Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Can You Use Coconut Oil to Ease Vaginal Dryness?

Many older women report success in using coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness after menopause. It is inexpensive and easy to apply.

Say “menopause” and most people will immediately think of hot flashes. While they certainly can be disturbing, there are many other symptoms that women may find equally troublesome. One is vaginal discomfort, which can make intimate relations unpleasant or even painful. Doctors frequently prescribe estrogen, either oral or topical, to help with this problem (Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, May 2019). Others may choose to prescribe ospemifene (Osphena). The research shows that this pill works well to relieve pain during intercourse, although it can lead to some undesirable side effects (Journal of Menopausal Medicine, April 2018). Women sometimes prefer to use topical hyaluronic acid when they wish to avoid hormones and their potential side effects. We have heard from women who report that they use olive oil or coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness. Is that a reasonable approach?

Using Coconut Oil to Ease Vaginal Dryness:

Q. I am of a certain age and have been dealing with vaginal dryness. My gynecologist recommended using coconut oil.

She suggested freezing the coconut oil and using a small melon-baller to create little globes of it. I keep a supply of these in the freezer. Usually one half of a ball is adequate to keep delicate tissues moisturized and comfortable.

A. As far as we can tell, there has not been a scientific study of coconut oil to treat vaginal dryness (atrophic vaginitis). Nevertheless, many readers share your enthusiasm for coconut oil as a lubricant.

One Word of Caution:

Latex condoms may break down in the presence of oils, including coconut oil. What’s more, some people may be sensitive to this natural product. Dermatologists often recommend patch testing any topical treatment by placing a dab on the inside of the forearm. Cover with a bandage and check 24 hours later to see if there is a reaction.

Other Readers Discuss Coconut Oil to Ease Vaginal Dryness:

Q. You have had questions about vaginal dryness from women who are past menopause. I am well past it myself. At 87, I consider myself a crone.

Coconut oil works for me. It doesn’t have the side effects that estrogen, oral or topical, can present. Plus it is cheap and available over the counter. You should suggest it for your readers.

A. Many women agree with you that they find it easy and helpful to use coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness. They apply it intravaginally, just as other women might apply estrogen cream.

Deborah reported:

“My husband and I have been using organic coconut oil for several years with no problems. It is much better than any other lubricant we have tried. Although it could go rancid, we usually have the jar for a year or more at room temp without any problems. It also works well as a lotion for very dry skin.”

Karla made another suggestion, based on her experience:

“I’ve been post menopausal for over 40 years due to a total hysterectomy. About 2 years ago, my doctor diagnosed me with Atrophic Vaginitis because of the horrible burning.

“My daughter is a distributor for natural oils, and she recommended that I try coconut oil. Love it! It works better than Premarin. I put it in a vaginal applicator and then freeze it. Amazon sells vaginal applicators but drug stores don’t.”

Will Sea Buckthorn Work Against Vaginal Dryness?

We heard from another reader who was enthusiastic about sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). She sent us a link to a study conducted in Finland (Maturitas, Nov. 2014).  This placebo-controlled trial included more than 100 postmenopausal women. Unlike coconut oil, sea buckthorn oil is consumed orally, as a supplement (3 grams/day).

The investigators concluded:

“SB [sea buckthorn] oil showed beneficial effects on vaginal health, indicating it is a potential alternative for mucosal integrity for those women not able to use estrogen treatment for vaginal atrophy.”

We would love to find more research on this alternative treatment. Postmenopausal women deserve all the help they can get, including using coconut oil to ease vaginal dryness.

Hyaluronic Acid as an Alternative to Estrogen Treatment:

Q. After menopause, sex became painful and almost impossible. I tried Estring, an estrogen product you place up inside, but that caused a terrible yeast infection. I tried all kinds of lubricants, but they lost their slipperiness before correcting the pain and dryness.

Then I tried hyaluronic acid. It’s found in some topical products but I take it in capsules. Hyaluronic acid is said to add moisture to skin and joints.

I intended just to lubricate my knee joints from within for easier skiing. What a wonderful surprise when the dryness “down there” started disappearing shortly after I began the capsules.

Now I have sex any time I please, and the pain and dryness are so minimal that they aren’t a problem anymore. Hyaluronic acid is a bit expensive but so very worth it! My knees are doing well too.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

A. Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound found in the body’s connective tissues and skin. It has been used as an injection into joints and found to work as well as an oral NSAID similar to ibuprofen (Arthritis Research & Therapy, online Jan. 21, 2014). More to the point, a systematic review found that hyaluronic acid was equivalent to vaginal estrogen for relieving vaginal dryness and discomfort (Journal of Sexual Medicine, Jan. 2021).

In the UK, hyaluronic acid vaginal gel (Hyalofemme) is used to ease vaginal dryness. A study comparing this gel to vaginal estrogen cream showed equal effectiveness (Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dec. 2013). On the other hand, Italian researchers report that vaginal hyaluronic acid is comparable to a polycarbophil moisturizer similar to Replens (European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Feb. 1, 2022).

We could find no evidence that oral hyaluronic acid tablets would ease vaginal dryness, but your story is intriguing. We hope to hear from other women if it works for them.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.4- 234 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Citations
  • Donders GGG et al, "Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of vaginal atrophy." Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, May 2019. DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1574752
  • Lee A et al, "Therapeutic approaches to atrophic vaginitis in postmenopausal women: A systematic review with a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Journal of Menopausal Medicine, April 2018. DOI: 10.6118/jmm.2018.24.1.1
  • Larmo PS et al, "Effects of sea buckthorn oil intake on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study." Maturitas, Nov. 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2014.07.010
  • Dos Santos CCM et al, "Hyaluronic acid in postmenopause vaginal atrophy: A systematic review." Journal of Sexual Medicine, Jan. 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.10.016
  • Stute P, "Is vaginal hyaluronic acid as effective as vaginal estriol for vaginal dryness relief?" Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dec. 2013. DOI: 10.1007/s00404-013-3068-5
  • Cagnacci A et al, "Polycarbophil vaginal moisturizing gel versus hyaluronic acid gel in women affected by vaginal dryness in late menopausal transition: A prospective randomized trial." European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Feb. 1, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.01.021
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.