For menopausal women suffering from vaginal dryness, effective treatments include:
Avoid substances that dry mucous membranes such as:
Antihistamines
Alcohol
Caffeine
Diuretics
Stay hydrated
Wear natural fiber clothes
Use lubrication during intercourse
Consider intravaginal estriol or estradiol (consider monitoring levels with serum or saliva testing if using)
Estriol can be found only at compounding pharmacies and is used in dose of 500 micrograms in a 0.01% or 0.1% cream; initial treatment may be given once daily, then reduced to twice each week. Long-standing use of higher doses may necessitate progesterone use for endometrial protection.
Estradiol comes in numerous prescription formulations.
Zestra brand botanical feminine massage oil can be helpful for many women.
Estriol is not currently FDP approved for use in humans and only pharmacies that have an FDA-sanctioned investigational new drug application may compound drugs containing estriol.
Long-standing use of higher doses may necessitate progesterone use for endometrial protection