FAQs

The vulva and vagina are skin; skin that needs moisturizing--just like

our face, hands, elbows & feet.

Before reaching menopause, both hyaluronic acid and estrogen take care

of vulva and vaginal skin cells.

In postmenopause, our skin misses these ingredients.

Moisturizing our vulva & vagina (i.e. restoring skin cells) is important so that we can sit

comfortably, move comfortably, dance, exercise and enjoy insertive sex

comfortably (with or without a partner, when & if we choose.)

Also, a healthy vulva, vagina, urethra and pelvic floor helps to prevent UTIs (urinary

tract infections), incontinence and organ prolapse.

Watch The Vulva & Vagina Dialogues

This is a community-created product; it came to be because of vagina owners (like you!) speaking up and asking for a solution! We co-created this formula with a Menopause Society-certified doctor--and tested it with members, like you.

The Vulva & Vaginal Moisturizer by Menopause Chicks was co-created by Menopause Chicks in response to 3 things:

1. Members wanted another solution for vulva & vaginal health.

2. Research from Swiss gynecologist, Dr. Petra Stute, showing hyaluronic acid to as effective as localized hormone therapy for the prevention and treatment of vaginal dryness.

3. Most available treatments target the vagina (internal) and ignore vulva health (external.)

Great question! We are working on it.

Given that less than 4% of women experiencing vulva & vaginal dryness have currently

found an easy, viable solution, that tells me that women are not discussing vulva & vaginal

health with their doctor.

And doctors are not mentioning vulva & vaginal health to their patients.

The other answer is that many health professionals might be aware of vaginal estrogen therapy--

but will only be able to prescribe if dryness/atrophy is already present; they will often not prescribe

preventatively. (Although the Vulva & Vaginal Moisturizer by Menopause Chicks™️ is approved for the treatment of vaginal dryness, I'm always on "team prevention" whenever possible!)

Hyaluronic acid moisturizer is an effective option for both prevention and treatment. And it benefits both the vulva AND the vagina.

Estrogen fluctuates in perimenopause and then declines significantly postmenopause. Estrogen is our juicy hormone--it is responsible for maintaining moisture in our eyes, mouth and joints, and for our vulva & vagina.

So estrogen decline is a common cause of vulva & vaginal dryness.

There are other causes though, and they are not all age- or stage-specific.

These include:

• hyaluronic acid decline: hyaluronic acid is produced naturally by our bodies but starts to decline in our 30s and 40s and more significantly post menopause

• oral contraceptives i.e. the birth control pill is another major culprit of dryness

• so is over-use of panty liners and paper-based absorbent pads

• hormone fluctuations postpartum

• certain medications

• cancer treatments + other health conditions

Common confusion: Vaginal health is commonly interwoven with sexual health. When we talk about vulva & vaginal skin health, we are referring to skin cells--cells similar to (but not the same as the skin on our face, elbows, inside or outside of our nose.) Skin cells will experience a decline in both hyaluronic acid and estrogen if we live long enough. Vulva & vaginal dryness is not referring to ability to get "wet" from sexual stimulation. You can have vulva and vaginal dryness and still become stimulated. This is important to communicate as some members will say to me "Oh, I don't need to moisturize yet." Moisturizing the skin of the vulva and vagina is so you can sit, move, dance, go to yoga, wear the jeans you want and enjoy insertive sex comfortably.

1. Moisturize with hyaluronic acid (Health Canada approved for the prevention and treatment of vulva & vaginal dryness.)

2. Regular pelvic floor exercise (go see a pelvic floor physiotherapist!)

3. Discuss vaginal hormone therapy options with your doctor (especially as you approach/reach postmenopause. Vaginal hormone therapy is a prescription approved for the treatment of vaginal dryness and the prevention of re-occurring UTIs.)

Also being "in-the-know" of how hormone shifts in perimenopause and hormone decline in postmenopause will impact the health of the vulva, vagina, urethra, urinary tract and overall pelvic floor will go a long way in helping you take the necessary steps to prevent vulva & vaginal dryness.

