On your skin

A vaginal moisturizer

For dryness and discomfort, and it is not the same thing as lubricant. No appointment needed.

What to do

A vaginal moisturizer two or three times a week, on a schedule rather than only before sex — it works by rehydrating the tissue over time. Lubricant is for the moment; a moisturizer is for the week. Many women use both, and they are sold in the same aisle, which is why they get confused.

The same nights you take anything else at bedtime.

On a hard day: Once this week instead of three times.

When you might notice

Two to four weeks of using it regularly. It is not an instant fix, which is what makes people give up on it.

Roughly what it costs

about $12 a month

What this is based on

Regular vaginal moisturizers improve dryness and discomfort, and are the recommended first step before anything on prescription.

Good evidence

Or instead of this

These do a similar job. Pick the one that fits your life — doing all of them is not better.

What this is for

Guía is not a doctor and none of this is medical advice. It is here so you can have a better conversation with someone who is. Who made this

Which of these is for you?

Three questions and Guía puts the ones that fit your symptoms into a plan — in the right order, with the smaller version for the days you cannot. Free, and there is nothing to buy.

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