How Do I Relieve Vaginal Dryness Without Estrogen

How Do I Relieve Vaginal Dryness Without Estrogen - Vaginal dryness affects more than half of women at some point in their lives. But vaginal dryness is more than just a symptom. It’s a loud signal that something is amiss with your vaginal health, and it’s often caused by a shift in hormones – particularly estrogen. As a solution, estrogen-based treatments dominate the conversation, but they’re not the only answer. For women who either can’t use estrogen therapy or don’t want to, there are other effective options. 

Estrogen influences so many different areas of a woman’s health, so when estrogen levels are either too high or too low, you’ll begin to see the symptoms manifest in different ways. When it comes to vaginal health, estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining both the health and moisture of vaginal tissues. 

When estrogen levels are balanced, the hormone helps to protect the integrity of the vaginal walls, including maintaining proper pH and moisture levels. 

So far, so good, right?

When estrogen levels drop, which happens as a natural result of perimenopause and menopause, the vagainal walls become thinner, less elastic, and more prone to irritation, along with a loss of moisture.

There are other reasons estrogen levels can plummet, including childbirth, pregnancy, certain medications, like hormonal contraceptives and GLP-1s, and some health conditions. Whatever the cause, the effects on vaginal health are the same.

Feminine dryness can cause itching, burning, pain during sexual intimacy, and even microtears that can lead to infection. 

Yet despite the prevalence of vaginal dryness and the severity of the symptoms, many women don’t seek help. Some are hesitant to bring it up with their healthcare practitioners, but others are aware that a common first line of treatment is estrogen therapy – which they don’t want. 

The best treatment for feminine dryness is the one that treats the root cause of the issue. Given that low estrogen is a common culprit, it makes sense that replacing the estrogen is the direction most health providers suggest taking. 

There are two different types of hormone treatments for vaginal dryness. There is a systemic approach, which includes estrogen, sometimes along with other hormones, given most often through either a daily pill or an estrogen patch. 

With this route, estrogen reaches every part of the body, bringing with it all of the benefits and risks. For many women who have had hormone-related cancers or are at a higher-than-average risk, this isn’t an option. 

The other estrogen replacement option is vaginal. Whether it’s a cream or a suppository, the estrogen is applied directly to the vaginal tissues. This type of estrogen treatment stays where you put it. It delivers estrogen to vaginal tissues, helping to improve moisture and overall vaginal health, but it doesn’t have a systemic effect. Still, many women aren’t comfortable with this approach. 

While moisturizers and lubricants are a short-term option, they still fall short of truly relieving dryness. Fortunately, estrogen and short-term relief aren’t the only options for finding relief. There are a number of natural remedies that support a woman’s body and her health, ultimately restoring moisture and helping her reclaim her body from the disruptive symptoms of vaginal dryness. 

Sea Buckthorn: Sea buckthorn is one of the few natural sources of omega-7 fatty acids, which work overtime to support the health and moisture of mucous membranes – including vaginal tissues. 

Omega-7 helps to restore hydration, elasticity, and cellular integrity of vaginal mucous membranes. This includes lack of moisture caused by vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women, all without the help of supplemental estrogen therapy. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish, nuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and soybeans, omega-3 fatty acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Low-grade inflammation is a frequent culprit of vaginal discomfort, including dryness. 

In addition to helping calm inflamed vaginal tissues, omega-3s play a key role in cellular hydration and repair.  

Vitamin D: The sunshine vitamin is great for protecting our bones, lifting our moods, and keeping our immune systems strong. It’s also great for promoting vaginal cell regeneration. 

Healthy cells are better able to maintain proper hydration and pH balance. It’s suggested that women who are deficient in vitamin D are more likely to experience vaginal dryness, but that regular vitamin D supplementation can help improve moisture. 

Vitamin E: This powerful antioxidant helps to repair damaged tissues, along with soothing inflammation and irritation. For women who are feeling parched, vitamin E can also help soothe the associated symptoms of itching and burning. 

Probiotics: What happens in the gut affects the entire body, including vaginal health. Probiotics help keep the right ratio of beneficial vs bad bacteria in check. When unbalanced, women are more prone to irritation, yeast infections, and dryness. 

Probiotics come in the form of supplements, or probiotic foods, like yogurt, kefir, fermented pickles or sauerkraut, kombucha, and sourdough breads. 

In addition to foods and supplements that can support vaginal health, there are small shifts and lifestyle adaptations that can make a big difference. 

• Hydration: Everyone’s hydration levels are different, but the golden rule is to aim for at least eight glasses of water a day. 
• Use Gentle Cleansers: Avoid harsh soaps and fragranced cleansers for intimate areas. These can cause irritation, which can lead to inflammation and dryness. 
• Stress Relief: Cortisol has a far-reaching effect on health, and stress causes it to become chronically elevated. The result is inflammation that can also affect vaginal health. Spend some time each day invested in stress-relieving activities, like yoga, meditation, or journaling. 
• Intimacy & Touch: Use non-hormonal, gentle lubricants and moisturizers to make intimacy more comfortable. Sensual touch also increases blood flow to vaginal tissues and increases moisture. 
  

Smooth As Silk+ helps to restore vaginal moisture and elasticity at a cellular level, making it a gentle, effective option for vaginal dryness caused by hormonal shifts, medications like GLP-1s, and stress. Many women report noticeable symptom relief within just weeks of use. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free. 

If you have been asking yourself how to relieve vaginal dryness without estrogen, you are not alone. Estrogen-based treatments are effective, but they’re not the only options. Whatever the cause of vaginal dryness, relief doesn’t have to come in the form of a prescription with side effects. 

High-quality, pure, plant-based supplements like Smooth As Silk+ are changing how women manage feminine health. Omega-7, omega-3 DHA, and vitamin D3 are game changers for women’s health. If you’re ready to relieve dryness and support your body naturally, Smooth As Silk+ is a beautiful way to start. When you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, it’s not just about the discomfort. It’s about how dryness disrupts your life, from comfort and intimacy to self-confidence.