Watch the most recent version of The Vulva & Vaginal Dialogues here.

You have lots of options--and some may be used in combination, or at different ages & stages of dryness.

• Localized hormone therapy (estrogen or DHEA/prasterone) therapy is effective. (Just remember that most vaginal hormone options are designed to treat the vagina (internal) only and ignore vulva dryness..so moisturize too!)

• Moisturizing with hyaluronic acid is proven to show results equally as effective as localized estrogen therapy--and is designed for both the vulva & vagina.

• See a pelvic floor physiotherapist.

• If you are still not achieving desired results, do not give up!

• Know that it is ok to use the moisturizer liberally--especiallly to start! Many of my members (depending how long it's been since their body made its own hyaluronic acid and estrogen i.e. how long since date of menopause) will moisturize ~3 times per day knowing they will be able to taper back once dryness improves. Many other members use BOTH hyaluronic acid moisturizer as part of their regular moisturizing routine + use localized estrogen or DHEA therapy as prescribed by their physician.

Giving up and suffering in silence are NOT options! Let's work together to find a protocol and solution that is right for you. Email me at shirley@menopausechicks.com

Watch the most recent version of The Vulva & Vaginal Dialogues here.

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule produced naturally by our bodies. It supports the moisture in our eyes, mouth, joints and vaginas.

Hyaluronic acid begins to decline in our 30s & 40s--about 10% per decade. And then it goes for

a steep decline postmenopause.

Hyaluronic acid has been included in beauty products since 2008. It continues to be a common treatment used in treating joint pain.

In 2013, studies showed moisturizing with hyaluronic acid to be as effective as estrogen therapy for the treatment of vaginal dryness.

In 2021, The International Society of Gynecologists recommended moisturizing with hyaluronic acid as the first-line treatment for vaginal dryness.

The best way to apply is with your finger.

1. Put two pea-sized amounts on your finger. Insert into the vagina and use what's remaining and apply it on the vulva (clitoris to anus) OR

2. Put one pea-sized amount on your finger and insert into vagina + then put another pea-sized amount on your finger and apply to the vulva.

Although we recommend doses, it's a non-prescription moisturizer where you can decide on the protocol best for you; you can't get it wrong.

We have members who use sometimes 3 times per day to start, knowing they can taper back to

as dryness improves. Some women begin daily and then switch to every other day after dryness improves.

Two medicinal ingredients: hyaluronic acid + a little vitamin E

Health Canada-approved solution is formulated into an approved moisturizer for vulva & vaginal application. The non-medicinal ingredients include: Aqua/Water, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tocopherol Acetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate

Glycerin-free

Health Canada Approved for the treatment of vaginal dryness: 2025

Extended shelf life of up to three

NPN (Natural Product Number): 80135771

No

Yes! And many of our customers do. Localized (vaginal) estrogen therapy is

effective but it can take 3-4 months to show positive results as a treatment plan. Adding

the moisturizer (apply separately--for example, one in the morning and

one at night or every other day) can speed up results.

Besides that, hyaluronic acid starts to decline in our 30s and 40s. And estrogen declines (dramatically) at menopause. Our vulvas, vaginas + entire pelvic floors thrive on both.

Watch The Vulva & Vagina Dialogues here.

Daily to start. Twice per day or what works best for you.

Do use it away from sexual activity (it is a moisturizer, not a lubricant!) This is not because there is any risk in using it adjacent to sexual activity; it's because we want the moisturizer to be absorbed by your skin cells, instead of being rubbed off during sexual activity.

You can apply and get dressed. There is no need to lay down or wait after application.

You can, but we don't recommend it.

If you do, re-apply away from sex to give the hyaluronic acid moisturizer the opportunity to work (restore natural moisturize into the cells of vulva and vaginal wall.)

+ Remember to use a pH-friendly lubricant for sexual activity; pleasure & fun (with or without a partner!)

