It's important for women to buy only water-based vaginal lubricants. Preferably glycerin free brands as they may promote yeast infections in some women. Petroleum-based lubricants can harbor bacteria in the vagina and lead to infections, as well as cause damage to latex condoms rendering them ineffective. Silicone lubricants must be washed off with soap which may further dryness and itching. For discrete purchasing, check out this woman owned company http://www.babeland.com/lube-and-safe-sex.

Hi, I am new to this website. I was recently diagnosed with a "peppering" of a few autoimmune diseases. I am told that I have a few symptoms of Lupus, a few symptoms of RA and a few symptoms of Sjogren's. Including positive lab results for ANA. The ONLY problem that I am having currently is the vaginal dryness and irritation. I can relate to you and everyone on this blog. I have tried Premarin-did not work. Tried lubricants like K-Y, burns like heck. I am now on a birth control pill to try to stabilize my hormones. Still not working. My OB just prescribed a steroid cream to use externally and an anti-yeast cream to use externally for 30 days. I was informed no sex for 30 days. I think because of the risks of the steroid cream? Anyway, won't bother me. Sex is the very least on my mind. It has become soo painful. I don't think my hubby understood at first. Now that I have been diagnosed, he is understanding. I hope that someone has some insight out there and I also hope that everyone knows that you are not in this boat alone. I never thought I would be diagnosed with a disease.

Replens does supply relief for many Sjogies. I know when they have a booth at a Sjogren's conference, all the samples disappear quickly.

My rheumy advises me to always use a lubricant for sexual activity even if I don't think I need it. I do use Vivelle dot estradiole which does offer some tissue-preserving benefits. Also love a lubricant that isn't too thick and that is water-based. Sliquid is still my very favorite one. It feels more natural than some of the other options.

Having sex more often goes a long way to avoid atrophy and super dryness.

This is a good topic. I've been advised to use Replens. I have not tried it yet. The last pap I had felt like the Dr. inserted a double edge knife inside me. The pain wss horrible. It was so unexpected. The SJS & menopause has ruined any hope of me ever having anyone touch me. Here is my question, should i be still using Replens even though i have no intention of having um..well you know what I mean. I'm embarrased asking this question, it's so confusing on how I should treat the pain/dryness. Thanks!!

I use coconut oil it seems to be working really well for any area on my body when its dry. Ive read that it helps vaginal irritation too, hope this helps! (You can just get it at walmart).

shelby

So glad to see I'm not the only one! I was using 25 mcg of Vagifem & they took it off the market. I stopped using all meds last May trying to figure out what was wrong with me & found out that I was on too much Levothyoxine & became toxic. I still wonder if the Vagifem wasn't causing some major problems also since they took it off the market. Anyways, I stopped using it for 5 months & ended up with extreme dryness & eventual bleeding. I had started using Replens once in awhile also, but it was expensive & didn't give full relief. I then bought a sitz bath & started soaking which helped tremendously. I have been cutting my 25 mcg Vagifem tablets in half & using twice a week. I also have some estrace cream I use once in awhile. This condition is so very trying & vaginal sex is impossible. I give up well over a year ago. I have a very understanding husband.

I use a generic KY gel in my vagina and in my nostrils before I sleep at night.

I love that this topic is getting so much attention. My doc is great but we really need more women doctors! I hope this discussion is helping what looks like a large number of us with this concern.
I have some dryness but not what you are describing, and I do ok with lubes. I tried the estrogen cream (after hysterectomy at 38) but haven't seen a difference with it. The only thing I might offer is to suggest that you back up a bit and look at the rest of your skin.
I have always had very dry skin (eczema, rashes all winter, cracked fingers around the nails, etc) and found using Bronner's soap cured all that. And I am not having as much trouble vaginally either--not as dry, no yeast or pseudo-yeast infections in years! I mention it here because of the comment about coconut oil helping vaginal dryness and Bronner's is coconut oil based. Maybe there is a connection--regular soap is not only very drying, I have lots of sensitivities to all those additives. I may have missed it but did you mention what topical solutions you have already tried?
Also, I agree with RTZJ9 that we should only use water-based lubes, I get mine from babeland.com also. I strongly advise against Vaseline or other petroleum products.
P.S. It is so good to hear about supportive spouses. Mine is simply awesome, and I take care to let him know how much I appreciate him (especially when he puts in the extra effort to help get my juices flowing, or finds alternatives--mmm!)

This issue is sooo frustrating. I was reading all the comments. It seems that some of you get some relief from lubes. I just have tried them all and can't seem to find a thing that works. I have tried Replens-it burns. Tried K-Y, burns also. Everything I use burns. I was on Premarin, did no good. Plus, I don't know if any of you are aware of how Premarin is made, it is VERY inhumane to horses. But that is another subject. I am now on birth control pills to try and balance the estrogen, thinking that could help with relieving the dryness. To no avail, it has not worked either! HELP! Being intimate with my husband has ceased...he is very understanding, but I am at wit's end. By the way, coconut oil, do you find that in the grocery section???? Haven't tried that yet. It seems that there is no relief.

Recently had extremely uncomfortable vaginal dryness, and external pain. My nurse practionier suggested organic olive oil applied externally and a cold compress on top of layers of cotton. . Magic! I'm now healing....this was going on for 2 months and I used many products. I did take a one pill Dufican for yeast.

Hope this helps.
Janice

KY jelly works for me. If I don't use, I know I'm headed for a yeast infection later. Also, the really slender light flow tampons are a godsend. I thought my tampon using days were over, until I took one of my daughter's teenage tampons in a pinch. You have to change them a lot, but it's the only kind that doesn't hurt or irritate me.

I USE ALOE GEL. ON THE OUTER AREAS, AND I HAVE LOCAL HORMONE TREATMENT, DUE TO BEING AN OLDER LADY, THESE HORMONES HELP TO KEEP THINGS MOIST. AND HELP TO KEEP INFECTION AWAY. GOOD LUCK, YOU LOOK SO YOUNG.

I'm 40 now.I suffered with vaginal dryness 2 years back and my pediatrician suggest me to use dermalmd tightening serum since i had loose vagina that is the reason behind dryness.After 1 month of usage i felt far better and i kept on using till its cured completely.

Hi I also have this. My doctor told me about a product "Refresh" that is inserted vaginally and can get at like a local Walmart. It acts differently than something like KY. Is around 14.99 a box.

Hi I also have this. My doctor told me about a product "Replens" that is inserted vaginally and can get at like a local Walmart. It acts differently than something like KY. Is around 14.99 a box.