Self-Care
The Menopause Wakeup Call That Has Clinic Calendars Jammed
Women reclaiming sexual pleasure have providers and pharmacies scrambling to meet demand for treatments to address vaginal dryness and other symptoms.
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Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry made headlines in 2024 when she shared that her trusted gynecologist mistakenly diagnosed her with herpes after she complained of pain that felt like “razor blades” during sex. In actuality, Berry eventually learned that her pain pointed to early signs of perimenopause, which marks the transitional period between a woman’s childbearing years and menopause. That transitional period can last anywhere between a couple of years and eight years, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
That eye-opening moment between Berry, who’s 59, and her gynecologist sparked her crusade to spread awareness about menopause. “I thought, wow ... I have one of the best doctors in all of California, and he didn’t really understand what this was,” Berry said during her appearance on Good Morning America. “That made me realize that there must be millions of women that don’t understand this.”
The truth is that vaginal dryness affects over half of postmenopausal women, per the Cleveland Clinic. “When you say someone is menopausal, that means that they’ve been 12 months without a period, [but] those estrogen levels are decreasing much sooner than that,” explains Rachel Miller, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. “For a lot of women, they’re going to start [experiencing] vaginal dryness by their mid-40s.”
Whether you’re starting to notice that you feel a little dry down there or whether your symptoms are really bothersome, rest assured that you can find relief. Read ahead for both natural and non-natural approaches to tackling vaginal dryness.
What does vaginal dryness feel like?
For many women, vaginal dryness causes discomfort during sex, as evidenced by Berry’s situation. When a woman gets sexually aroused, vaginal lubrication naturally increases to prepare her body for penetration. But according to Miller, when you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, the lack of lubrication can lead to friction despite feeling aroused by your partner.
Outside of penetration, Miller says vaginal dryness can show up as an itching or burning sensation and that douching and using harsh soaps can make it worse. Miller adds that women may also notice they suddenly feel tighter down there, due to loss of elasticity and lower estrogen levels. So, don’t be surprised if the tampons you’ve always worn suddenly feel uncomfortable to wear.
Three gentle feminine wash options: OLLY Happy Hoo-Ha Vitamin-Infused Intimate Wash ($9.99, Olly.com), The Honey Pot Sensitive Wash ($10.99, TheHoneyPot.co), and Freshie Lightly Fresh Wash ($17, FreshieFemCare.com)
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Natural remedies for vaginal dryness
Every woman experiences vaginal dryness differently, so don’t expect a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to addressing the issue. Usually, treatment options are split up between hormonal and non-hormonal, Miller says. What works well for your girlfriends may not work for you. In fact, it may take some trial and error to find a routine that works.
Something Miller says you can start doing right this minute is drinking enough water and eating more hydrating foods like cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, oranges, zucchini and spinach if you don’t already! When your body is dehydrated, vital organs like your brain, kidneys and liver are first in the line to receive water, according to the American Physiological Society. That means that the vagina is among the last to receive water. By staying hydrated (at least 8 cups of water daily), you can avoid putting your body in a position where it has to choose which areas to replenish.
You’ve probably heard that coconut oil works, right? Turns out, many gynecologists, including Miller, encourage women to use coconut oil (the type you cook with, not the type that’s in the hair section) externally as a natural moisturizer. A half teaspoon of room temperature coconut oil goes a long way and “lasts longer than the water-based lubricants,” Miller adds.
Good to know: Miller says if you’re using condoms during sex, do not use oil for lubrication; go with a water-based lubricant instead. Oils can weaken latex to the point of breaking when they come into contact with it.
What if natural remedies for vaginal dryness aren’t enough?
There are also non-hormonal medications worth trying, including Osphena, which is a pill that “tells the estrogen receptors in the vagina to [activate], and it causes thickness of the vaginal cells to help increase blood supply and elasticity,” according to Miller.
If non-hormonal options aren’t doing enough, then it may be time to discuss incorporating estrogen therapy. Miller assures that small amounts of localized estrogen are safer than taking estrogen in pill form. However, Miller points out that estrogen therapy can potentially worsen issues like deep vein thrombosis or bleeding between periods. And if you’ve ever been diagnosed with breast cancer or uterine cancer, then it’s crucial to discuss estrogen therapy with your oncologist first.
Recently, the Food and Drug Administration got rid of the “black box” warning from hormone therapy for women after determining that the warning was tied to outdated research and misled women in their care, pointing to the fact that the medical community still struggles with how to handle menopause. In fact, the FDA now states that undergoing hormone therapy between ages 50 and 60 can actually boost women’s heart, brain and bone health, while lowering their risk of breast cancer and dementia.
How to start a conversation with your gynecologist about vaginal dryness
Too many women feel embarrassed talking about vaginal dryness, so they often suffer in silence, but it’s impossible to get relief if you stay silent.
If you are struggling to bring up the topic with your gynecologist, Miller advises being straightforward and specific. “[Say] ‘I’ve noticed some vaginal dryness that’s bothering me. What do you recommend?’” says Miller, who emphasizes the importance of highlighting that it’s interfering with your daily life. “We deal with this every day, multiple times a day, and so it’s not unusual. It’s a statement that should prompt additional questions [from your doctor].”
Vaginal dryness deserves its own visit
Discussing vaginal dryness during your annual check-up may seem like the right time, but it can be a complex issue brought on by several factors besides hormonal changes, Miller states. If you want to cover all bases, Miller advises dedicating an entire visit to your concerns so it doesn’t feel like you’re glossing over an issue that could be interfering with your daily life.
“[Due to the health care system], we oftentimes have 15 minutes to discuss an issue with a patient. We want to take care of people … but we cannot address everything in 15 minutes,” cautions Miller. “It’s okay to make a visit just to talk about vaginal dryness so that it can get the attention that it deserves.”
Editor’s Note: As more of us revisit hormone therapy after the FDA removed the long‑standing “black box” warning, demand has surged—but access hasn’t always kept up. Many women are facing months‑long waits to see a gynecologist or encountering shortages at the pharmacy, particularly for estrogen patches. Some women are exploring menopause‑focused telehealth options such as Midi Health, Evernow, Gennev, and Alloy. For practical guidance on navigating delays, shortages, and alternatives, AARP offers a helpful resource on advocating for your care.
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