Estrogen is the hormone responsible for keeping your vagina well lubricated. Consequently, the vaginal lining is red, bright, plump, and moist. As you age, estrogen levels start to drop, causing changes in your body, including your vaginal area. This leads to inflammation making the vaginal lining drier, thinner, and less elastic, hence dry spell along with other menopause symptoms. You will also experience itching, stinging, or burning sensation down there, which makes sex painful and uncomfortable.

Vaginal dryness is a significant problem that affects about 50 percent of women of all ages. Of that 50 percent, only 20 percent of the women talk to their doctors about it. Generally, vaginal dryness is caused by lowered levels of estrogen, the hormone responsible for making fluids flow through the vaginal canal. Lubrication is made possible through the glands that are located in the cervix. The moisture produced by these glands travel down the cervix and enters the vaginal canal, helping in the removal of dead cells in the vagina and also in keeping the vaginal canal clean. 

Ways to Increase Vaginal Lubrication

1. Strengthen your pelvic floor

Kegel exercise can increase blood flow to the vagina, which helps keep the tissue healthy and encourage lubrication. It also helps maintain the pelvic floor muscles, which can also be weakened as we age. Problems with incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse are exacerbated by the low levels of estrogen during menopause, so strengthening those muscles is doubly important. Kegels also have the added benefit of increasing sensation during sex and could improve your orgasms!

Kegel exercises target the muscles of the pelvic floor that support the rectum, vagina, and the urethra in the pelvis. Not only do Kegels lead to a better sex life, they also strengthen your pelvic floor providing better urine control and fewer urgent trips to the bathroom. You can purchase Empress Organics Yoni Eggs to start and assist you with your kegel workout.

2. Phytoestrogen-Rich Foods

Phytoestrogens are plant-based, natural estrogen replacements that are thought to provide a boost to a woman's hormones, helping to prevent a variety of menopausal and menstrual symptoms, including vaginal dryness. Numerous research results have shown the efficacy of adding phytoestrogens to the diet to improve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness; however, more research is necessary to fully ascertain the safety of phytoestrogens on women who are estrogen sensitive. Phytoestrogens are found in foods such as soybeans, soy milk, fermented soy products, tofu, flaxseed and flaxseed oil, and red clover. Additionally, phytoestrogens are present in cherries, legumes, apples, nuts and seeds, although not in quantities as high as those found in soy products.

Part of the problem with vaginal dryness is a hormone imbalance, so make sure to include food with phytoestrogens into your diet. Phytoestrogen-rich foods include cherries, flax seeds and other oil seeds. There are many natural items and foods that have high levels of phytoestrogens. Researches show that a regular intake of this nutrient helps in regulating hormonal secretion of estrogen and cure vaginal dryness.

3. Careful Cleaning

Avoid harsh soaps or creams, especially chemical ones, since they disturb the body’s PH and wash away protective vaginal fluids. Also make sure you avoid douching, as that can really lead to vaginal dryness. If you use harsh soaps and other cleansers / perfumes on your vagina it’ll disrupt this ecosystem, which will lead to growth of the bad bacteria and eventually cause several infections. To restore moisture and your vaginal PH balance use Empress Organics natural vaginal wash.

Body soaps and fragrances are not sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While a clear and concise label must be provided on the product, the only exception to soap ingredients is colorant. Manufacturers can therefore use harmful--and even toxic chemicals--when formulating soap.

 4. Supplements

Vitamin A supports the health of vaginal walls, relieves vaginal dryness and enhances general well being. Vitamin A, which is what beta carotene converts to in your body, helps maintain tissues, skin and mucous membranes. Vitamin A protects the body against vaginal dryness by increasing low estrogen levels. Vitamin A, found in sweet potato, leafy greens (e.g., kale and spinach), butternut squash, and apricots, is an antioxidant, which aids in good health. It can help maintain vaginal tissues and boost the mucous membranes in the vagina to stimulate the secretion of moisture there and promote healthy vaginal functioning. 

B-complex vitamins help to deal with the day-to-day stresses that can cause vaginal dryness. They work to stabilize the adrenal glands, and also relieve stress while stabilizing the immune system. They are also integral to the formation of red blood cells that bring blood and lubrication to the vagina. As B-complex vitamins are water-soluble vitamins, it needs to be replenished in the body each day.

Vitamin B12 helps to recycle the blood, maintain the nervous system and is helpful in improving vaginal dryness. The body constantly needs vitamin B12 to function at an optimal level, so it is important to replenish the body with an adequate amount of vitamin B12 on a daily basis. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 is 50 to 100 mcg.

B vitamins can also act like antioxidants, and are found in whole cereals, beans, potatoes, and nuts. Vitamin B is also available in supplementary form. It maintains the mucous membranes for overall vaginal health. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), found in milk and eggs, is also a valuable vitamin for boosting the release of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Vitamin C is involved in the synthesis of sex hormones including androgen, estrogen, and progesterone. It helps build collagen, which gives your skin its elasticity and is therefore useful for overcoming vaginal dryness. Plus, it can also help retain the elasticity of your urinary tract and prevent leakage or stress incontinence. Zinc, taken as a daily lozenge, provides immune support and is thought to revive vaginal tissue.

