What Is The Difference Between Lubricants And Moisturizers To Treat Vaginal Dryness?

Many women getting close to menopause usually experience vaginal dryness due to dropping estrogen levels. Also, according to recent research, approximately 20% of women between 42 to 53 years experience vaginal dryness at some point. However, what exactly is vaginal dryness? 

Vaginal dryness is a common menopause symptom, which results in itching, burning, or lack of lubrication during sexual intercourse that induces pain or discomfort. Moreover, this dryness can be why you and your partner might not enjoy your sexual acts. So what can you do? 

Luckily, vaginal moisturizers and vaginal lube or lubricants can restore your vaginal moisture. Now, you might think that vaginal moisturizer and vaginal lube are the same, but they are not. Both these products are designed for different purposes, and it is crucial to know the difference between the two to make a wise purchasing decision.

So let's dive into it, shall we?

What precisely is a vaginal moisturizer?

Just like your face and body's health deteriorates with age, your vaginal skin also becomes dry. Be it chronic vaginal dryness that gets induced by natural hormonal changes during menopause, the abnormal hormonal changes during cancer treatment, or an autoimmune disease such as Sjogren's, it can affect your sexual life. 

If your face looked tight and tender, you would get a smoothening moisturizer and use it as frequently as you required to make your skin calm and supple. It is what a vaginal moisturizer exactly does for your vagina. Also, when applied externally, vaginal moisturizers help reduce burning, itching, and inflammation. 

In addition, note that while some vaginal moisturizers do not need a doctor's supervision, you need to consult your healthcare provider before using a vaginal moisturizer as it might have some elements that might not be suitable for your skin. 

Moreover, to get that perfect vaginal moisture, it is advisable to choose a moisturizer that does not contain any induced hormone supplements or Paraben. Instead, you should pick one that contains vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. 

Hyaluronic acid is an element your body produces naturally, though the production reduces as you age. Also, as this hyaluronic acid attracts water, it's naturally hydrating and plumping, making it a transcendent vaginal moisturizer.  

In addition, vitamin E holds properties that nourish and protect the skin. It is a potent antioxidant that remains efficient in reducing inflammation and restoring your skin's moisture.

What exactly is a vaginal lubricant?

Unlike vaginal moisturizers, you cannot use vaginal lubricants daily. Instead, you can only use them during your sexual activities. These vaginal lubricants can be oil-based, water-based, or silicone-based. Also, while some vaginal lube smell and taste like fruit, others might have a cooling or warming effect. 

In addition, notwithstanding the ingredients, vaginal lubricants usually decrease the friction between two body parts or a sex toy and a body part. Moreover, a vaginal lubricant can help overcome the pain and sexual discomfort associated with vaginal dryness and atrophy during sex. 

However, this lube will not do anything to give you a long-standing relief for health issues related to hormonal variations during menopause or diseases that cause vaginal dryness. 

Understanding the difference between the vaginal lubricant and moisturizer to treat vaginal dryness

When speaking of the difference between a vaginal lubricant and moisturizer, you can apply a vaginal lubricant on your vagina, sex toys, or on the penis during sexual intercourse to ease the penetration and elevate your sexual experience. Also, these vaginal lubricants come in water-oil-or silicone-based types or a combination of the two and have different densities from thick to thin. 

However, note that you must avoid using oil-based lubricants or products such as petroleum jelly as it can disrupt your vaginal pH balance and break condoms. Moreover, if you use a female condom, ensure choosing a lubricant that remains compatible with your condom.

In addition, vaginal lubes usually serve you for a few hours, and you should choose a vaginal lubricant depending on the sexual activity or positions you have in mind. On the other hand, vaginal moisturizers keep your vaginal muscles moist. 

Also, like the nourishing products you apply to your skin, you can use these vaginal moisturizers every day or every two to three days. However, note that you should always choose natural, chemical-free moisturizers that do not harm your delicate vaginal skin. 

Moreover, depending on your level of vaginal dryness, you might require both a vaginal lubricant and moisturizer to maintain your vaginal membrane moisture and enhance your pleasure during sex.

To sum up, we can say that vaginal lubricants and moisturizers are exceptional options to treat vaginal dryness. If you are looking for a natural vaginal suppository to keep the moisture in your intimate areas intact, Millennial Naturals can be your go-to place. At Millennial Naturals, we provide you with organic and non-harmful vaginal lubricants and moisturizers that can give you a soothing relief from your vaginal dryness.