Almond oil: Is it a secure lubricant for vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness is a standard drawback amongst girls, which isn’t simply uncomfortable however can have an effect on your intercourse life too. Many individuals use lubricants to assist ease vaginal dryness to make intercourse extra comfy. It helps moisturize it and provide help to cope with vaginal dryness. One such pure lubricant for vaginal dryness is almond oil! It’s not solely an efficient lubricant however simply out there and secure to make use of. Right here’s how you should use almond oil as a lubricant for vaginal dryness and luxuriate in your intercourse life to the fullest.

What’s vaginal dryness?

Vaginal dryness refers back to the situation the place the vagina lacks correct lubrication, resulting in discomfort or ache throughout sexual exercise and even day by day actions. It’s usually related to decreased estrogen ranges, which might happen throughout menopause, breastfeeding, or sure medical remedies like chemotherapy. Additionally, it may be brought on by treatment, stress, hormonal adjustments, or inadequate arousal throughout sexual exercise, as per a 2019 research printed in Advances in Beauty Surgical procedure.

Signs of vaginal dryness embody:

• Itching
• Burning
• Soreness within the vaginal space
• Discomfort throughout intercourse

What are the causes of vaginal dryness?

Listed here are a few of the causes of vaginal dryness, as per a 2019 analysis within the EPMA Journal.

• Fluctuations in estrogen ranges, significantly throughout menopause, perimenopause, breastfeeding, or after childbirth, can result in decreased vaginal lubrication and dryness.
• Sure medicines, equivalent to hormonal contraceptives (contraception capsules, patches, or injections), antihistamines, antidepressants, and a few chemotherapy medicine, can intrude with vaginal moisture ranges.
• Medical circumstances equivalent to Sjögren’s syndrome, autoimmune issues, diabetes, vaginal infections (equivalent to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis), and hormonal imbalances (equivalent to thyroid issues) can have an effect on vaginal lubrication.
• Stress, anxiousness, melancholy, and relationship points can influence sexual arousal and vaginal lubrication, resulting in dryness throughout sexual exercise.
• Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can have an effect on vaginal moisture ranges, with some girls experiencing elevated dryness earlier than or after menstruation.
• Harsh soaps, douches, scented female hygiene merchandise, and sure laundry detergents can irritate the vaginal tissue and disrupt its pure moisture steadiness.

Almond oil for vaginal dryness

Many ladies expertise vaginal dryness, which might make intercourse uncomfortable. Whereas lubricants are available, some girls want pure lubricant choices. “Utilizing almond oil as a lubricant for vaginal dryness is mostly thought of secure for most individuals. Almond oil is a pure moisturiser that may assist alleviate dryness. It has soothing properties and may also help cut back irritation and discomfort. It additionally incorporates nutritional vitamins E and A, which could be useful for pores and skin well being,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Madhu Juneja.

Listed here are a few of the advantages of almond oil for vaginal dryness:

1. Pure moisturiser

Almond oil is a wonderful pure moisturiser. It helps to hydrate and soften the vaginal tissues, lowering dryness and discomfort. “Its emollient properties make it efficient in restoring moisture and sustaining pores and skin elasticity, which is important for lowering irritation and enhancing consolation,” explains the knowledgeable.

2. Wealthy in vitamins

Almond oil is wealthy in nutritional vitamins E and A, in addition to important fatty acids, as per a 2019 analysis printed within the Fruit Oils: Chemistry and Performance ebook. Vitamin E is a robust antioxidant that helps defend and restore pores and skin cells, selling general vaginal well being. Vitamin A helps pores and skin regeneration and restore, which could be significantly useful for sustaining wholesome vaginal tissues.

3. Might enhance pores and skin elasticity

Common use of almond oil might enhance the elasticity of the vaginal pores and skin. “That is significantly useful for post-menopausal girls or those that expertise dryness attributable to hormonal adjustments. Improved elasticity helps in lowering the danger of micro-tears and enhances general consolation,” says the knowledgeable.

4. Excessive in anti-inflammatory properties

In keeping with a 2010 research printed within the Complementary Therapies in Medical Follow journal, almond oil has pure soothing and anti inflammatory properties, which may also help cut back irritation, itching, and irritation related to vaginal dryness. This makes it a mild choice for these with delicate pores and skin or who expertise discomfort from different lubricants or remedies.

5. Wealthy in antimicrobial properties

Almond oil has delicate antimicrobial properties, which can assist defend in opposition to infections. “Whereas it’s not an alternative choice to medical remedies, its antimicrobial motion can present an added layer of safety, lowering the danger of bacterial and fungal infections that may exacerbate dryness,” explains the knowledgeable.

The way to use almond oil as lubricant?

Right here is how one can use almond oil as lubricant:

1. Select the best almond oil

• Guarantee you’re utilizing pure, cold-pressed almond oil.
• Verify that the oil is free from components, fragrances, and different chemical substances.
• Search for high-quality almond oil, ideally labeled for beauty or medical use.

2. Carry out a patch check

• Earlier than making use of the oil to delicate areas, do a patch check on a small space of pores and skin (like your interior forearm).
• Apply a small quantity of almond oil and wait for twenty-four hours to examine for any allergic reactions, equivalent to redness, itching, or swelling.

3. Put together your fingers and vaginal space

• Wash your fingers totally with cleaning soap and water.
• Make sure the vaginal space is clear and dry to stop any potential infections.

4. Apply correctly

• Pour a small quantity of almond oil onto your fingertips.
• Gently rub your fingers collectively to heat the oil barely, making it extra comfy to use.
• Apply the oil externally across the vaginal opening and labia. Be mild to keep away from any irritation.

Should you want inside lubrication, you may apply a small quantity of oil to your fingers or a clear applicator and gently insert it into the vagina. Be cautious and apply solely a small quantity at first.

5. Aftercare

• After use, wash your fingers totally once more.
• Should you expertise any discomfort, irritation, or indicators of an infection (equivalent to uncommon discharge or odor), discontinue use and seek the advice of a healthcare supplier.

Additionally, maintain the next factors in thoughts:

• Should you use latex condoms, do not forget that almond oil (like all oils) can degrade latex, making the condoms much less efficient. Think about using non-latex condoms or another lubricant if this can be a concern.
• Monitor how your physique responds to the almond oil. Some girls might discover it appropriate for normal use, whereas others might want occasional use.
• When you’ve got any underlying well being circumstances, are liable to vaginal infections, or are pregnant, it’s greatest to seek the advice of with a healthcare supplier earlier than utilizing almond oil.

What are the negative effects of almond oil?

Listed here are a few of the potential negative effects of almond oil –

1. Allergic reactions

People with nut allergic reactions might expertise allergic reactions to almond oil. Signs can embody itching, redness, swelling, or rash on the utility web site. “In extreme instances, it might result in extra critical allergic reactions equivalent to issue respiration or anaphylaxis,” says the knowledgeable.

2. Pores and skin irritation

Though almond oil is mostly soothing, some people with extraordinarily delicate pores and skin may expertise irritation, particularly if the oil incorporates any components or impurities.

3. Altered vaginal pH steadiness

Utilizing almond oil internally can doubtlessly alter the pure pH steadiness of the vagina. This will improve the danger of infections equivalent to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.