Q. I am a 55-year-old female suffering from hot flashes, vaginal dryness and loss of libido. Sexual intercourse is uncomfortable. I used to look forward to making love with my husband, but it is hard to enjoy anything that hurts.
We have tried drugstore lubricants, but we are not satisfied with any of them. Any suggestions?
A. You will have to experiment with personal lubricants. What works for some couples is unacceptable for others.
One woman wrote to say that she suffered from dryness starting in her 40s:
“I tried numerous treatments, including expensive lubricants. Then I read about Corn Huskers Lotion. The results with this inexpensive hand moisturizer have been incredible.”
Others tell us that olive oil or the gel from an aloe plant can be used as vaginal lubricants. Sylk is another natural option. It contains kiwi-fruit vine extract and is available on the Web at www.sylkusa.com or by calling (866) 831-2920.
We are sending you our Guides to Female Sexuality, and to Drugs that Affect Sexuality for more information about your various concerns. You will learn about Estring, which contains small amounts of estrogen to help ease vaginal dryness.
