Feminine or vaginal dryness is a common problem for post-menopausal women, but it can occur at any age, according to MayoClinic.com. It can be a symptom of vaginal atrophy, which is the thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls caused by a drop in estrogen, or it can occur on its own. Symptoms include itching, burning, pain---especially during sex, and an increase in the need to urinate. Most of the time, it is caused by hormonal changes.
Decreased Estrogen
A reduction in estrogen is the most common cause of vaginal dryness, according to MayoClinic.com. The female hormone estrogen normally maintains vaginal lubrication, but when there isn't enough estrogen, not enough lubrication is produced. The most common reason for estrogen levels to drop is menopause. Other conditions that reduce estrogen levels are childbirth; breastfeeding; most cancer therapies, particularly radiation treatments to the pelvis; surgically removed ovaries; and some immune disorders. The autoimmune disease, Sjogren's syndrome can cause feminine dryness, as can severe stress and depression.
Drugs
Some medications cause the body to lose moisture in many areas including the vagina, according to MayoClinic.com This includes allergy and cold medications and some antidepressants. There are also medications that deliberately block estrogen to treat breast cancer, fibroids, endometriosis and infertility. These drugs can cause feminine dryness.
Lifestyle Factors
Douching can throw off the natural chemical balance in the vagina and cause inflammation that may lead to vaginal dryness in some women, according to MayoClinic.com. In addition, extreme exercise can cause estrogen levels to drop, causing feminine dryness, notes MedlinePlus. Smoking can also cause vaginal dryness because it makes the body's supply of estrogen less effective, and impairs blood flow to the vagina, depriving it of nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, dryness is sometimes caused or worsened by tampons, condoms, soaps, laundry detergents, lotions or perfumes that can irritate the vagina.
