Dryness and Pain During Sex: What a New Study on Vaginal Suppositories with Hyaluronic Acid Showed

Have you ever experienced dryness during sex? If so, you know how it ruins all the pleasure. And it seems there aren't many options: either hormonal products or just enduring it. But there is a third way — vaginal suppositories with hyaluronic acid. Recently, scientists conducted a study to test how effective they really are. And the results look promising.

What are these suppositories and how were they tested?

These are suppositories (also called ovules) inserted into the vagina twice a week for five weeks. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that attracts and retains moisture, so it is often added to moisturizing creams. The logic is simple: if you moisturize the mucosa, both dryness and pain during sex should decrease.

To test this, researchers recruited 29 women diagnosed with vaginal dryness and a vaginal health index below normal. (This is a special scale by which a doctor assesses the condition of the mucosa.) The women used the suppositories as instructed, and the scientists monitored changes.

Results: what the numbers showed

Here's the main intrigue: the effect is real and noticeable. After five weeks, the vaginal health score increased on average by 6 points — that's a lot. In 89% of women, the doctor noted clinical improvement, and in 79% of cases, the women themselves felt better. 86% were satisfied with the treatment.

But the most interesting thing is that not only objective indicators improved, but also subjective sensations. Women noted that dryness and pain during sex decreased, and the quality of sexual life improved. This was assessed using a special questionnaire, and the results also improved.

Is it safe?

Any treatment method requires safety testing, and here everything is calm. During the study, only three minor side effects occurred — so minor that it's awkward to even mention them. Nothing dangerous or frightening. So suppositories can be considered a safe option for those who want a non-hormonal solution.

Who might this suit?

It's important to understand: the study is small, only 29 women, and there was no control group (meaning no one compared the suppositories to a placebo). So this is more of a first step rather than solid proof. But for women who suffer from dryness and don't want hormones, this could be good news. If you're familiar with this problem, ask your gynecologist about such suppositories — they might be right for you.