Vaginal dryness is a standard drawback that may have an effect on ladies at any age.
Nonetheless, it’s particularly prevalent throughout menopause and is commonly brought on by decreased estrogen ranges.
Stress, nervousness, decreased blood stream, and dehydration are just a few different elements which will contribute to decreased lubrication (1).
Luckily, a number of dietary supplements have been proven to assist forestall vaginal dryness and improve lubrication.
Listed below are 6 nutritional vitamins and dietary supplements which will assist improve feminine lubrication.
1. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that doubles as a disease-fighting antioxidant (2).
Some analysis means that it is also useful for growing lubrication and decreasing vaginal dryness.
In accordance with one research in 52 ladies, utilizing a vitamin E suppository for 12 weeks was discovered to enhance signs of vaginal atrophy, which is a situation characterised by the thinning and dryness of the vaginal partitions (3, 4).
Different research have discovered that suppositories containing vitamin E, together with different substances like hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin D, may enhance signs of vaginal atrophy in ladies present process most cancers remedies (5, 6).
Regardless of these promising outcomes, extra analysis is required to judge how vitamin E taken as an oral complement somewhat than a suppository might have an effect on feminine lubrication.
2. Vitamin D
Typically known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is produced within the pores and skin cells on account of solar publicity (7).
Though vitamin D is most well-known for its function in bone well being, research present that it may additionally assist improve feminine lubrication.
In truth, one overview of six research concluded that each oral vitamin D dietary supplements and suppositories may lower dryness and enhance vaginal well being throughout menopause (8).
One other research in 44 postmenopausal ladies discovered that utilizing a vitamin D suppository every day for 8 weeks considerably decreased vaginal dryness, in contrast with a management group (9).
What’s extra, a research in 200 older ladies additionally confirmed that elevated vitamin D ranges within the blood have been related to enhancements in vaginal moisture and consistency (10).
3. Sea buckthorn oil
Sea buckthorn oil is a pure complement derived from the leaves, seeds, and berries of the ocean buckthorn plant.
It’s wealthy in important fatty acids like linolic acid, which may strengthen the barrier of the pores and skin and shield towards water loss (11).
In a single research in 116 postmenopausal ladies with vaginal dryness, consuming 3 grams of sea buckthorn oil every day for 3 months was linked to important enhancements in vaginal tissue integrity (12).
Girls who used sea buckthorn oil additionally skilled enhancements in vaginal elasticity and moisture than those that used a placebo, though this was not statistically important (12).
Sea buckthorn oil additionally performs a key function in different points of pores and skin well being. It could assist improve wound therapeutic, stimulate tissue regeneration, and improve the making of collagen — a structural protein that offers pores and skin power and elasticity (11).
4. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule produced by the physique and is thought for its function in pores and skin well being and growing old (13).
Though it’s mostly utilized in cosmetics, hyaluronic acid can be out there over-the-counter in complement type.
In accordance with one older research, taking 5 mg of hyaluronic acid sodium salt for 8 weeks improved signs in 42 postmenopausal ladies with vaginal atrophy (14).
One other 2-month research in 28 younger ladies confirmed a complement containing a mix of hyaluronic acid and different substances like glucosamine sulfate, alpha-lipoic acid, and nutritional vitamins A, C, and E improved vaginal dryness (15).
Topical gels and suppositories containing hyaluronic acid have additionally been proven to extend vaginal lubrication when used alone or mixed with different substances like vitamin A and vitamin E (5, 16).
Nonetheless, extra analysis is required to find out how oral supplementation with hyaluronic acid alone might have an effect on feminine lubrication.
5. Fish oil – “vitamin d vaginal dryness”
Fish oil is a complement usually used to extend your consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, a sort of heart-healthy fats discovered primarily in fatty fish (17).
Some analysis means that omega-3 fatty acids could possibly be useful for growing feminine lubrication, particularly throughout menopause.
One older research amongst 52 postmenopausal breast most cancers survivors confirmed that taking 3.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acid every day for six months improved self-reported vaginal dryness (18).
Different research have discovered that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids might improve estrogen ranges, which can additionally assist forestall vaginal dryness (4, 19, 20).
Omega-3 fatty acids have additionally been proven to extend pores and skin hydration and scale back dryness in human and animal research (21, 22).
Nonetheless, additional research are wanted to find out how fish oil might have an effect on feminine lubrication particularly.
6. DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a sort of steroid hormone concerned in estrogen manufacturing (23).
As a result of DHEA manufacturing naturally declines as you become old, it’s generally used as a complement to assist stability hormone ranges and alleviate signs related to menopause (23).
A number of research have additionally discovered that vaginal administration of DHEA may considerably enhance feminine lubrication, scale back dryness, and improve ranges of estrogen in postmenopausal ladies (24, 25, 26).
Whereas analysis on the effectiveness of oral DHEA dietary supplements continues to be minimal, some older research have discovered that it may improve estrogen ranges and improve sexual operate (27, 28).
The underside line
Vaginal dryness can have an effect on ladies at any age, however it’s particularly widespread throughout menopause.
Research recommend that dietary supplements like vitamin E, vitamin D, sea buckthorn oil, hyaluronic acid, fish oil, and DHEA may assist improve vaginal lubrication.
That stated, make sure you discuss along with your healthcare skilled earlier than including any dietary supplements to your routine, particularly when you’ve got some other underlying situations or are taking medicines.
“vitamin d vaginal dryness”