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Natural remedies to ease vaginal dryness in Sjögren’s Syndrome


Natural remedies to ease vaginal dryness in Sjögren’s Syndrome

There are many causes of vaginal dryness, including Sjögren’s Syndrome.

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder which causes symptoms such as dryness in the mouth, throat, eyes, and skin, as well as the vagina.

Read on to find out more about what Sjögren’s Syndrome is, the symptoms it can cause, and which natural remedies can help.

What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome is a condition that affects parts of the body that produce fluids, such as tears and saliva [1]. This autoimmune disease affects the entire body, with symptoms including excessive dryness, as well as other potentially serious complications such as extreme fatigue, chronic pain, neuropathies, and lymphomas [2].

The disease causes the immune system to attack healthy cells rather than invading bacteria or viruses. Rather than protecting the body from germs, the white blood cells attack the glands that are responsible for producing moisture in the body. When this happens, the glands can’t produce tears or saliva, so the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body dry out.

Vaginal dryness is another common symptom of Sjögren’s Syndrome.

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Sjögren’s Syndrome symptoms

The symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome vary from person to person, however the most common symptoms include:

  • Dry eyes
  • A dry mouth
  • Dry skin
  • Tiredness
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Swelling between the jaw and ears
  • Chronic dry cough
  • Rashes (particularly after sun exposure) [3]

For some sufferers, symptoms will remain steady, while for others they will worsen over time.

Natural remedies to ease vaginal dryness

The vaginal dryness caused by Sjögren’s Syndrome can lead to soreness or itching around the vagina, pain or discomfort during sex, the urge to urinate more frequently, and regular UTIs [4].

If you have been diagnosed with Sjögren’s Syndrome, there are several natural remedies that can help ease vaginal dryness.

Regular sexual activity

Regular sexual stimulation, whether it’s alone or with a partner, can improve the overall health of your vagina by increasing blood flow and vaginal secretions to relieve vaginal dryness [5].

Coconut oil

Coconut oil acts as a natural cleaner, hydrator, and moisturizer. However, it’s important to ensure that you only use this natural oil as a moisturizer and not a lubricant as it can damage condoms [6].

Aloe vera

With its strong medicinal and moisturizing properties, aloe vera is known to support healthy skin renewal in all parts of the body, including the vagina. Applying aloe vera gel to the area can help ease the vaginal dryness caused by Sjögren’s Syndrome.

Vitamin E suppositories

Vitamin E suppositories have been shown to increase lubrication and reduce vaginal dryness [7].

Vitamin D

Although vitamin D is best known for its central role in bone health, some studies have shown [8] that oral supplements and suppositories can help to decrease vaginal dryness and improve vaginal health.

Diet and exercise

As with many conditions, a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise routine can help with overall vaginal health. Diet can provide the nutrients and vitamins your body needs while exercise can improve blood flow.

Water based lubricants

Applied before sexual intercourse, water-based lubricants can help to moisturize the vaginal area and relieve any pain or discomfort caused by vaginal dryness. Make sure you choose a lubricant that is free from glycerine, as this can cause increased irritation [9].

References:

  1.  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sjogrens-syndrome/
  2. https://www.sjogrens.org/
  3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sjogrens-syndrome/
  4. https://sjogrenssyndromenews.com/2020/02/06/tips-for-dealing-with-vaginal-dryness-in-sjogrens-syndrome/
  5. https://www.webmd.com/women/remedies-vaginal-dryness
  6. https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/vaginal-atrophy-natural-remedies
  7. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamins-to-increase-female-lubrication#1.-Vitamin-E
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6952708/
  9. https://www.webmd.com/women/remedies-vaginal-dryness