What Can I Do About Severe Vaginal Dryness When I Am On Birth Control Pills To Manage Irregular Periods?

Posted on Fri, 7 Sep 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 7 Sep 2018 Answered on

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having a problem for about a year and half now when I am going to have intercourse, I cannot get as lubricated as I used to. I have seen a doctor for it and she suggested I go off of birth control for a month. That helped a little but my period was irregular and my acne got bad so I went back on the pill. I know that vaginal dryness can be a symptom of birth control. It is not a psychological aspect because I am very much attracted to my partner. It has come now to the point where my partner has friction burn on his penis that will not heal and is making us have to obtain from having intercourse. I want to know what is going on and if there are other options I can do to help with my situation. Before this year and a half of having this problem, I was getting sufficiently lubricated and at times in my opinion overly lubricated.

Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can try estrogen creams.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

A drop in estrogen level is the common cause of vaginal dryness. Other conditions like infections and endometriosis can also cause this condition. Lack of stimulation and other rare disorders like Sjogren can also cause this but not in your case.

As a first line management you can apply estrogen creams for symptomatic relief. Estrace and Premarin are popular brands. You can use an applicator to get the cream into your vagina.
You can also use vaginal tablets like Vagifem.

Certain birth control pills can also cause this condition, you can use progesterone only pills( POP) in place of combined pills.
If symptoms persist despite all these, you can consult a gynecologist and get evaluated.

Wishing you good health.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy