It often starts quietly. You know, a little irritation here. Some discomfort during sex there. Maybe a lingering itch that feels more “off” than urgent. For millions of women (about 17 percent of the population!) vaginal dryness isn’t just a menopause thing. It turns out, it’s just a life thing. It can begin as early as your 20s and stick around for decades, rarely talked about and most often, misunderstood.
“While common, vaginal dryness and discomfort are treatable symptoms that significantly impact quality of life,” Dr. Shyama Mathews, a board certified gynecologist says, “And it doesn’t just affect older women: It can affect women of all ages, for various common reasons.”
But, in our opinion, too many women go it alone. According to one Harvard study, out of postmenopausal women who experience vaginal dryness, as much as 90 percent of these women don't seek treatment.
At Playground, we believe better intimate health starts with better conversations. That’s why we spoke with real women at different life stages about their experiences with vaginal dryness — what they wish they knew earlier, how they’ve coped, and why more of us need to break the silence.
Let’s dive into their stories and the science behind why vaginal dryness happens (and what you can do about it, below!)
What causes vaginal dryness?
Let’s get clinical for a moment. Vaginal dryness is often a symptom of vaginal atrophy, which happens when the vaginal walls thin and lose moisture and elasticity — usually because of decreased estrogen levels.
Estrogen is what helps maintain your vaginal tissue health, lubrication, and pH balance. But when levels drop, the mucous membrane in the vagina becomes less supple, leading to symptoms like:
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Dryness
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Irritation or burning
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Pain during sex (also called dyspareunia)
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Increased urinary tract infections
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Reduced vaginal elasticity and tightness
While menopause is a major factor, it’s far from the only one. Vaginal dryness can also be triggered by:
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Birth control pills
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Breastfeeding and postpartum hormone shifts
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Cancer treatments (like chemotherapy or hormone blockers)
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SSRIs and other medications
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Chronic stress
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Autoimmune conditions
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Simply… being a woman with a unique hormonal makeup
“Instead of waiting for problems to arise (often severe dryness or pain), a proactive approach encourages women to be aware of their bodies, address subtle changes, and maintain health throughout their lives,” Dr. Shyama says.
In short: if you’re experiencing dryness, you’re not broken. You’re not “too young” or “too old.” And you’re definitely not alone!
Vaginal dryness stories: What women told us
1. Ashley*, 43 — Breast cancer survivor
“When my oncologist said no hormone treatments, I panicked. Sex had already become painful, and I felt like I was losing parts of myself. I didn’t even know there were non-hormonal options.”
For cancer survivors, hormone-free treatments aren’t just a preference — they’re often a necessity. Ashley’s story underscores how vital it is for vaginal care products to be safe, non-hormonal, and doctor-recommended.
2. Lana*, 27 — Postpartum
“I had my son and thought things would go back to normal down there. Instead, sex was dry, tight, and uncomfortable. I never realized how much postpartum hormones could affect lubrication. No one warned me.”
Lana’s story is far too common. Postpartum vaginal dryness can last for months (or longer), especially if you're breastfeeding. Estrogen dips during this period, leaving many new moms shocked at the shift in their intimate lives.
3. Jeanne*, 46 — Perimenopausal
“I was just recently told I was in perimenopause, but I have been having the symptoms since I was in my mid-30s and I am 46 years old. The hot flashes are disrespectful and constant. I'm moody and my patience is thin. I also suffer from vaginal dryness. I don't enjoy masturbating because of it. At times, I feel like I am going crazy.”
Jeanne’s early signs of menopause weren’t dramatic hot flashes, though — she said they started as subtle, tiny irritations that impacted her day-to-day confidence and intimacy.
“As women approach perimenopause (often starting in their 40s), estrogen levels begin to fluctuate and gradually decline,” Dr. Shyama explains, “This might involve discussing symptoms with a healthcare provider and considering lifestyle changes or non-hormonal supportive therapies.”
4. Kourtney*, 34 — Chronic SSRI user
“I’ve been on antidepressants for years, and I always thought my lowered libido was just the meds. But I’ve been off antidepressants for 7 months now, and my numbness has become significantly better, but I’m still suffering vaginal dryness and low clitoris sensation,”
Mental health medications like SSRIs are lifesaving, but they can sometimes come with intimate side effects that often get overlooked. Vaginal dryness can sneak in here too, making conversations with healthcare providers even more essential.
5. Sawyer*, 18 — A teen
“I am 18 years old and experiencing pretty extreme vaginal dryness. It makes sex painful and it’s causing me major self-esteem issues around anything bedroom-related. I am not on any birth control and it’s still embarrassing to have to come to that reality at 18 when I have had barely any bedroom experience.”
Experiencing vaginal dryness at this stage can feel isolating, but it’s more common than you might think, and there are ways to approach it that can address the root cause!
Why No One Talks About It (But Should)
Here’s our take: The silence around vaginal dryness isn’t just awkward, it’s harmful. When women don’t talk about it, they often assume it’s just part of getting older (or new motherhood.) They might even avoid intimacy or feel ashamed.
But if we don’t talk about it, we miss opportunities for early intervention and treatment.
“By reframing vaginal care as part of every day wellness, we can normalize discussions around vaginal health, breaking down the shame and embarrassment that prevent women from seeking care,” Dr. Shyama says.
100% of women will experience vaginal dryness or discomfort at some point in their lives. It’s not shameful. It’s biology. And luckily, it’s treatable.
Non-hormonal treatment for vaginal dryness: What works?
For decades, the go-to options for vaginal dryness were limited to estrogen creams or hormonal rings that felt like a temporary fix.
That’s where Miracle Melts come in.
Meet Miracle Melts: The gold standard hydrator
Miracle Melts are deeply hydrating, hormone-free vaginal suppositories powered by medical-grade hyaluronic acid — a molecule that binds up to 1,000x its weight in water. These gentle inserts:
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Deliver rapid relief from dryness and irritation
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Hydrate and restore vaginal tissue over time
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Promote comfort during intimacy
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Support vaginal healing, elasticity, and overall confidence
They work by mimicking the body’s natural hydration processes—without the need for hormones. That makes them safe for breast cancer survivors, postpartum parents, women with hormone sensitivities or anyone experiencing dryness and wanting a consistent, effective solution.
Real results, backed by science
Clinical studies have shown that hyaluronic acid can reduce dryness, itching, and irritation, as well as improve vaginal elasticity. It can even help regenerate vaginal tissue!
In fact, 84% of women using hyaluronic acid vaginal inserts reported significant improvement in vaginal dryness, with many also seeing benefits in intimacy and daily comfort.
What these women wish they knew sooner
Whether it’s postpartum, post-cancer, or perimenopause, vaginal dryness deserves more awareness, more education, and more compassion. And for these women (and many more who haven’t yet shared their struggles), here’s what we know:
“I wish someone told me I didn’t have to suffer through this,” or “I wish I’d known vaginal dryness could start before menopause,” and the biggest of all, “I wish I didn’t wait so long to ask for help.”
You shouldn’t have to “just deal with it.” Your body, your comfort, and your pleasure are worth caring for.
Reclaim intimacy. Reclaim comfort. Reclaim you.
Miracle Melts are available now, offering an easy, effective, and empowering way to treat vaginal dryness—at any age, and for any reason.
You’re not alone in this, and with us around, and you never were.
