The best natural lubricants to help with vaginal dryness
Let’s get juicy!
Vaginal dryness is something that isn’t much talked about, that’s for sure!
Experiencing vaginal dryness (or vaginal atrophy), a common complaint from women both during and after menopause, can include:
- Irritation
- Itching
- Soreness
- Painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness
- Vulvar-vaginal thinning and irritation
- Increased vaginal and bladder infections (due to decreased vaginal flora and increased pH)
- Decreased desire, arousal, and orgasm
Actually, the most commonly reported vaginal symptom among all postmenopausal women is dryness (76.4%).
Though dryness is most common among these groups of women, vaginal dryness and associated symptoms may occur in women of any age or circumstance.
The most common cause of vaginal dryness is decreased estrogen levels, which leads to thinning and drying of the vaginal wall. However, there are several other factors such as medical conditions and psychological conditions including stress, depression, and anxiety which may also contribute to vaginal dryness.
The vagina can be easily disrupted. Certain soaps, swimming pool chemicals, washing powders, and physiological changes can all dry out mucous membranes and lead to vaginal dryness. It can also occur in response to douching, pelvic radiation, prolonged use of tampons, advanced endometriosis, diabetes, and as a side effect of a variety of medications, including aromatase inhibitors used to treat breast cancer, such as Tamoxifen.
One of the easiest solutions to vaginal dryness during intercourse is to use personal lubricants before and during the deed.
There is a multitude of lubricants on the market and it can be a daunting and costly experience to find the one that works best for you. Thankfully, there are a multitude of well known but also some less known DIY lubricants that can be easily done at home with less to none effort and costs.
Let’s have a look at the best DIY lubricants:
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil will go a long way as a lube. Choose the kind that’s solid and melts in contact to your body.
Keep in mind that coconut oil could wear down a latex condom!
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant that has been in existence long before the Egyptian civilization. The juice of the plant can be used as a lubricant as well as regenerative remedy for vaginal tightness. As a lubricant, Aloe Vera aids penetration and friction when having sex. The slimy liquid is to be applied directly to the vagina before and during intercourse.
Because its regenerative nature, Aloe Vera heals and repairs damaged and torn vaginal walls. Aloe vera has cooling, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and skin healing qualities which makes it ideal for use in many different circumstances. To achieve all this, direct application of Aloe Vera is recommended not only during sex, but on a regular basis. One or two spoonful of the gel should be rubbed on the inside and outer part of the vagina.
Make sure your aloe gel is 100 percent pure aloe vera, and contains no sugars or artificial ingredients.
Plus, the slippery stuff is totally safe to use on condoms since it contains no oils or properties that can break down latex.
3. Corn Starch
Corn starch is a great natural alternative of home made lube, it takes a few minutes to make and it is extremely cheap. Studies have shown that this lubricant not only provides protection from friction injuries, takes care of rashes but also prevents the body from having an environment conductive for Candida Albicans (yeast).
How to make it?
Use 2-4 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1 cup of water. Mix the cornstarch with the water in a pot (add cornstarch gradually to avoid clumping). Add more teaspoons of starch if the mixture looks too transparent to you.
Continuously stir the mixture until the pot is boiling to avoid clumps.
Let it cool at room temperature (not in the fridge or freezer!) and poor it into a plastic container when cold.
4. Boiled Flax Seeds
In order to make your own personal lubricant out of flaxseeds, you will need 2 1/2 tablespoons of flaxseeds, 2 cups of water and a pot.
Bring two cups of water to a boil, add flaxseeds and allow them to boil until water is reduced to half (20 min). Remove from heat and allow to cool, strain it, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for an extended life of it.
Can be used as hair gel as well !!!
5. Ghee
Ghee is clarified butter, that is mostly used in Ayurvedic practice because of its nutritional and medicinal properties.
For lubrication apply a tiny dollop oh ghee onto the vaginal area before intercourse.
6. Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich with unsaturated fatty acids that help enhance hydration and help repair vaginal tissue without disturbing the vaginal flora.
Massage a teaspoon full inside your vagina once or twice a day depending on the gravity of your symptoms.
7. Essential oils
Essential oils are a great addition to help soothe the vaginal tissue.
Simply use 6 Tablespoons of your favorite organic oil as a base (Coconut, Almond, Apricot, or even Olive Oil) and 3-4 drops each of:
- lavender essential oil
- geranium essential oil
- ylang ylang essential oil
- peppermint essential oil
- chamomile essential oil
Lavender calms and relaxes the nervous system. Ylang Ylang is a natural aphrodisiac. Geranium supports healthy hormone function. Chamomile has healing effects on the tissue. Add the peppermint if you are looking for a tingly sensation. This oil not only makes an aromatic personal lubricant, but it can be used as a massage oil as well.
Keep in mind that oil lubricants are breaking down latex condoms.
8. Vitamin E
As a potent skin hydrator, vitamin E can be applied to the vagina for extreme dryness and irritation. In addition to this, vitamin E helps with tissue repair and combats free radicals which can contribute to infection, disease and inflammation. When selecting a product look for a natural vitamin E without any other additives and apply as often as needed.
Insert the capsule of vitamin E into your vagina while lying down or standing with one leg elevated. Slowly push the capsule into your vaginal opening. Your vagina will effectively absorb the casing of the capsule, releasing the oil slowly over time.
You can also pierce one capsule and use your fingers to rub the oil outside of your vaginal wall to lubricate your labia.
As with coconut oil, vitamin E is an oil and is therefore unsuitable for use with condom.
9. Oil of Evening Primrose
This medicinal oil helps treat vaginal dryness. You can take it as a supplement or you can insert a punctured capsule into your vaginal cavity and let it absorb into your body overnight.
CONCLUSION
Vaginal dryness is one of the most common complaints during and post menopause as a result of the decrease in level of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA.
written by
Laura peischl, ba, inhc
Laura is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Holistic Menopause Health Specialist and Certified Hormone Health and Wellness practitioner. She is the founder and owner of Feel Good Menopause™️.