Free Book Excerpt from "The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health"

Irritants and allergy

If your skin is reacting to a substance that is irritating or to which you are allergic, you may have to do some work to find the problem. The treatment for allergy can also cause drying. Older antihistamines (called first-generation H1 blockers), prescription or over-the-counter, if taken on a regular basis can dry out all tissues, including the Vs… Other medications can also have drying effects. Read the package inserts; they are not going to talk about V dryness, but look for the word anticholinergic. This means the drug dries up respiratory secretions, causes constipation—and may contribute to V dryness.