Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Reduced estrogen levels are the main cause of vaginal dryness. Estrogen is a hormone that helps keep vaginal tissue healthy by maintaining normal vaginal lubrication, tissue elasticity and acidity. Other causes of vaginal dryness include certain medical conditions or hygiene practices.
Estrogen levels can fall for a number of reasons:
- Breast-feeding
- Childbirth
- Cigarette smoking
- Effects on your ovaries from cancer therapy
- Immune disorders
- Menopause
- Perimenopause (the transition time before menopause)
- Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery)
- Use of anti-estrogen medication
Other causes of vaginal dryness include:
- Douching
- Sjogren's syndrome
- Use of allergy and cold medications
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Dec. 04, 2020
- Bachmann G, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vulvovaginal atrophy). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- AskMayoExpert. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (adult). Mayo Clinic; 2019.
- Hoffman BL, et al. Benign disorders of the lower reproductive tract. In: Williams Gynecology. 4th ed. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Ferri FF. Sjogren syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2021. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 5, 2020.
- Peterson ZD. Treating sexual problems in aging adults. In: The Wiley Handbook of Sex Therapy. John Wiley & Sons; 2017.
- Kingsberg SA, et al. Female sexual health: Barriers to optimal outcomes and a roadmap for improved patient-clinician communications. Journal of Women's Health. 2019; doi:10.1089/jwh.2018.7352.