What about alternative medicine, homeopathic therapy or vitamins?

Three homeopathic agents claiming to relieve vaginal dryness are Belladonna, Bryonia, and Lycopodium. Herbal treatments include dong quai or motherwort. There is no scientific research supporting or refuting the claims or effectiveness of any of these therapies. Ginseng does, however, have some limited scientific support for effectiveness in treating vaginal dryness. (24)

Some researchers believe adding certain items to the patient’s diet may help increase vaginal moisture. Additional research is necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of these approaches, which include isoflavones (plant estrogens), found in soybeans and soy products, as well as black cohosh. (25) Black cohosh is a plant, also known as black snakeroot and bugbane, which may help offset some menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes but less is know about its potential benefit for alleviating vaginal dryness. It is not recommended for ingestion during pregnancy, nursing or while taking medication that affects the liver.

A mixture of soy flour (6 tablespoons) and flaxseed (2 tablespoons) has been shown to improve vaginal moisture and in one study, a soy-rich diet was shown to increase the karyopycnotic index among a group of menopausal women (26). Soy and flaxseed can cause natural, estrogen-like activity. This is covered in great detail in my book, The Soy Solution for Menopause (7). Women seeking to avoid estrogen therapy should consult their doctor first. It usually takes two to four weeks and may take up to six weeks to produce results.

Some women have tried opening a soft gel of Vitamin E oil and squirting it into the vagina daily for about a week, and after that once or twice per week. While adequate oral vitamin E intake has long been associated with healthy skin, there is little data to suggest that using E topically in the vagina is any more effective than any other oil (27).

In short, it’s best to stick with treatment, either prescription or over-the–counter, that has proven safe and effective. It is best to avoid self-treatments that have not been the subject of scientific and medical study over a long period of time.