Vaginal dryness is when the walls of your vagina get thinner and drier. With less natural lubrication you can be left feeling itchy and uncomfortable. It can affect you at any time but tends to happen during the menopause.

This service is for women experiencing vaginal dryness caused by a change in the balance of your hormones around the menopause. If the level of your oestrogen hormone falls, it can affect how much vaginal fluid you produce.

You can also get vaginal dryness caused by hormone changes if you:

• Are breastfeeding
• Taking the contraceptive pill
• Have your womb removed (hysterectomy)
• Are being treated for cancer

It can also be caused by cleaning the inside of your vagina (douching), or having very hot baths; not being turned on during sex; or an underlying health condition.

If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness not related to the menopause, please see your GP in person.

You can take steps to help prevent vaginal dryness. You should avoid using any perfumed soaps or douches in and around your vagina. But you could try using a vaginal moisturiser like Vagisan or Replens. You might also find that eating foods rich in plant oestrogens, like soy products or flaxseed, can help.

If it’s a problem during sex, try enjoying more foreplay so you get more turned on. And you and your partner could use water-based lubricants.