# Why Do Intimate Care Needs Change During Menopause?

- Page: https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/why-intimate-care-needs-change-during-menopause
- Published: 18 June 2026
- Topics: Hormonal balance, Menopause, Vaginal Health
- Topic page: Vaginal Health and Intimate Care https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/topic/vaginal-health
- Topic page: Perimenopause and Menopause https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/topic/menopause
- Publisher: care with .ki (content principles: https://www.carewithki.com/en/editorial-policy)

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> Menopause is one of the most natural and mature biological stages in a woman's life. But the hormonal fluctuations that accompany it, especially the fall in the hormone oestrogen, bring clear changes in the intimate area, as in many other tissues of our body.

## Intimate Care in Menopause: Changing Needs and a Pharmacist's Advice

Menopause is one of the most natural and mature biological stages in a woman's life. But the hormonal fluctuations that accompany it, especially the fall in the hormone oestrogen, bring clear changes in the intimate area, as in many other tissues of our body.

We see that many women who come to our pharmacy struggle to manage this stage with complaints such as "dryness", "burning" or "recurrent infections". So what exactly changes in the intimate area during menopause, and how should our care routine be shaped at this time? We've put the scientific facts and what needs to be done under the microscope from a pharmacist's point of view.

### 1. Hormonal Decline and the Changing Vaginal Ecosystem

During the reproductive years, the hormone oestrogen keeps the vaginal epithelium thick, moist and elastic. It also supports the production of glycogen, which feeds the Lactobacillus bacteria, the protective soldiers of the vaginal flora. Lactobacilli convert this glycogen into lactic acid, keeping the pH of the intimate area in an acidic range (about 3.8–4.5). This acidic environment is the strongest shield preventing pathogens (harmful bacteria and fungi) from multiplying.

With menopause:

- Oestrogen decreases, and the vaginal wall becomes thinner and loses its elasticity (vulvovaginal atrophy).
- The amount of glycogen falls and the protective Lactobacillus population decreases.
- The Result: The pH of the intimate area rises, reaching a more neutral/alkaline level (~6.0–7.5). This leaves the area open to infection and irritation.

### 2. The Golden Rules of Intimate Care in Menopause

At this stage, the standard cleansers used in younger years, or the habit of washing with water alone, may be insufficient or too aggressive. Adopting a routine suited to the changing ecosystem directly improves quality of life.

### A. Choose Cleansers With the Right pH

With their high (alkaline) pH, traditional soaps completely destroy the already weakened acid barrier of the intimate area. In menopause, choose sulphate-free and fragrance-free intimate wash gels with a pH optimised at around 6.0–6.8 to match the area's rising pH, which don't leave a feeling of dryness.

### B. Moisturising: Not Just Momentary, a Therapeutic Approach

Menopausal dryness can cause discomfort not only during sex but even when walking during the day.

- For Daily Care: Non-hormonal vaginal moisturisers (in gel or pessary form) containing hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or liposomal moisturisers increase the tissue's capacity to hold water.
- During Sex: Choose water-based lubricants with an osmolality suited to intimate tissue. Silicone-based ones are also safe options for a longer-lasting effect.

### C. Prebiotic and Probiotic Support

Supporting the flora from the outside and the inside minimises the risk of infection. Prebiotic ingredients in intimate wash products or local creams help feed the remaining beneficial bacteria.

### What Should You Avoid?

- Scented and Coloured Products: Pads, toilet paper and gels containing fragrance can cause severe allergic reactions and itching on the thinned mucosa.
- Vaginal Douching: Washing the inside of the vagina with water or any hygiene product (vaginal douching) multiplies the risk of infection. Cleansing should be limited to the external genital area (the vulva) only.
- Tight and Synthetic Clothing: Non-breathable nylon underwear traps moisture, paving the way for harmful microorganisms to multiply. Always choose 100% cotton fabrics.
Menopause calls for a more sensitive and scientific approach to intimate health. Remember that the dryness and sensitivity problems you experience are not without solutions. You can always consult your pharmacist to choose the right products and create a routine tailored to you.

### References

- The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). (2020). Management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women with or after cancer: position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause, 27(5), 493–510.
- Portman, D. J., & Gass, M. L. S. (2014). Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: new terminology for vulvovajinal atrophy from the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health and The North American Menopause Society. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 11(12), 2865-2872.
- Brotman, R. M., Shardell, M. D., Gajer, P., et al. (2018). Association between the vaginal microbiota, menopause status, and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy. Menopause, 25(11), 1321–1330.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2021). Practice Advisory: Clinical Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM).

_This article is general information; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation._