Vaginal Dryness Treatment
Request a prescription for vaginal creams and tablets to effectively relieve the symptoms of vaginal dryness.
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Expert advice from registered doctors
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Range of creams and vaginal tablets available
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Fast delivered, effective vaginal dryness, itching and irritation relief
Vaginal dryness is a common health issue for 13% to 31% of women and more than 50% of postmenopausal women. Commonly caused by hormonal changes, vaginal dryness can often be related to the menopause, where oestrogen levels decline, resulting in the vaginal wall becoming thin, dry, and inflamed.
Vaginal dryness treatments include local hormone replacement therapy (HRT) such as vaginal creams and tablets. These are applied directly inside the vagina, delivering a low dose of oestrogen, and restoring hormone balance. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer a range of treatments, including Ovestin cream, Estriol cream, Vagifem, Vagirux, and Gina.
You can request vaginal dryness treatment from Superdrug Online Doctor by completing a short medical questionnaire for one of our doctors to review. If your treatment request is approved, we can discreetly send it to your home address or you can choose to collect it from your local Superdrug Pharmacy in as little as 2 to 3 hours after a doctor’s approval.
Available Treatments
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Delivery Options
How it Works
About Vaginal Dryness
What is vaginal dryness ?
Vaginal dryness is a common health problem for women that’s caused by hormone changes and results in the vaginal walls becoming thin, dry, and inflamed, also known as vaginal atrophy.
Vaginal dryness isn’t usually serious, but it can be uncomfortable and affect your daily activities, sex, and relationship with your partner. However, treatment is available.
Although vaginal dryness can affect all women, it is most common during menopause. Research shows that 55% of women experience vaginal dryness post menopause and over 50% do not report it to their doctor.
Symptoms of vaginal dryness
Vaginal dryness symptoms include:
- itching and soreness in and around your vagina
- pain or discomfort during sex
- needing to pee more often
- recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) including cystitis
These symptoms can interfere with daily activities and may stop you from feeling like you want to have sex.
What causes vaginal dryness?
The most common cause of vaginal dryness is a decline in oestrogen levels, especially during menopause. Oestrogen is important for maintaining the moisture and elasticity of the vaginal lining by acting as a natural lubricant. It also encourages the presence of healthy bacteria in the vagina to prevent infection.
During menopause, the ovaries gradually stop producing oestrogen. As the levels drop, the vaginal walls become thinner, drier, and less elastic, also called vaginal atrophy, leading to pain and discomfort. Your bladder and urethra can also become thinner and weaker in the process of this, increasing your need to pee, and because oestrogen helps to fight off harmful bacteria, low levels can sometimes leave you susceptible to UTIs, including cystitis.
Other causes of vaginal dryness are:
- childbirth
- breastfeeding
- anti-oestrogen medications
- having your womb removed (hysterectomy)
- cancer treatments like chemotherapy
Some causes of vaginal dryness are not hormone related. For example:
- diabetes – high blood sugar levels can damage vaginal blood vessels, restricting blood flow and reducing lubrication, leading to dryness and irritation
- douching – washing inside the vagina in the shower or having very hot baths can remove the natural oils and disrupt the bacteria and pH balance which causes dryness and irritation
- Sjögren’s Syndrome – an autoimmune disease that attacks the moisture-producing glands including those in the vagina
- lifestyle causes – not being aroused or lack of foreplay before sex, stress, dehydration, medications, and use of harsh soaps and feminine products
Treatment for vaginal dryness
Several treatments are available for vaginal dryness, both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
If vaginal dryness is caused by changes in hormone levels, prescription creams, gels, and tablets and other types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help restore balance in your vagina.
Vaginal dryness medications
At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer several effective treatments for vaginal dryness. Scroll along the table to find out more:
| Estriol cream | Ovestin cream | Vagifem | Vagirux | Gina | |
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| Type | Cream | Cream | Vaginal tablet | Vaginal tablet | Vaginal tablet |
| Active ingredient | Estriol | Estriol | Oestradiol | Oestradiol | Oestradiol |
| Effectiveness | >95% | >95% | 85.5% | 85.5% | Improves vaginal hormonal levels and pH after 12 weeks |
| How does it work? | Replaces the naturally declining oestrogen levels in the vagina directly into vaginal tissues, rehydrating, moistening, and alleviating discomfort | Replaces the naturally declining oestrogen levels in the vagina directly into vaginal tissues, rehydrating, moistening, and alleviating discomfort | Delivers a small dose of oestrogen directly into the vagina to replenish low levels and restore lubrication and alleviate dryness and discomfort | Delivers a small dose of oestrogen directly into the vagina to replenish low levels and restore lubrication and alleviate dryness and discomfort | Vaginal tablet that delivers a small dose of oestrogen directly into the vaginal wall, restoring hormone levels, replenishing natural moisture and restoring pH balance |
| How quickly it work? | 3 to 12 weeks | 3 to 12 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks | Up to 12 weeks | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Prescription only? | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
These are types of local HRT which act directly on the vaginal wall to restore hormone balance and alleviate symptoms, such as:
However, if you are also experiencing more widespread menopause symptoms, like hot flushes, night sweats, or mood changes, you may need a different type of HRT, like oral pills or patches.
