Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid for Vaginal Dryness?

You may have heard of the benefits of using hyaluronic acid in your skincare, but did you know you can also use hyaluronic acid for vaginal dryness? Not only can it keep the skin on your face plump and hydrated, but it can also do wonders for vaginal tissues.

Vaginal dryness can affect women at any age, but it’s most common in perimenopause and menopause. As you approach menopause, your body starts producing less and less estrogen. Estrogen is vital for vaginal health because it keeps the vaginal mucosa thick, elastic, and lubricated. 

Reduced estrogen levels can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, including vaginal atrophy, burning, irritation, and pain during sex — collectively called genitourinary syndrome in menopause (GSM). Research shows that around 65-84% of women going through menopause experience GSM. Women can experience estrogen deficiency at other points in their life as well, for example when breastfeeding or undergoing cancer therapy.

So, how can hyaluronic acid help? Keep reading to learn more. 

What is hyaluronic acid? 

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance produced by the body. It’s found in your joints, eyes, and more importantly, skin. It’s gooey and slippery and acts like a natural lubricant. It’s also a humectant, which means it binds to water to help your skin retain moisture — that’s why it’s so common in hydrating skincare products. 

When applied internally to the vagina, hyaluronic acid works by sticking to the vaginal epithelial cells and retaining water, which both hydrates and protects the vaginal epithelial cells. 

Treatments for vaginal dryness

Topical treatments for genitourinary syndrome of menopause include vaginal estrogen and hormone-free vaginal moisturizers — including ones containing hyaluronic acid. 

Vaginal estrogen and vaginal moisturizers work differently to treat vaginal dryness. Vaginal estrogen is designed to release a low dose of estrogen directly into the vaginal blood supply, while a vaginal moisturizer (many of which contain hyaluronic acid) rehydrates the vaginal tissues and protects them from friction and inflammation. 

Vaginal moisturizers come in the form of a suppository or a gel that you can insert with an applicator. These moisturizers are specially designed to stick to your vaginal tissue for several days, providing long-lasting hydration and comfort. You can use a vaginal moisturizer regularly, whether you're planning to have sex or not. They're not to be confused with lube, which you use during sex and only provide temporary relief — although everyone, including non-menopausal women, would benefit from using lube!

What does hyaluronic acid do for menopause?

Research has shown that hyaluronic acid can be a great alternative to vaginal estrogen therapy. While admittedly there aren't a ton of studies on hyaluronic acid for vaginal dryness, recent evidence has found that applying it directly to the vagina can provide relief from dryness and irritation and performs well compared to low-dose vaginal estrogen. It’s also a great alternative for women who don’t want to take vaginal estrogen or hormones. 

According to a systematic review of nine studies, hyaluronic acid was found to be beneficial for postmenopausal women suffering from vaginal dryness, and all nine studies reported an improvement in vaginal dryness, itching, and sexual function. In addition, six studies showed an improvement in vaginal burning.

Hyaluronic acid has also been shown to improve vaginal dryness and pain during sex in women undergoing cancer treatment who can't take estrogen therapy. 

There hasn't been any research conducted yet on the effects of hyaluronic acid on the vaginal microbiome. So, we can't say for sure whether it can help replenish the levels of Lactobacilli in the vagina, which tend to decrease in menopause. Additionally, we can't be certain that hyaluronic acid can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections or vaginal infections, unlike estrogen. 

That said, vaginal moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid are specifically formulated to go inside the vagina, so it’s unlikely that they’ll alter your vaginal pH. If you’re dealing with vaginal dryness, speak to your healthcare provider about the best course of action, and whether hyaluronic acid might be a good solution for you.