Vaginal dryness affects countless women, yet many suffer in silence, assuming it’s simply an unavoidable part of aging. The truth is far more hopeful: vaginal dryness treatments exist, and relief is available.

What is vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness falls under the medical umbrella term GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause), which encompasses a range of symptoms related to hormonal changes associated with menopause. 

“GSM symptoms can be anything. They can look like day-to-day discomfort, as if your pants aren’t sitting right, or when you use the bathroom and wipe, it’s very dry. The same applies during intercourse,” explains NP Brannock, “For some women, symptoms remain mild. For others, vaginal dryness becomes severe, causing extensive dryness that causes irritation and decreases quality of life with burning, irritation, bleeding, or tearing.”

The condition progresses gradually. For many people, symptoms happen slowly over time, and they don’t seek help until the dryness is drastic. Many women don’t realize that help exists until symptoms have significantly impacted their daily life and relationships.

What causes vaginal dryness?

The primary cause of GSM is hormonal change. In perimenopause, ovarian functioning is constantly fluctuating and can cause symptoms associated with the over- and underproduction of hormones. Then, in menopause, no hormones are being produced. With the reduction in hormones, all of the genital tissue thins and vaginal PH is thrown off, causing symptoms like dryness and frequent infections. 

However, menopause isn’t the only culprit. Any moment of ovarian suppression can trigger vaginal dryness, including breastfeeding, hormonal birth control, and certain cancer treatments. These conditions suppress hormone levels, creating symptoms identical to those of natural hormonal decline.

Common symptoms to recognize

Symptoms of vaginal dryness vary in severity but commonly include:

• Discomfort during daily activities
• Pain or discomfort during intercourse
• Vaginal itching or burning
• Vaginal irritation
• Recurrent vaginal or urinary infections
• Decreased vaginal lubrication
• Bleeding or tearing during intercourse

Many women initially attribute these symptoms to infections or assume they’re simply part of aging. “People often come into the office not knowing what they’re coming in for. They have painful intercourse, vaginal itching, vaginal irritation, and infections they can’t get rid of,” NP Brannock observes. “They come in with complaints they think are typical but really reduce their quality of life.”

Best treatment for vaginal dryness: from conservative to advanced

Traditional treatments for vaginal dryness include topical estrogen creams, vaginal suppositories, hormonal rings, and vaginal moisturizers or lubricants. “The gold standard is to re-estrogenize the tissue,” NP Brannock shares. “Patients can start out using an estrogen cream every day, then taper down to two times a week for maintenance.”

However, for women seeking more comprehensive relief, particularly those experiencing multiple symptoms like vaginal dryness combined with weakened pelvic floor strength or urinary incontinence, EmpowerRF offers a transformative option. EmpowerRF treatments stimulate blood flow, elastin, and collagen production, which help address the root cause, moisturizing and strengthening the muscles. 

“This non-surgical approach uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production, restore vaginal tissue health, and strengthen pelvic floor muscles,” NP Brannock emphasizes. “This addresses not just the symptom of dryness, but the underlying tissue changes causing it.”

You don’t have to accept vaginal dryness as normal

A critical misconception holds many women back from seeking help: the belief that vaginal dryness is simply part of aging that must be accepted. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Vaginal dryness is very common, but it doesn’t need to be ‘normal’. Sex doesn’t need to be off the table. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you need to be celibate,” NP Brannock emphasizes. “Restoring vaginal moisture can be such a benefit to quality of life, whether that’s painless intercourse or not having to be on antibiotics for UTIs or constantly peeing or peeing when you sneeze – these are all treatable.”

If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness symptoms that affect your quality of life, relief is available. Visit the Tryon Medical Partners Gynecology & Sexual Health specialty page to schedule a consultation and explore treatment options.

Also experiencing lichen sclerosus or incontinence? Learn more about treatment options.