Dryness from birth control: Causes & how to fix it

Vaginal dryness is a common condition that affects women of all ages. It’s estimated that more than half of women over age 50 deal with vaginal dryness, while about 17% of women ages 17-50 will experience it at some point in their lives as well. [1]

One of the most common causes of vaginal dryness is hormonal fluctuations, particularly decreases in levels of the estrogen hormone. [1] This means that vaginal dryness can happen to anyone who is pregnant or postpartum, going through puberty or menopause, or has recently started hormonal birth control. 

So, why does this condition happen and how do you fix this dryness from birth control? We’ll answer that question and offer a host of potential treatments you can explore in this article.

How does birth control cause dryness?

Let’s start with the science behind hormonal birth control to understand how it can cause dryness. Most hormonal birth control methods work by altering levels of sex hormones in your body. These include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This process suppresses ovulation and/or thickens your cervical mucus, both of which prevent pregnancy.

While more research is needed to understand the exact mechanism behind why taking hormonal birth control can cause dryness in the body, there are a few leading theories:

1. Estrogen: The estrogen hormone plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s overall hydration, and particularly vaginal lubrication. When estrogen levels drop, secretory glands in the body tend to produce less moisture leading to dryness not only in the vaginal area, but also in the skin and eyes. Triggers for this drop in estrogen may include taking hormonal birth control with placebo weeks, the onset of menopause, or breastfeeding. [1, 2, 3]
2. Testosterone: Hormonal birth control also lowers levels of the hormone testosterone in your body. Vaginal dryness is a symptom of low testosterone, although it’s important to note that there are currently no conclusive guidelines for what is considered “low” testosterone levels in women. [4,5]

It’s important to note that dryness in the body may not be caused by hormonal changes — researchers believe that dehydration, certain cold and allergy medications, antidepressants, and/or excess stress can also cause dry eyes, dry skin, and vaginal dryness. However, hormonal changes tend to be the leading cause of dryness (particularly vaginal). Your doctor can help figure out the root cause of your unique conditions and rule out any other more serious causes for irritation or discomfort. [1] 

Aside from dryness, hormonal contraception can be the root cause of a host of other side effects including headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and low libido (learn more about the side effects of birth control here). While some of these go away after a few months, some can linger and affect your everyday quality of life, like vaginal dryness.

Symptoms of vaginal dryness

You may be experiencing vaginal dryness if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Irritated or inflamed skin in the area
• Itching sensation in and around the vagina and vulva
• Burning sensation on the skin
• Pain or discomfort during sex

It’s important to see your doctor to make sure these symptoms are not an indication of an infection or other condition. They can perform testing to rule this out and make sure you’re getting the proper treatment you need to feel your best. [1,2]

You may also experience dry skin or dry eyes if you’re on hormonal birth control. This would feel like abnormally flakey or rough skin texture on your face and body, or an itching/burning sensation in your eyes, respectively [6,8].

How to fix dryness from birth control

Now that we’ve established how hormonal fluctuations brought on by birth control can cause dryness and some symptoms you should be looking out for, let’s go through some solutions you can explore to find relief. The below treatments may be recommended if you have dryness from hormonal birth control, or caused by something else. Always talk to your doctor before starting a new medication or changing how you use your birth control.

Remedies for vaginal dryness

If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, there are a few natural and hormonal treatment options available:

1. Vaginal moisturizer: Use a specialized vaginal moisturizer to keep the area lubricated and moist. There are two types currently available: external and internal. External vaginal moisturizers are made for the sensitive vulva area. Internal vaginal moisturizers are inserted into the vagina to soothe the vaginal tissue. [3]
2. Unscented soap: Make sure that you’re using a gentle, non-perfumed soap when washing your vulva area. Keep in mind the vagina is self-cleaning and using any soap in this area can upset pH balance and lead to infections that may in turn cause irritation.
3. Water or silicone-based lubricants: If you are sexually active, try using a water or silicone-based lubricant before sex to make it more comfortable. It’s important to note that water-based lubricants typically don’t last as long as silicone-based ones, and you’ll want to skip any oil-based lubricant because they can cause irritation and make condoms less effective. [3]
4. Hormonal treatments: If the above remedies aren’t working for you, talk to your healthcare professional about hormonal treatment options. They may suggest creams, tablets, or a vaginal ring. All of these are inserted directly into the vagina and provide a low dose of estrogen, which should help alleviate the vaginal dryness. [3]