Boost lubrication with beta carotene and vitamins A and B, especially B4, B5 and B12. Also adrenal support vitamins/supplements can really help. Some examples of B-rich supplements include Ancient Earth mineral supplements. For adrenal support, try royal jelly. Black cohosh and wild yam are also said to help increase vaginal lubrication, but no research studies have shown this correlation. Make sure you proceed with caution if you try out these supplements.

5. Exercise

Like many other functions in the body, healthy vaginal tissues can be boosted by regular aerobic exercise. Working out for 30 minutes a day, five times a week increases the strength of the body in terms of fitness, disease prevention, and ability to fight infection. To help with vaginal dryness, any form of moderate intensity exercise that makes you slightly warm and breathless will help; try a yoga class, walking briskly, or jogging. While swimming is an excellent form of exercise, it is best to avoid this with vaginal dryness because the chemicals used in swimming pools are likely to exacerbate the condition. This is a good, healthy way to increase vaginal lubrication.

6. Regular Sex & Foreplay

Regular sex, whether with a partner or solo with a personal massager, can increase blood flow to the vagina and keep the tissue healthy. It encourages vaginal elasticity and pliability, as well as stimulating lubrication. Studies show that women who are sexually active have much less vaginal atrophy than women who are not sexually active. Intimacy and sex may change as you get older but should always be comfortable. If you experience pain or discomfort, use coconut oil and give yourself more time to become aroused through foreplay or cuddling. 

Lubrication naturally increases with extended foreplay. Other acts that build sexual desire such as watching sexy movies, sharing sexual fantasies, and enjoying sex toys and costumes can also get the juices flowing. Empress Organics Yoni Wands is also a pleasurable tool for massages and foreplay. Unlike toxic mainstream lubricants, which can cause pH imbalance and infections, Yoni Wands are natural gemstones with healing abilities. This is particularly important for women who are susceptible to UTI’s or BV. So make sure you enjoy the entire realm of sexual pleasure before diving into intercourse. 

7. Stay Hydrated

Research shows that 75 percent of Americans may suffer from chronic dehydration. It is generally recommended that each person drink at least eight to 10 cups of water a day. Chronic dehydration causes many health risks, and one of them is vaginal dryness. Drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water everyday will help in keeping the vagina fresh and free from bacteria accumulation along with regulating the hormones and increasing the vaginal lubrication. Along with this other healthy liquids like fresh juices, coconut water is also recommended.

8. Coconut Oil

Use coconut oil on the outside of the vaginal entrance and just inside the edge. Both products are excellent for rejuvenating dry, irritated tissues and for keeping vaginal dryness at bay. Cosmetic-grade olive oil is available at pharmacies and coconut oil should be pure, without other oils or additives.

Here is why coconut oil works best for vaginal dryness
It acts as an excellent lubricant: It helps moisturise and lubricate the area and relieve immediate discomfort due to burning and itching. It soothes the area and alleviates pain aggravated by friction due to movement. Coconut oil has certain antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help to fight fungal and bacterial infections. There are studies that indicate that topical application of coconut oil can help reduce atopic dermatitis. However, it also works for vaginal atrophy.
It keeps the area hydrated: Lack of estrogen makes the area dry and itchy. Not only does coconut oil take care of the dryness, it also shields the genitals from bacteria or fungus and saves you from vaginal candidiasis or vaginal infection.

9. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E is the collective term for fat-soluble compounds with distinctive antioxidant activities. Antioxidants limit the production of potentially damaging compounds known as free radicals in the body and reduce vaginal dryness by neutralizing free radicals in the vaginal tissues,

Vitamin E Oil is helpful for rejuvenating dry vaginal tissues when taken orally and when used as a topical application. Getting vitamin E from your diet may not provide a large enough quantity to supply your body with what you need to overcome vaginal dryness; you may want to take an oral vitamin E oil supplement. Foods to consume that contain vitamin E are all nuts, seeds and nut butters, avocados and all vegetable oils including wheat germ oil. Add some of these foods and healthful fats to your diet every day.

10. Stop Smoking

Smoking makes female dryness worse. Smoking cigarettes impairs blood circulation, depriving your vagina of oxygen and causing female dryness and exacerbating atrophy. Cigarettes can decrease circulation, which could intensify vaginal dryness.

11. Stop Douching

Most doctors recommend that women do not douche. Douching can change the necessary balance of vaginal flora (bacteria that live in the vagina) and natural acidity in a healthy vagina. A healthy vagina has good and harmful bacteria. The balance of bacteria helps maintain an acidic environment. The acidic environment protects the vagina from infections or irritation. Douching can cause an overgrowth of harmful bacteria. This can lead to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you already have a vaginal infection, douching can push the bacteria causing the infection up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, a serious health problem. Eliminate perfumes, scented soaps, douches, lotions and feminine hygiene sprays. These products contribute to drying out vaginal tissues, adding to the ongoing problem of dryness

12. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 is one of nature’s wonders, with numerous health benefits, including natural lubrication. You can also get more omega 3 in your diet with certain types of fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, sesame seeds, raw pumpkin, and sunflower seeds. Omega-3 fish oils (including 700mg EPA and 500mg DHA, daily) Essential fats are a necessary part of hormone balance and they can help to keep the body lubricated including the vagina.