How effective is vaginal dryness treatment?
Vaginal dryness prescription treatments are effective with most women experiencing relief from vaginal dryness, including itching, irritation, and pain during sex within 12 weeks.
Research shows that
Are there any over-the counter treatments for vaginal dryness?
Yes,there are several over the counter vaginal dryness treatments available. They include lubricants and moisturisers that can be bought over the counter at most UK pharmacies without a prescription.
HRT
Gina is an over the counter local HRT that is available to buy online and from most UK pharmacies without a prescription. It contains the active ingredient, estradiol, a type of oestrogen and is available as a vaginal tablet. The tablet is inserted directly inside the vagina, delivering hormones to treat vaginal symptoms.
Lubricants
Vaginal lubricants are used during sex to reduce friction and pain. Water-based lubricants are best and are applied in and around the vagina, on your partner’s penis, fingers, or a sex toy. Examples of lubricants include:
Moisturisers
Vaginal moisturisers are creams or gels that are applied in and around the vagina to keep the lining lubricated, preventing irritation and discomfort. Some examples of vaginal moisturisers that can help with menopausal vaginal dryness include:
Preventing vaginal dryness
You can help to prevent or manage vaginal dryness by doing the following:
Avoid harsh cleansing regimes
Products like perfumed soaps or washing or douching in and round your vagina can irritate the delicate tissues, strip away the natural lubrication, and disrupt the natural pH balance which can lead to dryness and irritation.
When washing, you should focus on gently washing the external vulva with plain, lukewarm water or a mild, unscented soap. You should also avoid scented toilet paper and sanitary products like pads and tampons.
Use vaginal moisturisers
Regularly using vaginal moisturisers can manage dryness because they add moisture to the vagina. This will help to keep the vagina lubricated and prevent irritation. Vaginal moisturisers can be bought over the counter without a prescription.
Use lubricants before sex
Applying a water-based lubricant before you have sex is recommended to reduce discomfort or pain. It can be applied in and around your vagina, on your partner’s penis, fingers, or on sex toys to help you feel more comfortable.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing
If you experience vaginal dryness, you should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing as this can make any discomfort worse by causing friction and irritation. Choose loose-fitting clothes and 100% cotton underwear.
Make sure you are aroused before sex
Vaginal dryness can also be caused by not being properly aroused before sex. To combat this, engage in more foreplay with your partner to increase arousal and natural lubrication.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids can help to manage vaginal dryness, particularly if you are dehydrated. Although this is unlikely to be a cure, it can support the moisture-producing glands to function properly and support other treatments you are using.
FAQs
Why does vulval itching get worse at night?
Vulval itching may appear worse at night because there are fewer distractions, making you more aware of the sensation. Also, being in bed can cause the temperature to rise, and cause you to sweat around your vagina, which could increase irritation
How long does vaginal dryness last?
Vaginal dryness caused by menopause can be a persistent and chronic issue that will require ongoing management and treatment. If there is an underlying cause, such as diabetes or lack of sexual arousal, treating this could improve dryness and irritation.
Can vaginal dryness cause bleeding?
Yes, vaginal dryness can cause bleeding, especially during or after sex because of friction and a lack of lubrication, leaving your vaginal tissues more susceptible to damage.
Can vaginal dryness cause burning?
Yes, vaginal dryness can cause burning and it is a common symptom.
Can vaginal dryness cause pain?
Yes, vaginal dryness can cause pain. It is commonly felt during sexual intercourse because of the low levels of natural lubricant being produced by the body.
Is vaginal atrophy the same as vaginal dryness?
Vaginal dryness is the main symptom of vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy is caused by a drop in oestrogen levels, causing the vaginal walls to become thin, dry, and inflamed. However, vaginal dryness can be caused by other factors, including a lack of sexual arousal, damaged blood vessels, and pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Sources
- A randomized trial on the effectiveness and safety of 5 water-based personal lubricants, The Journal of Sexual Medicine [accessed 13 March 2025]
- Efficacy and safety of ultra-low-dose Vagifem (10 mcg), emc [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Estriol 1mg/g cream, emc [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Factors associated with developing vaginal dryness symptoms in women transitioning through menopause: a longitudinal study, PubMed [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Gina 10 micrograms vaginal tablets, emc [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Vaginal Douching: Evidence for Risks or Benefits to Women's Health, PubMed [accessed 13 March 2025]
- Vaginal dryness, NHS [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Vaginal Dryness, ScienceDirect [accessed 13 March 2025]
- Vaginal hormone-free moisturising cream is not inferior to an estriol cream for treating symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy: Prospective, randomised study, PubMed [accessed 12 March 2025]
- Vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: findings from the REVIVE (REal Women's VIews of Treatment Options for Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey, PubMed [accessed 12 March 2025]
