Vaginal dryness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause — and one of the most under-discussed. Healthdirect Australia notes that it affects more than 1 in 2 women after menopause, and more than 1 in 3 women aged 57 to 69 report it. Despite this, most women don't bring it up with their doctor. The Australasian Menopause Society has found that less than 4% of affected women are actively using the proven therapies available to them.
If you're avoiding intimacy because it's uncomfortable, waking with vaginal itching or irritation, or simply feeling unlike yourself down there, there are real solutions — and lubricant is often the most accessible first step.
Why menopause causes vaginal dryness
During perimenopause and menopause, oestrogen levels decline. Oestrogen is what keeps vaginal tissue thick, elastic, and well-lubricated. As levels fall, the vaginal lining thins, becomes more fragile, and produces less natural moisture.
This is now referred to as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — a term the Australasian Menopause Society uses to encompass the full range of vaginal, vulval, and urinary symptoms that can occur. GSM affects between 40% and 90% of menopausal women, yet it remains widely undertreated.
Symptoms can include:
- Burning, stinging, or irritation — sometimes present throughout the day, not only during sex
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Urinary urgency or increased frequency
- A sense of dryness, itching, or fragility
The good news is that all of these symptoms respond to treatment. Lubricants and vaginal moisturisers are an excellent first step, and for many women they provide significant relief.
Lubricant or vaginal moisturiser — which do you need?
Before choosing a product, it helps to understand the difference.
A vaginal lubricant is used in the moment — applied before or during intimacy to reduce friction. It provides immediate relief and wears off.
A vaginal moisturiser is used regularly — typically 3 to 5 times per week — to restore moisture to vaginal tissue and support its health over time. Healthdirect Australia specifically recommends vaginal moisturisers for ongoing dryness and water-based lubricants for use during sex.
For most women going through menopause, using both gives the best results. A moisturiser maintains tissue health over time, while a lubricant provides immediate friction reduction during intimacy. They work in different ways and complement each other well.
The best lubricant types for menopause
Silicone-based lubricants — for intimacy
Silicone lubricants are widely considered one of the best options for menopausal dryness during sex. They don't absorb into the skin the way water-based options can, which means they provide sustained coverage without needing to reapply.
The Australasian Menopause Society notes that silicone lubricants remain slippery for longer and one study suggests a preference for these by older Australian women, compared to water-based alternatives.
Because menopausal tissue can be more fragile and prone to microtears from friction, the extended glide of a silicone lubricant can make a real difference to comfort.
Our recommendation: Uberlube — a premium silicone lubricant with added vitamin E. It feels light and natural rather than thick or clinical, and because it doesn't absorb, a small amount goes a long way.
Note: silicone lubricants are not compatible with silicone sex toys. Use water-based lubricant with silicone toys.
Oil-based lubricants — for daily moisturising
Oil-based lubricants are deeply nourishing and work well as both a daily vaginal moisturiser and a lubricant for intimacy. They condition vaginal tissue rather than just coating the surface, which makes them useful for ongoing dryness management.
Applied a few times a week to the vaginal area — not only before sex — an oil-based product can maintain comfort and support tissue quality over time.
Olive & Bee Intimate Cream — two ingredients: pure olive oil and beeswax. Developed by an Australian women's health physiotherapist, Olive & Bee has become one of the most trusted natural intimate creams in the country. A pea-sized amount applied to the vaginal area a few times a week provides ongoing nourishment, and it works for intimacy too.
YES OB Oil-Based Lubricant — a certified organic, plant oil-based formula that works well for both daily moisturising and intimate use.
Note: oil-based products are not safe with latex or polyisoprene condoms, as they degrade the material.
Water-based lubricants — a versatile all-rounder
Water-based lubricants are compatible with all condom types and toys, and for many menopausal women they provide good comfort. They may need reapplying during longer sessions, but as a first step they're low-risk and easy to use.
Our recommendation: YES WB Water-Based Lubricant — certified organic, pH-balanced, and free from glycerin and parabens.
YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser — for regular use
YES VM is designed to be used regularly throughout the week as a vaginal moisturiser, not only during sex. Used 3 to 5 times per week, it helps restore moisture to the vaginal walls and reduces everyday dryness and irritation.
It comes in gel form and convenient pre-filled applicators, which allow for internal application when dryness is more pronounced. Many women find that combining YES VM for regular moisturising with YES WB or Uberlube for intimacy gives them the best of both.
A simple routine for menopause
Here's an approach many women find effective:
3 to 5 times per week: Apply a small amount of vaginal moisturiser (YES VM gel, Olive & Bee, or YES OB) to the vaginal entrance and walls. Consistency builds up moisture in the tissue over time — regular application over weeks matters more than the amount used at any one session.
Before or during intimacy: Apply a lubricant (Uberlube, YES WB, or additional YES OB) as needed. Use generously rather than sparingly.
If you use topical HRT: Many women find it works well to apply their prescribed HRT cream or pessary on the days they use it, and their moisturising cream on the alternate days. Always confirm this with your prescribing doctor before changing your routine.
When lubricant alone isn't enough
Lubricants and moisturisers work at a surface level. For women with more advanced vaginal atrophy (where tissue has become very thin, fragile, or inflamed) they may not provide full relief on their own.
In these cases, vaginal oestrogen therapy can restore the thickness and resilience of vaginal tissue in a way that topical products cannot. The Australasian Menopause Society outlines the options currently available in Australia, including oestriol cream, vaginal ovules, and oestradiol vaginal tablets, most of which are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Unlike systemic HRT, vaginal oestrogen is applied locally and very little is absorbed into the bloodstream, making it appropriate for many women including those with a history of certain hormone-sensitive conditions. This is a conversation worth having with your GP.
A pelvic health physiotherapist can also help address pelvic floor muscle changes that occur during menopause and that can contribute to pain during sex even when lubrication is adequate.
Shop lubricants and moisturisers for menopause
Olive & Bee Intimate Cream — natural daily moisturiser and lubricant
YES OB Oil-Based Lubricant — certified organic, nourishing
YES VM Vaginal Moisturiser — gel and applicator formats
Uberlube — premium silicone lubricant for intimacy
YES WB Water-Based Lubricant — gentle, organic, pH-balanced
Shop the full menopause collection
If dryness, discomfort, or pain during sex isn't improving with lubricant alone, speaking with a pelvic health physiotherapist or your GP is a good next step. Effective treatments are available, and you don't have to manage this alone.
Related reading: The Best Lubricants for Dryness & Pleasure: An Australian Guide | The Best Lubricants for Postpartum and Breastfeeding
