A new survey by Replens™ has discovered that almost half of women experiencing vaginal dryness aren’t currently seeking help to address it.

Most women will experience vaginal dryness at some point in their life, with the menopause being a key trigger as it causes fluctuations of the female hormone oestrogen – yet it seems women can be slow to seek help when needed. Low or no oestrogen means a decrease in blood circulation, causing natural vaginal lubrication to stop. The dryer the vagina becomes, the more prone to infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTI’s) a woman becomes. Vaginal dryness and irritation can also be particularly disruptive to sex life and intimate relationships, with many women feeling embarrassed to discuss this common condition.

The Flames of Sex and Intimacy survey, conducted by Replens™ and OnePoll, quizzed 1200 people aged 60 and above about their sex lives and intimate relationships. Asked what inhibits intimacy post-menopause compared to when they were younger, one in four women (27%) blamed vaginal dryness, whilst one in five (20%) blamed the menopause as an associated reason. Yet almost 45% went on to admit they aren’t currently using any products to counter the condition and almost two thirds (60%) did not know the difference between a vaginal moisturiser and a sexual lubricant.

Replens™ Vaginal Moisturiser is a hormone-free solution to menopause-related vaginal dryness, working by lining the inside of the vagina. Backed up by extensive scientific expertise, Replens™ provides moisture, lubrication and comfort for up to 3 days to supplement the body’s natural lubrication. This way, Replens™ enables women to feel more confident and comfortable, empowering them to achieve a long-lasting sex life during and after menopause.

Sex and relationships expert Tracey Cox comments, “I’d strongly suggest anyone experiencing menopause-related vaginal dryness to start using a vaginal moisturiser like Replens™. They’re different from sexual lubricants: you can use them when you’re not having sex to keep everything moist and comfortable and before intimacy too. They can be used in combination with HRT or instead of. They’re also hormone free, so if you can’t use HRT, you can use these (and you don’t need a prescription). If the discomfort is severe (and your doctor’s given you the go ahead), you might want to consider using oestrogen pessaries as well.”