The Power of Lubricant
…More Than Just “Extra Comfort”
When most people hear “lube,” they think of intimacy (download my list of favorite lube list here!). But in fact, lubricants (and vaginal moisturizers) can play a valuable role across a range of sexual, relational, and pelvic-health contexts — especially as women navigate hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause.
Why Lubricant Matters, Generally
Reduces friction & discomfort. Even with healthy tissues, the friction from penetration or rubbing can irritate or micro-traumatize delicate mucosa. Lubricant helps protect the skin and mucosal surfaces.
Promotes sexual enjoyment & spontaneity. Using lube can help reduce anxiety about pain, enhance arousal, and support desire by reducing the barrier of dryness or discomfort.
Supports healing & tissue integrity. In conditions of mild irritation, small tears, or sensitivity (from vaginismus, childbirth recovery, postpartum, etc.), lubrication can buffer stress on tissues while they heal.
Adjunct to other therapies. Lubricants are often recommended in sexual medicine as a first-line, low-risk intervention before or alongside hormonal or other treatments.
Because lubricants come in a variety of formulations (water-based, silicone-based, hybrid, etc.), one can often find a product that suits sensitivity, preferences, and whether one is using condoms or sex toys.
Why Lubricant Becomes Especially Important During Perimenopause & Menopause
As hormone levels (especially estrogen) decline, the vulvovaginal tissues undergo structural, functional, and microbiological changes. These make natural lubrication less effective, and increase susceptibility to irritation, tearing, and discomfort. Using lube becomes a protective and supportive strategy, not just an option.
Here’s what the research says:
Tissue and mucosal changes in perimenopause / menopause
Thinning & atrophy. Lowered estrogen is associated with vaginal epithelial thinning, loss of elasticity, reduced blood flow, and decreased glycogen content in the epithelium. These changes contribute to what is commonly called vaginal atrophy or more recently genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). PMC+2MDPI+2
Reduced secretions & moisture. The decline in estrogen leads to decreased mucosal secretions and moisture retention in vaginal tissues, which reduces baseline lubrication. ACOG+2Cleveland Clinic+2
Altered barrier function. Some studies show that after menopause, the epithelial barrier (paracellular permeability) declines, making the lining more fragile and vulnerable to microtrauma. ScienceDirect
Microbiome shifts & pH changes. With thinning epithelium and lower glycogen, lactobacilli populations may decline, leading to dysbiosis and a higher vaginal pH. This environment is less supportive of mucosal health and more vulnerable to inflammation or infection. BioMed Central+2ScienceDirect+2
Symptom prevalence. The risk of vaginal dryness, irritation, and dyspareunia rises with menopausal stage. In the SWAN cohort, advancing menopausal stage was strongly associated with incident vaginal dryness symptoms. PMC+1
Also, in the “Female sexuality and vaginal health across the menopausal age” study, vaginal dryness (a marker of atrophy) correlated independently with declines across multiple domains of sexual function. PubMed
Put simply: the tissues become thinner, less elastic, more fragile, and less able to self-lubricate. This is not a “normal aging inconvenience” — it’s a physiologic shift that advantages some proactive care.
What lubrication offers during this phase
Immediate symptom relief. For many women, a good lubricant can reduce pain, burning, itching, or irritation during sex or even daily activities (e.g. tight clothing rubbing, exercise) by reducing friction.
Tissue protection. Because the lining is more vulnerable, lubrication helps buffer mechanical stress, microtears, and inflammation.
Support for ongoing intimacy. Using lube can make sex more comfortable, preserve sexual desire, and support psychological and relational well-being.
Companion to medical interventions. Even when using vaginal estrogen, hormone therapy, or other treatments for GSM, lubricants often remain helpful in bridging times of dryness or when hormone-related effects vary.
Suggestions & Tips
Opt for water-based or hybrid lubricants (versus highly viscous oil-based ones) if using condoms or using internal devices/sex toys, unless the product explicitly is safe with latex or silicone.
Look for products labeled “pH-balanced” and “for sensitive tissues” — lower irritant profiles are ideal.
Use abundantly — don’t skimp! Reapply as needed during a session.
Some women benefit from using a vaginal moisturizer (a daily or semi-regular product that helps retain moisture) in addition to sexual lubricant.
Always patch-test a small amount if you have sensitive vulvovaginal tissue.
Discuss with your gynecologist whether adding localized estrogen, nonhormonal vaginal products, or other interventions is warranted — lubricants are supportive but not necessarily sufficient in more severe cases of GSM.
External Resources & Further Reading
Here are some quality webpages that rank well on Google and may help your readers:
Harvard Health: Don’t Ignore Vaginal Dryness and Pain — overview of the issue in menopause (Harvard) Harvard Health
Health Harvard on Perimenopause: “During late perimenopause … vaginal tissue become thinner and drier.” Harvard Health
ACOG: “Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need to Know” — clinical perspective on vulvovaginal changes in low estrogen states ACOG
Cleveland Clinic: Vaginal Atrophy / Dryness — description of physical changes and treatment options Cleveland Clinic+1