Dry skin on the face and body

If you have itchy, irritated, dry skin on the face and body due to hormonal changes, you can try the following to alleviate it:

1. Mild cleanser: Try a moisturizing, mild, gentle cleanser when washing your face instead of soap. Soap can be extra drying on the skin, and there are milder cleanser formulations available that will be gentle on your skin.
2. Enhanced moisturizers: Applying a high quality moisturizer after bathing and throughout the day whenever your skin is feeling dry can help you feel hydrated and glowy. If you want to take it up a notch, try a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and/or glycerin for an added hydration boost.
3. Sunscreen each day: Wearing sunscreen every single day may seem like overkill, but even slight damage from sun exposure can make your skin more dry than usual. Wearing a high quality SPF will protect your skin barrier from further damage and dryness.
4. Gentle exfoliation: It may help to gently exfoliate the upper layer of dry skin before cleansing and moisturizing. This can be done with a simple washcloth or soft brush. Just remember that if you have sensitive, thin, and/or mature skin, exfoliation can actually do more harm than good, so it may not be necessary. Consult your dermatologist before trying any new skincare methods. [6]

How to relieve dry eyes

Did you know that women are disproportionately affected by dry eye disease? Globally, about 20% of women struggle with dry eyes [7]. If your eyes are feeling dry, here are some of the most common remedies:

1. Lubricating eye drops: Often available over the counter, lubricating eye drops can provide hydration and relief from dry eyes. 
2. Hot compresses: Warm compresses on the eyes can simultaneously relieve inflammation and increase blood flow to the eye area, helping to relieve dry eye symptoms.
3. Artificial tears: Also available over the counter, artificial tears can temporarily lubricate the surface of the eye as a substitute for natural tears.
4. Corticosteroid eye drops: One step up from over-the-counter options, eye drops with corticosteroids can be used temporarily (for about two weeks) to relieve dry eye symptoms. It’s important to consult a doctor before starting this treatment to learn about the potential side effects.
5. Vitamins and herbal supplements: You may also want to try taking vitamin D or herbal supplements like St. John’s wort, ginseng, or evening primrose oil to help alleviate dry eye symptoms. [8]

As always, you should consult your doctor before trying any new course of medication or treatment. They can help you choose the best course of action based on your medical history, lifestyle, current medications, and other factors that may be affecting your hormone levels and the dryness associated with it.

Birth control alternatives

If you’re experiencing dryness or any other uncomfortable hormonal side effects of birth control, you may also want to explore switching birth control methods. We always recommend consulting with your doctor to see what options will be right for you, but there are plenty of non-hormonal birth control methods available that work with your natural hormones and still prevent pregnancy. Some of these include:

• Natural Cycles: The first FDA Cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles uses the science of body temperature to learn the pattern of your cycle and notifies you when you’re fertile and when you’re not. 
• Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs): The most effective form of non-hormonal birth control, copper IUDs prevent pregnancy by creating a hostile environment in the uterus. Keep in mind they can cause other side effects like heavier periods. 
• Condoms: Your best choice of birth control when it comes to preventing STIs, condoms are a barrier method and can be easily purchased in most shops or online.
• Cervical caps and diaphragms: Another barrier method, use alongside spermicide to boost these non-hormonal birth control methods’ effectiveness. 

If the side effects of hormonal birth control are affecting the quality of your everyday life, consider one of the options above instead.

Skip the side effects with Natural Cycles

Natural Cycles is an FDA Cleared, non-hormonal birth control method that works with you to prevent (or plan) pregnancy, log monthly symptoms to see if patterns emerge, and provide resources to help you take control of your health. See if Natural Cycles is something you’d like to explore today.