Intimate care
When dryness or pain keeps coming back
What to notice and what to bring up with a GP or sexual health clinician.
If intimate contact hurts, pause. Lubricant can reduce friction, but recurring pain or dryness is worth discussing with a healthcare professional. There are several possible causes and the right care depends on what’s causing your symptoms. See Healthdirect’s guide to painful sex.
Before an appointment, it may help to jot down when the symptoms began, when they happen and whether anything changed around the same time. If you’ve tried a lubricant or another personal care product, bring its name or a photo of the ingredients. You can start the conversation with “I’ve been having discomfort during sex and it keeps happening.”
Seek advice if dryness persists or you notice unusual discharge or bleeding. A GP or sexual health clinician can talk through your symptoms and what might help. Healthdirect’s guide to vaginal dryness covers common symptoms and when to see a doctor.