Allergies are one of the most common chronic illnesses in the U.S. – more than 50 million Americans experience various types of allergies each year. But did you know that antihistamines, one of the most popular class of drugs used to treat allergies, can cause vaginal dryness?

In honor of Sexual Health Awareness Month, We are proud to support the Center for Reproductive Rights, a global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person.

Maybe you’re feeling extra dry because of hormonal changes during (and after) pregnancy. Or maybe you’ve just started having sex and you are learning about the kinds of touch that turn you on. Or maybe you’re having a dry spell because a medication you’re taking affects your body’s natural lubrication. You might even be going through menopause, a dramatic change of the body’s hormonal landscape, and you’d like a little more lubrication.

Summer is here, and with it comes warm weather, beach vacations, sand, sun, saltwater, and …vaginal infections?! Nothing puts a damper on the fun like an infection. But why do doctors and other sexual health experts see such a spike in these infections during the warm summer months?

Sexually transmitted infections are here to stay. In 2019, the number of STIs reported by the CDC hit historic highs and continues to climb. The threats of multi-drug resistance for bacteria like gonorrhea and the discovery of new viruses like Zika which can linger in semen for months make it clear that we need to rethink our approach to the truth that sex and sexual infections are clearly inseparable.

Have you ever started a new birth control, and then noticed that things started feeling a little…off? Turns out, you aren’t the only one! More women are noticing vaginal dryness as a result of their birth control regimen. Don’t worry, though – there are plenty of things you can do to start feeling better.