the above work, you need to consult your OBGYN. They will analyse and recommend the right course of treatment.

Since one of the most common treatments for vaginal dryness is low estrogen levels, your doctor might prescribe topical, low-estrogen therapy to promote vaginal lubrication and improve the thickness and elasticity of your vagina.

Vaginal ring - Your doctor will insert a soft, flexible ring into your vagina. The ring steadily releases a low amount of estrogen into your vaginal tissues.

Vaginal tablet - This medication is applied with an applicator, similar to a tampon. You insert a low-estrogen tablet into your vagina and it nourishes your vaginal tissues.

DHEA treatment - Your body produces a hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) that helps in producing other hormones like estrogen. Early childhood is the time when your body's DHEA levels are at a peak and they decline with age. Your doctor will prescribe a synthetic version of DHEA as an oral treatment or a topical cream.

Lifestyle changes that can help increase vaginal lubrication

Believe it or not, making some lifestyle changes can help you deal with vaginal dryness:

Manage your stress better - Stress levels play a huge role in managing your hormones. Some research also says that stress, anxiety and depression can worsen vaginal dryness. Hence, it is advisable to indulge in some recreational activities and manage your stress.

Do some pelvic exercises - They are good for your vaginal muscles. Lower levels of estrogens weaken your muscles over time. Exercises like Kegels can relax tight muscles and strengthen weaker ones. Doing regular exercise will also increase blood flow to the vagina and eventually help with vaginal lubrication.

Apart from all this, you can also use lubricants while having sex as it will help you deal with pain and make it more pleasurable. You need to choose the right type of lubricant. Don't choose a lubricant that contains petroleum jelly or glycerine. Additionally, having regular sex can also help with vaginal stimulation and increase vaginal lubrication. Focus more on foreplay and give your body a chance to enjoy itself!