What Your Body May Be Trying to Tell You: Why Vaginal and Vulvar Dryness Happen

Why does vaginal or vulvar dryness happen, and what might it be revealing about your body’s changing needs?

If you’ve noticed changes in your body, such as less natural moisture, increased sensitivity, or irritation in your vaginal or vulvar area, you’re not alone. These shifts can happen at different times in a woman’s life and often carry messages about what your body needs. They can feel uncomfortable, even confusing, but they’re also natural signals to slow down, pay attention, and give your body the support it deserves.

Hormones and the Seasons of a Woman’s Life

Estrogen is the hormone that keeps our inner tissues soft, hydrated, and elastic. When estrogen dips, as it does during perimenopause, menopause, and even breastfeeding, those tissues can become thinner and less lubricated. This can lead to dryness, burning, or discomfort with intimacy. Doctors now use the term Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) to describe this set of changes. It’s estimated that nearly half of women will experience some form of it, but many never talk about it or seek help. The good news: these changes are normal, and there are many ways to restore balance both naturally and with medical support.

Other Common Causes

Dryness and irritation aren’t only about hormones. Sometimes they show up because of things in our daily lives or other underlying conditions.

Life Transitions

Postpartum or breastfeeding: Estrogen drops temporarily after childbirth, especially while nursing. After surgery or cancer treatments: If your ovaries are removed or affected by chemotherapy or radiation, your body may go into sudden menopause, creating dryness or discomfort.

Everyday Irritants

The vulva is delicate and easily disrupted by what we use on it. Scented soaps, bubble baths, douches, and even some laundry detergents can strip away natural oils and upset the pH balance. Tight clothing or synthetic fabrics can also trap heat and cause friction.

Medications

Some medications, like allergy pills, decongestants, and breast cancer treatments, can reduce moisture in the body, including vaginal lubrication.

Skin and Autoimmune Conditions

Eczema, psoriasis, or conditions like lichen sclerosus can affect the vulva and cause itching or irritation. Autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome can also dry out mucous membranes, including vaginal tissue.

Stress and Lifestyle Factors

Stress, smoking, dehydration, and even over-cleansing can all impact circulation and moisture levels in your skin and tissues.

When to Reach Out for Support

If you’ve been feeling persistent dryness, irritation, or pain with intimacy, it’s worth talking to a trusted OB-GYN, nurse practitioner, or pelvic health specialist. You don’t have to live with discomfort, and there are many safe, effective ways to help your body rebalance.

A practitioner can help you explore hormone or non-hormone therapies, vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, pelvic floor support, and screening for underlying skin or autoimmune conditions. For many women, simple daily rituals like hydration, self-massage with nourishing oils, stress reduction, and rest make a meaningful difference in how the body feels.

If you’re not sure where to begin, start by talking with a trusted healthcare provider who specializes in women’s midlife or hormonal health. Finding someone who understands these natural transitions can help you feel supported and informed every step of the way.

The Invitation

Our bodies are always speaking to us. When dryness or irritation arises, they’re signaling a need for attention, perhaps for softness, nourishment, or deeper connection. If you’re noticing changes, reach out to a trusted healthcare provider and give your body the care it’s asking for. With the right support, these tissues can become supple, alive, and deeply well again.