Hyaluronic Acid for Vaginal Dryness in Menopause (2024)

You may already use hyaluronic acid to boost collagen and plump your skin (1). But that’s not the popular skincare ingredient’s only claim to fame. You can also use it inside your vagina to relieve dryness and discomfort—common issues of perimenopause.

Estrogen keeps your vaginal tissues healthy, elastic, and well-lubricated (2). As levels of the hormone decline during the menopause transition, many women develop genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a condition marked by chronic vaginal dryness and itching. GSM can also cause your vaginal lining to thin and your pelvic floor muscles to weaken, leading to pain during sex (3).

While vaginal estrogen cream is considered the gold standard for treating GSM, it’s not the only topical option. In the past few years, a range of hyaluronic acid products—creams, gels, and suppositories formulated specifically for vaginal health—have hit the market.

“Hyaluronic acid is a great non-hormonal therapy for your GSM treatment tool kit,” urogynecologist Lee Ann Richter, M.D. says. “I’ve seen how effective hyaluronic acid is in reducing GSM symptoms, not just from medical journals, but first hand from patients in my clinic.”

About the Expert

Lee Ann Richter, M.D., is a board-certified urogynecologist and an associate professor of urology and gynecology at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid isn’t just a popular skincare ingredient on Sephora’s shelves—it’s also a substance your body produces naturally. Think of it as a natural WD-40. It keeps your joints, eyes, and skin lubricated and elastic, protecting you from uncomfortable friction (4).

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it grabs onto water molecules and stops them from evaporating (4). That’s why it’s such a popular skincare ingredient—it helps your skin retain moisture and prevents dryness. The same benefits apply when you use it in your vagina, Richter says.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid During Menopause

Vaginal dryness and irritation can start when you enter perimenopause, but they may not end when you reach menopause. Research suggests GSM affects up to 84 percent of women post-menopause (5, 6).

No matter where you are in the menopause transition, hyaluronic acid is a safe, non-hormonal remedy to promote moisture and elasticity. Not only does it help alleviate vaginal dryness and itching, but it also helps to heal small tears in the vaginal lining, reducing irritation over time.

Treats vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness can be more than an inconvenience. For some women, it causes pain during sex, irritation when walking or exercising, and unexpected bleeding.

Regular body lotions aren’t designed for sensitive vaginal tissues, but hyaluronic acid is safe and effective. A 2021 systematic review of 17 studies found that hyaluronic acid relieved vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women (7). That relief can come quickly: One 2013 clinical trial found 49 percent of women saw a significant improvement in vaginal moisture after just three uses, and 84 percent had near-total relief after 10 applications (8).

Soothes irritation and itching

If you’ve snuck into a dressing room at Target or ducked behind a parked car to scratch an incessant itch in a not-so-public-friendly place, you’re not alone. Sixty-three percent of women with GSM experience burning and itching (5).

Age-related changes in vaginal pH may cause some of the itch. A healthy vagina has a pH of between 3.8 and 4.5, but it becomes slightly less acidic with age (9). Higher pH levels can turn your vagina into a breeding ground for bad bacteria, leading to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections, which can cause itching and burning (10).

Hyaluronic acid may be the soothing agent you need (7). That could be because hyaluronic acid has a similar pH to a healthy vagina, which can help maintain the delicate balance of good bacteria.

Strengthens tissues and promotes elasticity

As you age, your skin (both on your face and in more intimate places) loses collagen, a protein that provides structure and support (11, 12). On your face, reduced collagen can cause sagging around your jawline, neck, and chin, leading to jowls and crepey skin. In your vagina, it can lead to painful and less satisfying sex.

Collagen helps keep your pelvic floor tissues strong, which helps your vagina tolerate and enjoy penetration (13). Without collagen, your vagina becomes more prone to friction-related injuries called micro-tears, which tend to crop up after having sex without enough lubrication or pulling out a dry tampon.

Hyaluronic acid may help bolster vaginal tissue strength and elasticity. Research shows that applying hyaluronic acid inside your vagina can promote collagen production and improve moisture and micro-tear healing (14).

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Estrogen Cream

Vaginal estrogen can also provide relief for vaginal dryness, burning, and atrophy. But not all women can—or want—to use hormone therapy.

“Hyaluronic acid is an effective option for women who want to avoid vaginal estrogen due to medical conditions or personal preference,” Richter says. She points to a 2023 review that suggests hyaluronic acid is almost as effective at treating symptoms of GSM as estrogen cream (15).

You can also take a two-pronged approach to get relief from GSM. “Hyaluronic acid is safe to use with other vaginal moisturizers such as vaginal estrogen,” Richter says. While combining these two therapies is generally not a problem, consider telling your doctor you added hyaluronic acid to your GSM protocol.

How to Use Hyaluronic Acid in Your Vagina

When using hyaluronic acid for vaginal dryness, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best results.

Pick a vagina-safe product

While hyaluronic acid is common in skincare, not all products are safe to use inside of your vagina. Fragrances, essential oils, dyes, and other ingredients can disrupt vaginal pH, increasing your risk of infection.

Experts suggest using a hyaluronic acid cream, gel, or suppository made for the vagina. Richter recommends products from Bonafide, Replens, or New Life, which can be found online or at a pharmacy. Many of these products come with easy-to-insert, hygienic applicators.

“There isn’t much evidence that one brand is better than another. Each of my patients finds a formulation that feels best for them,” Richter says.

If you struggle with painful sex, lubes and condoms made with hyaluronic acid may help, too.

Apply at night

Since liquid treatments can get messy, Richter recommends applying hyaluronic acid at night when you’re ready to lie down. When you’re horizontal, the substance will stay inside of your vagina and get to work.

Potential risks

Like fingerprints and pizza topping preferences, every vagina is unique. What works well for one woman may not be ideal for another.

While there aren’t documented risks or side effects of applying hyaluronic acid inside the vagina, applying any product internally can carry some risks. Some people may have a slight sensitivity to hyaluronic acid, which can cause irritation (10).

Start by applying hyaluronic acid a few times a week and monitor how your vagina responds, Richter says. “Test a product before committing to long-term use to ensure you aren’t sensitive to the ingredients.”

If you don’t experience any discomfort, you can use it every night before bed to soothe vaginal dryness.