4 Steps to Ease Intimate Dryness Before Period

Step #0: Identify the cause of your intimate dryness

If you're reading this article, it's probably because you've identified that you typically experience vaginal dryness after ovulation/around your period. As we mentioned in the introduction, this is not only possible, but also quite common and completely benign—albeit very unpleasant. This is due to the drop in estrogen in the body after ovulation and the rise in progesterone; while this fluctuation is natural, it can be difficult for your body to manage, depending on your cycle.

That being said, it should not be overlooked that intimate dryness can be linked to other factors , such as:

• poor hygiene practices (a lack of hygiene and, conversely, excessive hygiene can cause disruptions in the vaginal flora);

• perimenopause / intimate dryness at menopause ;

• vaginitis, vaginosis or more broadly a sexually transmitted infection.

It's essential to rule out these various causes before attempting to treat your intimate dryness by following these steps. Indeed, if your intimate dryness isn't related to your menstrual cycle but rather to one of the causes above, you may not be able to get rid of it.

How can I check if it is related to my cycle?

A good way to check if your vaginal dryness is related to your cycle is to track your cycle and note the symptoms you experience during your cycles. To do this, we recommend using a period tracking app , like Clue or Flow, and annotating your cycle. This way, you can quickly see if your vaginal lubrication is related—or not—to a specific time in your cycle.

It's related to my cycle... but why now?

Most women menstruate between the ages of 15 and 45. So why do premenstrual symptoms only occur at ages 27 or 32? While hormonal fluctuations seem to be a preferred route, it is unfortunately difficult to explain and predict, just as it is difficult to explain why some menstrual cycles are more painful than others, for example. However, it seems “normal” for symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome to evolve over time and with cycles. Also, even if you have never experienced vaginal dryness before your period, it is possible that you experience this problem “late on,” after several years. Also, note that vaginal dryness is a common problem during perimenopause and menopause: if you experience vaginal dryness after the age of 35, it may be worth consulting a doctor for their opinion.

Step #1: Rebalance your vaginal flora

Once you're sure your vaginal dryness is related to your menstrual cycle, the first step in treating it is to rebalance your vaginal flora. This is the first step because it's the action that will take the longest to take effect—usually 3 months.

The idea here is that regulating hormones with dietary supplements is not currently possible. However, it is possible to mitigate the effects of a lack of these hormones on our bodies by taking dietary supplements. By regularly taking a combination of prebiotics and probiotics, you will promote the good health of your intimate flora and thus promote the overall lubrication of your vagina.

🌈 At Gapianne, we strongly encourage you to discover the MiYé probiotic intimate and intestinal flora treatment. Composed of a complex of probiotics, it restores and maintains the balance of vaginal and intestinal flora. Made in a French laboratory 🇫🇷 and vegan 🌱, this treatment should be taken for three months at a rate of 2 capsules per day.

I want this probiotic cure - Miyé

Step #2: Promote good hygiene practices

Good hygiene practices are essential to prevent vaginal flora imbalance and limit vaginal dryness. Too little hygiene can be harmful, while overly aggressive practices can be detrimental to your intimate health. Here are some rules to remember to promote good hygiene:

• Wash your intimate area daily, once a day maximum , with clear water or a pH-neutral soap. 🌈 At Gapianne, we have two different favorites for your intimate hygiene:

• The intimate cleansing bar - Baûbo is, as its name suggests, a solid soap-free cleansing bar. We love its 100% natural composition 🌱 which contains Calybiota® Bio, a new natural prebiotic active ingredient based on red kapok flowers that rebalances the microbiota of the intimate flora. As a bonus, this product is zero waste to also respect the planet 🌍!
  

I want this organic intimate cleansing bar - Baûbo

• Wumi's soap-free intimate cleansing gel is particularly pleasant for feeling fresh without damaging your intimate area. It is very soft and delicately lathers, allowing you to gently cleanse your vulva and anus. Made in France 🇫🇷, 100% natural and vegan 🌱, it is as respectful of your intimate area as it is of the environment.
  

I want this intimate cleansing gel - Wumi

• If you prefer to use a glove to clean yourself, change your glove daily , do not use it more than once: bacteria accumulate and develop on the fabric while it dries;

• Avoid wearing your menstrual protection (tampons, cups, menstrual pads or menstrual panties) for too long: the wearing time for each of these protections differs, respect the time indicated by the manufacturer. Exceeding the indicated time can lead to the growth of bacteria and unbalance your vaginal flora;

• Ban douching : Inserting water directly into your vagina can disrupt your vaginal flora. This practice should be avoided at all costs!

• Avoid using scented products near your vulva . Similarly, inserting scented products into your vagina or cleaning your intimate area with scented products can increase the imbalance of your vaginal flora and cause vaginal dryness and discomfort.

Step #3: Moisturize your vulva

After getting out of the shower, you may be in the habit of applying cream to your face, body, hands, and feet. But do you also apply cream to your vulva ? Well, maybe you should start! 😉 This practice will help you alleviate the minor discomforts you feel, particularly due to underwear that is too irritating (ouch, the poorly placed seam) or poorly lubricated sexual intercourse.

🌈 At Gapianne, we unhesitatingly recommend the Baûbo vulva care balm . Made with a variety of oils (coconut, jojoba, avocado), its formula has been gynecologically tested to moisturize the vulvar mucosa. Very oily and moisturizing, it envelops your intimate area and protects it from discomfort. Made in France 🇫🇷, organic and vegan 🌱, we love its values.

I want this Baubo balm

Step #4: Prevent during sex

Last but not least: use lubricant when using sex toys and during sexual intercourse. Intimate dryness is particularly unpleasant in this context: not only are you likely to experience pain during intercourse, but friction can also cause lesions that will cause pain in the long run.

🌈 If you suffer from intimate dryness, we recommend My Lubie Water-Based Lubricant . Water-based 💦, vegan, and 100% natural, it will protect your intimate area without disrupting it—unlike lubricants with latex, oil, or CBD. As a bonus, water-based lubricants are compatible with medical-grade silicone sex toys.