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Email a friendOlive Oil Combats Vaginal Dryness
Newspaper Columns, Herb & Home Remedy Q&A July 4, 2007
Q. I’ve read that olive oil can be used for vaginal dryness. I couldn’t tell if I should include olive oil in my diet or actually apply it directly to the vagina.
A. This remedy calls for topical application of olive oil to the vagina. It seems to lubricate those dry tissues. Here is what one reader reported: “I have been using olive oil for this purpose for a couple of years. When my doctor did a pelvic exam, he thought I was taking hormones although I am not. I think olive oil has natural vitamin E to keep women youthful.”
Another natural option comes from New Zealand and contains kiwi vine extract. The product is called SYLK and is available on the Web (www.sylkusa.com) or at (866) 831-2920.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
© 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Reader Comments
Doctor wanted me on Premarin cream, and I opted against it. I took hormones for 10 months, and had to stop, and I then had a breast cyst that was because of taking these hormones. I am now having problems because of the dryness, and do not know what to do, and I refuse to start again on anything that pertains to hormones. Is olive oil safe?
Posted by: J Green | July 6, 2007 11:17 PM
I am a breast cancer survivor who has been taking an AI for over a year & now have extreme vaginal dryness. I will check out the Sylk site, but would like to know what type olive oil (lite? extra virgin?or makes no differnce)
& how often should it be used? Thx for this good info! The only product my doctors offered is Replens - it does not help much if at all & is rather costly.
Posted by: Karen B | July 7, 2007 5:12 PM
Olive oil has a distinctive smell. Wouldn't people notice?
M Pierce
Posted by: Marie Pierce | July 8, 2007 1:00 AM
The "extra light" has very little odor. A test of that is to apply to the hands like using lotion. After the skin absorbs it, sniff the hands. Very little, if any, smell residue.
Posted by: Karen B | July 8, 2007 5:24 PM
I am also a breast cancer survivor and i started using Vitamin E about four days ago and i find it has helped me with my vaginal dryness and atrophy. I use the vitamin E vaginaly.I have tried other things but this seems to work the best i have never tried olive oil.
Posted by: charlene | July 12, 2007 5:33 PM
Have just recently read in one of the cancer publications re Vit. E, but no one has mentioned where to purchase or in what form???? I did look at Vit E oil in one drug store but it had other ingredients that I am not sure about. How about using the capsules by cutting the end off to get to the liquid? Might take a lot of capsules.....Charlene what form do you use??? I am currently trying the olive oil & find some relief & wonder about adding Vit E to it.. hmmmmm.
Posted by: Karen B | July 13, 2007 9:10 PM
Karen i use Vit E 400 ut twice a day. All i do is get the regular vit e they look clear with the gel inside and i use a needle to poke two holes in one capsule and then i insert the capsule in myself vaginaly. Your body heat makes it melt and it has helped me alot.
i do this morning and evening for one week and then i was told after that i should use it just twice a week. if you find that twice a week is not enough then you can go back to the twice a day schedule. there is nothing in the vit E that will hurt you. This is the only thing that has helped me.
Posted by: charlene | July 15, 2007 6:39 PM