Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers: a review into use, efficacy, and safety

Abstract

Vaginal dryness is common during and after menopause due to declining estrogen. It is one of the symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), which is part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. This can be distressing for women and cause pain, discomfort, and dyspareunia. Vaginal dryness affects over 50% of postmenopausal women but is under-reported and thus under-treated due to barriers to seeking help. Estrogen replacement can resolve symptoms, but may be contraindicated or not desired by all women. Over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can ease the symptoms of VVA. However, their chemical composition varies enormously and some are known to cause detrimental effects due to unphysiological pH, osmolality, and additives. The primary purpose of this review is to assess both their efficacy and safety. Women should be directed toward products that are as ‘body-similar’ as possible to vaginal secretions in terms of pH and osmolality. Products with potentially harmful ingredients should be avoided. Lubricants can be trialed for sexual activity and moisturizers for symptom control, even if topical or systemic menopause hormone therapy is being used.

摘要

围绝经期和绝经后的女性由于雌激素水平下降出现阴道干燥十分常见。阴道干燥是绝经期泌尿生殖系综合征中外阴阴道萎缩（VVA）的症状之一, 其会造成女性痛苦, 可引起疼痛、不适和性交困难。绝经后女性中50％以上会出现阴道干燥影, 但由于寻求帮助的障碍, 其报道不足, 因此未得到充分治疗。虽然雌激素替代治疗可以缓解症状, 但其有相关禁忌症, 且并非所有女性都愿意接受。非处方阴道保湿剂和润滑剂可以缓解VVA的症状。然而它们的化学组成差异大, 一些产品由于非生理pH值、渗透压和添加剂会造成有害影响。本综述的主要目的是评估阴道润滑剂和保湿剂的功效和安全性。女性应选用在pH值和渗透压方面与阴道分泌物尽可能“相似”的产品。应避免应用具有潜在有害成分的产品。即使正在局部或全身应用绝经激素治疗的女性, 也可以试用润滑剂改善性活动, 保湿剂用以控制症状。

Keywords:

• Lubricant
• moisturizer
• pH
• osmolality
• vulvovaginal atrophy
• vulvovaginal atrophy
• genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• genitourinary syndrome of the menopause

Potential conflict of interest

N. Potter has no conflict of interest. N. Panay has lectured and/or acted in an advisory capacity for Abbott, Besins, Lawley, Kora, Mithra, Mylan, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diagnostics, SeCur, Serelys, Shionogi, Theramex, and Yes Companies.

Source of funding

Nil.