This moisturizer has been formulated especially for people with a vulva/vagina.

It can be used by your daughter (especially if she is on the pill or postpartum), your friend if

she is going through cancer treatments, your mom (please tell your mom! It keeps me awake at night

thinking about how many mothers and grandmothers are uncomfortable when they sit or move...or whoare NOT moving because of vaginal dryness/vaginal atrophy!)

And, it's for you, so you can sit, move & dance comfortably, avoid UTIs, prioritize your overall pelvic health, enjoy insertive sex comfortably and prevent and/or treat vulva & vaginal dryness!

100%!

Many vaginal dryness products are formulated for internal use and ignore the skin cells of the vulva. The Vulva & Vaginal Moisturizer by Menopause Chicks™️ with hyaluronic acid works to restore natural moisture back into the skin cells of both the vulva and vaginal wall.

Moisturizing the vulva and vagina helps maintain the health of the pelvic floor...and having a healthy vagina helps prevent UTIs (urinary tract infections) and incontinence and prolapse.

Regarding the urethra specifically, when we reach menopause, the urethra misses regular production of estrogen and hyaluronic acid; it gets smaller and shorter making it more susceptible to infection. The most common type of infection is urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are common, but re-occurring UTIs can be chronic in women who are in postmenopause. Ask your doctor about vaginal estrogen therapy for the prevention of re-occurring UTIs (as recommended by the Canadian and American Urological Association.

Yes, use a lubricant for pleasure & fun!

Moisturize as an investment in your current and long-term vaginal health.

Lubricants are for temporary use: to provide a barrier to friction.

Please choose a lubricant that won't alter the pH balance of your vagina.

Read more about lubricants vs. moisturizers.

Coconut oil is not a moisturizer. There are no long-term benefits to using any food-based oil for vulva & vaginal health.

If you choose to use coconut oil as a lubricant, that might be a personal choice, and know that it can offer a temporary barrier to friction but does not have moisturizing benefits; it stays on the skin's surface.

Coconut oil and other food oils have never been studied for their effects on vulva and vaginal health, even as a lubricant.

Over-the-counter options will vary so do read the list of ingredients. If hyaluronic acid is listed, how far down the list is it (that means there is a minimum amount in the formula.) Again, be aware of any products that only treat the vagina and ignore the skin cells of the vulva. Choose something with a formula approved by the FDA/Health Canada.

You do need to take care of your vulva and vagina, urethra and pelvic floor for life.

After we reach menopause, our bodies will never make hyaluronic acid or estrogen in the same quality or quantity it used to when our cycles were regular.

You can. (I use to use it to moisturize my dog's nose!)

However, this particular product has been formulated and is Health Canada approved for the tissues of the vulva and vagina, which have a unique skin cell makeup compared to other areas of the body; the inside of our forearm, the elbow, the face, etc. For this reason, it is not recommended for facial use.

And while I have you on this topic: please do not use anything on the vulva or vagina that is not designed or approved to be there!

While everyone is at a different age and stage, the recommended dose + our new 100 mL size is intended to last ~2 months. The approved shelf life is up to 3 years.

Everyone is at a different age and stage of dryness.

Applying moisturizer to healthy skin (your forearm, for example) is not likely elicit any reaction.

But if you had really dry, cracked elbows, for example, and you applied a moisturizer or treatment, you would likely experience a tingling sensation or reaction.

The same can be true for the skin cells of the vulva and vagina.

If you are in prevention mode, you may not notice anything with application.

If you are already experiencing vulva and vaginal dryness (let's say it's been a while since you reached menopause), you may notice a reaction when first applying the Vulva & Vaginal Moisturizer by Menopause Chicks™️. In most cases, according to our members, this goes away in a few days as healing progresses.

If you have any concerns at all, do consult your doctor to rule out infection, allergic reaction, or if you have any questions at all, you can email me at shirley@MenopauseChicks.com