Why Can I Not Get Wet While Pregnant? How Do I Solve This?

As you glance over the two striking lines on your pregnancy test a thousand things race through your mind. There’s finally an explanation for why you have been nauseous, and tired beyond belief. You have your big fat positive! As your body changes you may not give a second thought about your vagina at first but you may question why can I not get wet while pregnant?

So, Why Can I Not Get Wet While Pregnant?

The most common reason behind not getting wet while pregnant is hormonal imbalance.

You may ponder why am I not getting wet during pregnancy and consider the two are linked. You are correct. Both Progesterone and Oestrogen are responsible for driving a healthy pregnancy and in turn, they can cause vaginal dryness. They are not totally to blame as dehydration, infection, and breastfeeding can also cause a drought down below.

Why Can’t I Get Wet When I’m Pregnant?

Becoming pregnant has to be the most exciting yet scary moment in your life. It is the only time when a woman can wholeheartedly say their body will never be the same again.

Whether you are sporting your tiger stripes with pride or living in close proximity to a sick bucket you can thank the handy hormones raging through your body. Something not all future moms experience is being rather dry downstairs. Questioning “Why can’t I get wet when I’m pregnant?” May spark the worrisome curiosity of what your vagina actually has to deal with for the 40 weeks of gestation.

What Is Vaginal Dryness?

Experiencing a dry vagina can be rather uncomfortable and confusing. Our vaginas are usually moist, coated with mucus membranes, but when things down below become desert like it can make you panic.

Sex is quickly removed from the table of offerings as any type of friction whilst experiencing a dry vag can be painful.

But why? What are the causes for our vaginas to become so parched? Does pregnancy cause vaginal dryness?

Causes Of Abnormal Dryness

The main question to the topic here is, ‘is it normal to not get wet when pregnant?’ We have uncovered the answers and reasons why you can become dry during pregnancy.

Hormones

To give you a simple and effective answer, yes. Some women can experience feeling dry when pregnant. The main cause for this is the two main forces responsible for your pregnancy health, Progesterone, and Oestrogen.

Progesterone helps to prime your uterus making it homely for the expectant lodger to nestle safely during implantation, whilst Oestrogen helps maintain the lubrication of your lady parts. When you become pregnant your body has to adjust to these fluctuating hormones meaning that if your Oestrogen dips or is out of balance then you can expect to feel rather withered between your legs.

Unfortunately, moms who are breastfeeding may also be subjected to a dry vag. In fact, it is more likely as your Oestrogen levels plummet once prolactin is released to maintain your milk supply.

Infection

The dreaded infection, Vaginitis, can alter the balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria meaning you may expect dryness, inflammation, burning, and an irritating itch.

According to the Mayo Clinic there are three types of Vaginitis,

Bacterial Vaginosis – an overgrowth of natural bacteria.

Yeast Infection – fungal infection caused by Candida albicans producing an increase in yeast causing itching, discharge, and pain.

Trichomoniasis – a sexually transmitted infection passed from an infected partner.

Treatment available from your doctor would be dependent on the type of infection within.

Dehydration

Drinking fluids is essential for a healthy body with water being the best. Let’s be honest your body is clocking up the overtime right now so it will need the extra fluids to stay on task.

Becoming dehydrated can not only affect your baby but it can have an impact on your vag too. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists reports that a woman with a child should aim for 8 to 12 cups of water a day which is equivalent to 64 – 98 ounces.

Water not only helps with vaginal dryness but also helps deliver nutrients around the body and helps to regulate the amniotic fluid around your baby.

Treatments To Help

Now that you know the answer to why can I not get wet while pregnant now it’s time to seek out treatments and advice.

Lubricants

The main discomfort, when your lady V is parched, is sex. Yeah, we said it, pregnant women can actually continue with a healthy sex life (provided your doctor hasn’t said otherwise) even when your body is creating life the urge to jump your partner’s bones may occur.

The natural response when you’re feeling ‘up for it,’ is for your vagina to become wet and if those pesky hormones are getting your vag in a twist don’t despair.

Using water-based or natural lubricants are best during pregnancy and make your love sessions more satisfying and less like a lone cactus in the Sahara.

On a serious note lubricants that have flavors, scents, or heat-inducing qualities can upset your vagina even more leading to an increased risk of infection so stay clear of the strawberry lickable lube till after your baby is born.

Medication

If your vaginal dryness has been caused by infection then your doctor will clarify what infection after taking a swab from your vagina and set out the best course of treatment. Meanwhile, you should make it common practice to do the following:

Wipe front to back after using the loo – preventing germs from spreading to the vagina.

Avoid perfumed soaps – heavily fragranced soaps are your vaginas worst nightmare, it not only upsets the pH balance but can also strip away the natural barrier that helps prevent infection.

Avoid over washing – I know that during pregnancy you may have more discharge than before although normal, it can be frustrating and make you want to wash more frequently. Repetitive washing can disturb the natural processes within the vagina leaving it more vulnerable.

Libido In Pregnancy

According to healthline your libido can alter over the course of your pregnancy. Experiencing an increased need for sexual intercourse is normal as your blood volume is greater giving you a hypersensitive clitoris.

If you have more than one partner then ensure to take extra precautions with condoms. It is dangerous to have unprotected sex with more than one person as the risk of STIs are increased.

If your vagina is sensitive and you are finding sexual intercourse painful then opt for a lubricant there is no reason why a dry vagina should stop you from this intimate bonding time with your partner.

Wrapping Up

Why can I not get wet while pregnant? I think it’s clear that there are several reasons for vaginal dryness in pregnancy. The most typical being hormonal imbalance.

If your symptoms worsen or you notice spotting then seek immediate advice from your midwife or OBGYN. They will be able to examine and suggest the best course of treatment.

Vaginal dryness can be irritating especially if it’s alongside other pregnancy symptoms but know that it can be normal and doesn’t always have to be doom and gloom.

You may notice our vagina is usually dry in the first and third trimesters as your hormones are drastically altering, remember to maintain cleanliness of your lady parts without overdoing it. Always seek advice if you are concerned.