Vaginal Dryness

Many people are affected by vaginal dryness at some point in their lives. The vaginal lining is normally lubricated, which keeps tissue thick and elastic. Vaginal dryness happens when a decrease in lubrication — along with anatomical changes, like the loss of the vaginal ridges and the loss of elasticity of the tissue of the vagina and vulva — makes vaginal tissue get dry and thin. 

This uncomfortable symptom causes discomfort during sex and can cause pain when you’re exercising, peeing, or even just sitting down. Some people say vaginal dryness feels like an infection because they have burning and itching.

Vaginal dryness can be caused by many different factors. You might have vaginal dryness because you’re simply not sexually aroused or because you use perfumed soaps and washes around or in your vagina. Decreasing hormone levels and certain treatments for health conditions can also cause vaginal dryness.

Estrogen is what helps to keep the vagina lubricated. When estrogen levels drop, the vagina changes. Its walls thin, the folds reduce, length gets shorter, and the outside of the vagina, or vulva, gets smaller. Overall, the skin and tissues of the vagina become thinner and less elastic.

During menopause, your body starts making less estrogen, which can in turn cause vaginal dryness. Your estrogen levels drop whether you’re in natural menopause or menopause brought on by breast cancer treatment. 

Vaginal dryness can be caused by the following breast cancer treatments:

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  chemotherapy

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  hormonal therapy:

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    Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole)

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    Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane)

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    Evista (chemical name: raloxifene)

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    Fareston (chemical name: toremifene)

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    Faslodex (chemical name: fulvestrant)

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    Femara (chemical name: letrozole)

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    tamoxifen

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  ovarian removal or shutdown

Not everybody who has vaginal dryness goes to their doctor. If your symptoms are bothering you, you should seek care. Your doctor can diagnose vaginal dryness after asking you some questions about your medical history and doing a pelvic exam to see if the inside of your vagina is thin, dry, and/or red.

Your doctor may also do a blood test to check your estrogen levels and rule out other causes besides breast cancer treatments or menopause. A sample of your vaginal discharge can also help your doctor rule out other causes of vaginal dryness, including vaginal infections.

There are many different treatments for vaginal dryness, including vaginal moisturizers and lubricants and vaginal estrogen. Not all treatments for vaginal dryness symptoms require a prescription from your doctor, but some do.

 Learn more about treating vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness can disrupt your everyday life. Consider talking to your doctor or someone on your cancer care team you trust. Your doctor may be able to recommend a combination of treatments (including OTC remedies) or give you advice on timing and dosage so you can get relief faster.