Vaginal dryness is the decrease or absence of lubrication and moisture in the female genital area. This becomes a problem when the affected person suffers pain and discomfort when having sexual intercourse.

Midwife Carolina Bascur, who is also a professor at the University of Concepción, explains to BioBioChile that this happens as a result of the decrease in female sex hormones, especially estrogen (produced by the ovaries), in the body.

Although the expert points out that this decrease is normal in women who are in or have finished their menopause period (between 45 and 60 years old), this problem also affects younger people and is still a nuisance in life intimate of any woman with sexual activity or even in other aspects that involve the same organ.

As indicated by the official site of the US Library of Medicine, Medlineplus, vaginal dryness usually causes burning when urinating, slight bleeding after sexual intercourse, pain during intercourse, mild vaginal discharge, and itching in the genital area. .

Meanwhile, Magdalena Rivera, surgeon and sexologist at Medical Sex Center, details 5 factors that trigger vaginal dryness.

1. Contraceptives

“One of the most common causes of vaginal dryness is the use of hormonal contraceptives,” explains Rivera. This causes a hormonal drop that ends up manifesting itself in a lack of lubrication.

2. Menopause

Among the dozens of physical and biological consequences that menopause can bring to women, there is also vaginal dryness. In this case, the doctor explains that it happens due to the drop in estrogen experienced by the woman.

3. Alcohol

Magdalena explains that alcohol consumption can cause vaginal dryness "and it doesn't have to be excessive, because it can negatively affect a woman's lubrication at the moment with just one drink." In this way, the expert adds that "it is a myth that women get more 'excited' with this drink, at a hormonal level.

In this line, the consumption of THC (marijuana) or tobacco, can also inhibit vaginal lubrication.

4. Antiallergics

Another cause of lack of lubrication is the consumption of medications such as antihistamines. These medications are used to reduce or eliminate the effects of allergies, which works by blocking the action of histamine in allergic reactions, by blocking its receptors. By preventing mucus, it also affects intimate lubrication.

5. Psychological causes

The specialist indicates that dryness can also be caused by problems in the relationship, stress and other factors that can block female arousal.

“Stress in the workplace, problems in the relationship or even in other areas of daily life, can also cause a lack of lubrication, as well as other disorders,” adds psychologist Claudia Contreras to BioBioChile, a teacher and SPI Clinical Coordinator of the Faculty of Psychology of the Universidad del Desarrollo.

6. Hygiene products

"Washing the genital area with various chemical products (soaps or other 'special' solutions) can cause dryness by removing normal vaginal secretions," explains René Castro, coordinator of obstetrics and gynecologist at the Diego Portales University School of Medicine, to BioBioChile.

For her part, Rivera stresses that women should also be careful with their personal hygiene, avoiding applying soaps with chemical substances in the intimate area, since these tend to cause irritation, allergies, and they should also try to wear cotton underwear that is the noblest material, since it allows air to circulate well and prevents humidity.

7. Lack of stimulation

For Magdalena Rivera, the most common cause for a woman to have lubrication problems is because she has not had sufficient stimulation prior to penetration.

“Many times women do not achieve lubrication due to the lack of a 'pregame' to intercourse”, says psychologist Claudia Contreras.

8. Women's cycle

René explains that dryness can be circumstantial (for example, it happens on certain days of the cycle) and in that case "it shouldn't cause much concern." This can happen a few days before the menstrual period or even a few days after the last day of bleeding.