Solutions for Vaginal Dryness and Stopping Gynecological Exams Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Women's Health Solutions for Vaginal Dryness and Stopping Gynecological Exams By Dr. Orli EtinginReviewed: November 27, 2006Fact-CheckedQ1. I'm 37 years old, and I notice that I've been experiencing vaginal dryness for months now. Is there anything I can do to restore the natural moisture? — Bernadette, California There are definitely things you can do. Vaginal dryness is a common condition; it can affect women of all ages, though it most often occurs during and after menopause, when estrogen levels decrease. That's because estrogen is the hormone that enables the vaginal lining to produce mucus and lubrication, and prevents it from thinning — all important defenses against vaginal and urinary tract infections. Besides a decrease in estrogen, possible causes behind your dryness include infection and certain medications; for example, some cold and allergy meds and certain antidepressants can dry out mucous membranes, not only in your nose but in your vagina as well. Another culprit might be douching, which can affect the normal chemical balance in your vagina, leading to vaginitis (inflammation). In addition to dryness, related symptoms include itching, burning, light bleeding during sex, or the feeling that you have to urinate frequently. The first thing to do is to have a thorough gynecologic examination, with blood testing of hormone levels and cultures taken to check for infection. If you do have an infection, effective treatment with antibiotics, either oral or topical, can restore the vaginal lining and the normal pH balance. If you are diagnosed with low hormone levels (which would be unusual in a 37-year-old woman), you can be effectively treated with estrogen supplementation. This is available in several forms including vaginal creams and tablets and the estrogen ring, which is inserted into the upper part of your vagina and replaced about every three months. The solution may be even simpler: Vaginal lubricants, which are sold without a prescription, are safe and effective at restoring vaginal moisture. You can try a water-based lubricant such as K-Y or Astroglide, or a longer-lasting moisturizer such as Replens or Lubrin. However, it's important to first get evaluated for infection and hormonal imbalance since lubricants may mask the underlying cause of your problem. Things to avoid until the dryness goes away: bubble baths, soap, hand lotion, and douching, all of which can irritate your vagina. Good luck. Q2. Does a 68-year-old woman still need to have yearly gynecological exams, or can she have fewer exams as she ages? At what age can you stop having a yearly Pap? If not age, what determines this? Yearly Pap tests are probably no longer necessary in women over 60 who have had three normal Paps in the past three years. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends Paps every other year or every third year in these women, as long as they are sexually monogamous. That said, if you have any history of HPV (human papillomavirus) infections, you will require regular Paps in the future regardless of your age. There is no age cutoff after which a woman can safely discontinue Pap tests. One advantage of the test is that it necessitates a pelvic exam, which includes an examination of the ovaries and uterus. This serves as a good screening tool for problems of the cervix and other reproductive organs. Q3. I'm a 35 year old female without insurance. In 2006, I had four surgeries on my right kidney, and am also becoming a regular at the stone center. I do everything I'm told to do (i.e. lemons, changed diet, standing on my head every day). I'm even on Flomax. When is enough, enough? My other kidney is completely healthy. Is it unreasonable to remove the misbehaving kidney before this bankrupts me? — Amy, New Jersey It sounds like that you are having recurrent kidney stones. These can be extremely challenging, but the concern with removing your kidney is that you could develop a propensity to form stones in the other kidney. Thus, measures to prevent recurrent stone formation are incredibly important in your case. It sounds like you have been advised to consume a lot of lemons because they contain an inhibitor to stone formation, called citrate. One of the fundamentals of stone prevention is consuming large volumes of water to dilute any predisposing factors. A good rule of thumb is to drink enough liquid to produce over 2 liters of urine per 24 hours. And there are numerous tests for both stone composition and urinary chemistry which can help guide medical treatments. I suggest you continue working with your physicians at the stone center. Do ask about tests to check for the composition of your stone, which may suggest new ways to treat them. And I would not recommend removal of your kidney, unless absolutely necessary. Learn more in the Everyday Health Women's Health Center. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Women' s Health Women s Health Worsened in 2021 as Many Women Lack Access to Health Screenings and Preventive Care New global report shows that despite heavy spending, the United States lags behind other wealthy countries.By Becky UphamSeptember 27, 2022 Is This the End of Roe v Wade What Would a SCOTUS Decision Mean for Reproductive Health A draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal right to abortion guaranteed by the 1973 decision in Roe v. 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