Hyaluronic Acid for Vaginal Dryness, Irritation, and Pain Relief
If you’ve ever felt dryness, irritation, or discomfort in your vulvar or vaginal tissues, you’re not alone. Up to 46% of people report experiencing vaginal dryness after childbirth (Lippincott Journals), and 45% experience it during menopause (BioMed Central+1). Many also deal with these symptoms during perimenopause, cancer treatments, or breastfeeding. These symptoms are sometimes dismissed as a "normal" part of aging, but they can significantly impact daily comfort, intimacy, and overall quality of life.
Here at Boston Pelvic PT, we help our patients find safe, effective, and lasting solutions for their pelvic health. One powerful and increasingly popular tool in our pelvic health toolkit is a familiar skincare ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid.
In this post, we’ll explain what hyaluronic acid is, how it helps with vaginal dryness and irritation, and how to choose the right product.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance your body makes. It’s found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue. Its main job is to keep things hydrated and cushioned (it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water). That’s why it’s used in so many skincare products - but it also plays a powerful role in vaginal and pelvic health, where it supports tissue repair, elasticity, and lubrication.
Why Use Hyaluronic Acid for Pelvic Health?
After childbirth, during breastfeeding, with certain medications (like antidepressants, antihistamines, birth control, or chemotherapy), or with age, the urogenital tissues can become:
Dry or irritated
Thinner and more sensitive
More prone to micro-tears or pain with sexual intercourse (called “dyspareunia”)
This is sometimes referred to as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) or just "vaginal atrophy." While vaginal estrogen therapy is often very effective, not everyone can or wants to use hormones (for example, breast cancer survivors cannot use hormone replacement therapy (HRT)). That’s where hormone-free pelvic health products like hyaluronic acid come in.
Research shows that vaginal hyaluronic acid can:
Improve the hydration of vaginal tissues
Help reduce itching, burning, and dryness
Support tissue repair and healing
Improve comfort during intimacy
A 2022 review found that vaginal HA improved vaginal pH, moisture, and overall vaginal health - with few to no side effects. (PMC9408661)
Is Hyaluronic Acid Safe?
Yes, in general, hyaluronic acid is considered very safe. It’s non-irritating, works well with sensitive skin, and doesn’t contain hormones.
That said, here are some important tips:
Use a product designed specifically for vaginal/internal use (not just facial serums)
Avoid added fragrances, dyes, or harsh preservatives
Test it on the outer skin first if you’re prone to allergic reactions
Do not use if you have an active infection, bleeding, or sores (HA won’t treat the root cause, and can worsen symptoms)
Apply as directed with clean hands, often a few times per week (don’t just wait until you’re already feeling “dry” to use)
If you have questions or a history of skin sensitivity, check in with your provider - a dermatologist can be particularly helpful if you’re worried about skin reactions or choosing the right product
Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vaginal Estrogen Together?
Many people can safely use hyaluronic acid and vaginal estrogen together. They work in different but complementary ways, and this dual approach can be a faster, more comprehensive way to treat vaginal dryness and discomfort.
Vaginal estrogen is a hormonal treatment that works at a deeper, cellular level to rebuild the thickness and elasticity of the vaginal tissues over time.
Hyaluronic acid is a non-hormonal hydrator that provides immediate, soothing relief by attracting and holding moisture in the superficial layers of the tissue.
Your healthcare provider can help determine the best combination for your needs, especially since estrogen remains the gold standard for many patients when it is safe to use.
Our Top Picks for Safe Vaginal Moisturizers with Hyaluronic Acid
Here’s what we recommend to our patients (with discount codes!):
Good Clean Love: Rehydrate Ultra Moisturizing Vaginal Gel
→ Use code BIOME20 for $20 off a minimum order of $25 (not including shipping or other discounts).Kindra: V Relief Serum
→ Use code GETRELIEF or FEELRELIEF for 20% off
→ Or on Amazon.com, use code HCP82467 at checkout for 20% offDamiva: Cleo Labial Balm
→ Use code KATHRYNRADERMACHER for 50% off your first purchase.
(*these may also be HSA/FSA eligible)
When to Use Hyaluronic Acid with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Hyaluronic acid is a great way to improve vaginal hydration and comfort, but it’s often just one piece of the puzzle. For many people, vaginal dryness and pain are also linked to tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles.
At Boston Pelvic PT, we take a whole-body approach to care. That means combining products like hyaluronic acid with hands-on therapy, gentle stretching, and personalized exercises to treat both the tissue and the muscle.
For example, using hyaluronic acid can make manual therapy more comfortable, helping us release tight areas and ease pain more effectively. This combined approach often leads to longer-lasting relief.
Get Help for Vaginal Discomfort
Hyaluronic acid isn’t just a skincare trend - it’s a powerful, non-hormonal treatment option for vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, and atrophy. It can be especially helpful for people navigating postpartum recovery, perimenopause, cancer treatment, or other hormone-related changes that cause discomfort.
Always talk with your primary care provider or pelvic floor physical therapist to find the best treatment option for your needs.
Need help with vaginal dryness, pelvic pain, or other symptoms, and looking for a pelvic health specialist near Boston? Book a new patient appointment at Boston Pelvic PT with one of our pelvic health specialists:
Schedule online: bostonpelvicpt.janeapp.com
Call/text: (813) 946-6975
Email: info@bostonpelvicpt.com
Boston Pelvic Physical Therapy provides compassionate, inclusive, and trauma-informed care at 802 Main Street in Melrose, MA. We specialize in personalized, 1:1 pelvic floor physical therapy for women, men, and non-binary patients experiencing pelvic pain, prolapse, postpartum changes, and more.
We proudly serve the greater Boston area, including Melrose, Malden, Wakefield, Stoneham, Saugus, Medford, and Revere. Virtual appointments are available for your convenience.