With very little scientific evidence to back it up, coconut oil may not be the best for vaginal dryness, though it’s considered generally safe to use on the skin for moisture. Just make sure to patch test first.

Coconut oil has already made waves in the beauty world for its moisturizing effects on hair and skin. Its soothing benefits aren’t limited to those spots, though.

More and more people are turning to coconut oil to ease vaginal discomfort. But not everyone may see that it benefits them.

A 2023 survey and pilot study of 53 people with vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (VDD) found that 6 months of treatment with virgin coconut oil, used according to the CocoRelief protocol, provided significant VDD relief.

Specifically, 83% of participants reported that virgin coconut oil helped improve vaginal dryness, and 87% of participants reported that it helped improve the duration of vaginal moisture.

However, beyond this study, little research exists on using coconut oil as a vaginal lubricant.

Generally, it’s considered safe to apply coconut oil to external skin. Anecdotal accounts suggest that internal use may be beneficial, but you should discuss this with your doctor before use.

While virgin coconut oil may not contain chemical additives, it’s still a foreign substance to your body. You should always perform a skin patch test first. This allows you to determine how your skin will react.

Directions

  1. Rub a small amount of coconut oil on the inside of your forearm.
  2. If you don’t experience any redness, itching, and other irritation or skin discoloration within 24 hours, it should be safe to apply elsewhere.
  • Vaginal pH: Anything put around or in your vagina can affect your vaginal pH. It isn’t harmful to have an unbalanced pH now and then, but it can increase your risk of infection.
  • Contraception: Oil-based lubricants can weaken or break condoms. This puts you and your partner at risk for sexually transmitted infections. This breakdown also increases your risk of pregnancy if you’re using condoms as your primary means of birth control.
  • Conception: Coconut oil also isn’t the best for sperm travel. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, you may want to explore other alternatives.
  • Stains: Coconut oil is generally messy. If you aren’t careful, it may stain your sheets or clothes.

You should always talk with your doctor before trying any alternative remedy. They can discuss any possible side effects or interactions.

And remember: You should always do a skin patch test before applying coconut oil to your vaginal area.

Topical coconut oil

It’s generally considered safe to apply coconut oil liberally to the external skin of your vagina. If you want to use coconut oil internally, talk with your doctor beforehand.

You can purchase coconut oil in liquid or solid form. You can melt solidified coconut oil in the palm of your hands with just the heat of your body and rub a desired amount onto your skin.

You may consider wearing a panty liner to avoid staining your underwear.

If you choose to use coconut oil as a vaginal lubricant, look for unprocessed pure virgin coconut oil. Organic varieties have also been exposed to fewer pesticides. Make sure to read the labels carefully.

Coconut oil may help lubricate your vagina after one application, but you’ll need to reapply as your symptoms return. Reapplication is the only way to keep the area moisturized.

Oral coconut oil

Consuming coconut oil may help fight UTIs and other infections. But taking coconut orally may or may not help with vaginal dryness, so keep an eye on your symptoms.

It’s safe to include coconut oil in your diet if you aren’t allergic. Note, though, that each tablespoon of oil contains 9.5 grams (g) of saturated fat.

Current American Heart Association recommendations are to consume no more than 13 g of saturated fat each day.

How you consume the oil is up to you. Some people take it straight off a spoon, while others melt it into a warm beverage.

Drinking coconut water

Coconut oil and coconut water are different:

  • The oil comes from processing the coconut meat.
  • The water comes from the inside of an immature coconut.

Like coconut oil, coconut water may help flush out bacteria. It may also help relieve dehydration, which can worsen vaginal dryness.

You can drink as much coconut water as you like — just remember to check the nutrition label and keep your overall calorie count in mind.

Unlike water, coconut water contains calories and nutrients that count toward your daily intake. Some variations may also include added sugars and other artificial flavors or sweeteners.

If you’ve tried coconut oil for vaginal dryness and found that it didn’t help or want to explore other treatment options, speak with your doctor. They may recommend alternative solutions, such as:

Unprocessed, pure virgin coconut oil may help with vaginal dryness. But any benefits for vaginal dryness are based mostly on anecdotal evidence.

While it’s considered generally safe to apply topically and is well-known for its moisturizing properties, speak with your doctor before using it in or around your vagina.