Rebecca’s Story
Like millions of women, Kegel Queen® member Rebecca* suffered with vaginal dryness after menopause. Nothing she couldn’t live with, just a minor daily discomfort.
Then, to address a completely unrelated health issue, Rebecca — who happens to be a medical doctor — started taking coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, also called ubiquinone) is a chemical found in every cell in your body. It’s an essential part of your cells’ ability to turn oxygen and food into energy, and it acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage. The amount of CoQ10 in your body decreases as you get older.
Rebecca was surprised to notice that after she began to take CoQ10, her vaginal dryness was greatly improved: more moisture, less discomfort. She wasn’t making any other diet or lifestyle changes at the time.
Was this a result of CoQ10? Was it just a coincidence?
As scientific evidence goes, Rebecca’s story is a complete non-starter. This is one person and one person’s subjective observation, not a controlled study of dozens or hundreds of women. Any number of factors in Rebecca’s body, or her environment, could have changed to affect her vaginal tissue without her being aware of the connection. The changes in her vagina could have had absolutely nothing to do with CoQ10, and we’ll never know for sure whether the CoQ10 was relevant or not.
Rebecca’s story is not evidence. It leads not to a conclusion, but to a question: could CoQ10 help some women relieve vaginal dryness?
I’m all about the science, but I’m bringing this completely non-scientific question to you because postmenopausal vaginal dryness is such an enormous problem — affecting about half of women. If raising the question leads to an exploration that could help someone, that’s fantastic. And if you have any experience to share, be sure to let me know!
How could coQ10 affect vaginal lubrication?
CoQ10 helps cells function better, as mentioned above, in two ways: by supporting their ability to generate energy, and by helping to protect them from damage. It’s not science, but it’s not crazy, to imagine that if the cells that make up the vaginal wall are functioning better, there may be less dryness.
What else can affect vaginal lubrication?
This is a subject for an entire blog, or an entire book. And because it’s such a common problem, it’s always one of the most popular topics on the live Kegel Queen® members-only Q & A and our members-only website.
Some triggers for vaginal dryness are normal parts of life, such as hormonal changes with menopause or breastfeeding. Other factors associated with vaginal dryness include smoking, dehydration, excessive douching, certain medications and medical treatments, some immune disorders, and other medical conditions such as diabetes and some nervous system disorders. Even stress can affect vaginal lubrication.
Some Kegel Queen® members have reported increased lubrication after they join the Kegel Queen® Program and start doing Real Kegels That Really Work,™ probably because of increased circulation to the vagina. Could antioxidants, like CoQ10 and others, ease vaginal dryness? Could regular whole-body exercise help by increasing circulation, reducing stress, or improving cellular function in other ways?
These are important questions that don’t yet have good answers. I’ll put my imaginary scientific research team to work answering them right away!
Your Next Steps
If you’re interested in trying CoQ10, to find out if it affects your vaginal dryness or for any health reason, talk with your health care provider. Yes, CoQ10 naturally occurs in all your body’s cells, but CoQ10 supplementation can cause side effects, or interactions with certain medications. And if you’re suffering from uncomfortable vaginal dryness either before or after menopause, please discuss it with your health care team to make sure it’s not a sign of a more significant health issue.
And when you’re ready to join the Kegel Queen® Program, you’ll have access to exclusive articles, information, and interactive professional educational support, including real-time live Q & A, to address vaginal lubricants and moisturizers, laser and LED treatments, vaginal estrogen, and every aspect of correct kegel technique.
To find out whether the Kegel Queen® Program might be right for you, your next easy step is my free webinar: How to Beat Prolapse Surgery and Stay Out of Adult Diapers: These 11 Tricks May Surprise You (and Amaze Your Doctor!)
*Name changed for privacy