Dry Down There All of a Sudden? 11 Ways to Go from Parched to Peachy

You may have noticed some change in your vagina, wondering why you're dry down there all of a sudden. It's not as uncommon as you think.

There's this myth about vaginas that every woman walks around with a wet vagina. Listen, that's not how things work. And if it feels like you're dry down there all of a sudden, you may be suffering from vaginal dryness. But you know what, it's a widespread condition.

I understand this isn't something you want to talk about with your parents or friends. It can feel like an awkward and embarrassing topic to bring up. But just because it's not the main topic of discussion at Christmas dinner doesn't mean it's not serious.

Your vagina is a reproductive organ which means you need to keep it in tip-top shape if you want to have children in the future or just a happy vagina.

11 reasons why it's dry down there all of a sudden

Vaginal dryness is a common condition. Usually, vaginal dryness is associated with menopause, but menstruating women also experience vaginal dryness. So, women of all ages are experiencing an uncomfortable dryness in their vagina. Yay! You're not alone.

Before you think you're the only one and stare at your vagina with frustration, it's important to know the root causes of vaginal dryness. That way, you can figure out the right treatment to reduce the dryness. No one wants a dry vagina, so let's fix it!

#1 Are you on birth control? Ding, ding, ding! Vaginal dryness is a major side effect of birth control. If you just started taking birth control and notice your vagina is drier than usual, this is the reason why.

Birth control is known for reducing vaginal lubrication. If this is the reason, the only thing you can do is either find a different contraceptive or use lubricant.

#2 Lack of arousal. Your dry vagina could be because of many reasons, did you ever think it was because you lack arousal in the bedroom? When aroused, the vagina is supposed to self-lubricate so that the penis can enter inside the vagina. If this is the case, the solution is easy. Spice up the action!

#3 You're stressed out. Yeah, stress is a killer. Not only can stress make you physically ill and anxious, but it can also dry out your vagina. The human body is crazy, right? But why does stress affect the vagina in this way? Well, when a woman is stressed out, it reduces the blood flow to the vagina; hence, the vagina dries itself out. If you're stressing out, find ways to cope by doing yoga, meditation, or going on walks.

#4 Stop smoking and drinking. This doesn't mean you have, but if you're a heavy drinker, you'll want to ease up on the booze. If you want a healthy and happy vagina, smoking and drinking aren't going to help you out. Cigarettes decrease circulation while drinking decreases your sensations which create dryness.

#5 Is it allergy season? Weird, right? Well, if it's allergy season and you see your vagina drying out, it's because of the allergy and cold medication you're taking. Allergy medication contains antihistamines which dry out mucus in your sinuses and vagina. Vaginal dryness is actually a common side-effect, though it's usually not written on the bottle.

#6 It's because of the douche. No, not the guy you're seeing right now, I'm talking about douching. You may think it's old school, but it's more common than you think. In the United States alone, approximately one in four women douche between the ages of 15 to 44. You may think it's cleaning your vagina, but in reality, it's just causing it to dry out.

#7 You've had a baby. If you've had a baby, someone probably told you how your vagina is different after birth. Well, they were right. A pregnant woman just spent nine months of hormone overload and during the birth, released fluids she's had inside of her throughout the pregnancy. And it's because of this that vaginal dryness occurs.

#8 During menstruation. Women have a lot to deal with, right? It's like it never ends. You can also have vaginal dryness during menstruation. This is because of the decrease in hormones during this time. If you're having your period and drier than usual, it's okay.

#9 You're working out too much. There's a difference between a healthy level of physical activity and when you're going overboard. If you're working out six hours a day, this is strenuous. Now, if you're working out strenuously, be warned that your vagina is going to pay the price. Think “everything in moderation.”

#10 You're in menopause mode. If you're over the age of fifty, your body is preparing for menopause by reducing the production of hormones in your body. When you enter menopause, you'll experience your vagina's sensitivity, lubrication, and elasticity change. If your vagina isn't producing lubrication, your vagina will feel dry.

#11 You're allergic to your soap. You definitely didn't expect to read this. Douching? Fine. But because of soap? Well, it's true. Harsh chemicals can be very aggressive in the vagina which causes many problems. Change to a natural body soap that won't aggravate the vagina.

Vaginal dryness is no joke. Okay, there are plenty of jokes about it, but seriously it's uncomfortable. Find out why it's dry down there all of a sudden and get her back to normal.