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Vaginal dryness can affect females of any age, but it often develops during menopause. Replens is a personal care brand that sells vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to help alleviate the dryness.
Although vaginal dryness is a common health concern, people may not be aware that there are treatments available. Individuals can purchase vaginal moisturizers and lubricants over the counter, which they can use to reduce pain and discomfort from vaginal dryness.
This article looks at the Replens brand in more detail, discusses its reputation and customer reviews, and looks into how effective Replens products may be.
Replens is a company that sells vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to help reduce the symptoms of vaginal dryness. Its parent company is Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Church & Dwight owns other well-known health and personal care brands, such as Nair, First Response, Trojan, and RepHresh.
Below is a quick look at the benefits and drawbacks of Replens products.
Pros
- estrogen-free
- cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- safe to use with most types of condoms
- fast-acting
Cons
- not suitable for silicone sex toys
- linked to yeast infections by some users
- potentially messy
People who are experiencing vaginal dryness could benefit from Replens products.
The products are free from estrogen, meaning people who cannot have hormone therapies can safely use Replens products.
This
- known or suspected breast cancer
- known or suspected estrogen-based cancer, such as uterine cancer
- current or previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- current or previous pulmonary embolism (PE)
- history of a blood clotting disorder
- active or previous myocardial infarction or stroke
- chronic liver disease or dysfunction
- migraine with aura
Vaginal dryness can affect people of any age. A
Vaginal dryness can develop when estrogen drops after childbirth, during breastfeeding or cancer treatment, or when a person takes antiestrogen drugs.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), cold and allergy medications and certain antidepressants can dry vaginal tissue. An autoimmune syndrome called Sjögren’s disease can also cause vaginal dryness.
The symptoms of vaginal dryness include:
- itching
- burning
- pain
- discomfort
- pain during sex
- repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- urinating more often
A person may develop vaginal dryness during menopause, and
A person that already has vaginal dryness may find that it
A 2016 study into the prevalence of vaginal dryness found that
Replens offers three products:
- Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer
- Replens Moisture Restore External Comfort Gel
- Replens Silky Smooth Lubricant
Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer
This product is an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal moisturizer. The website states that it is cleared for use as a personal vaginal lubricant by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The moisturizer contains a bioadhesive that helps the product attach to dry vaginal cells to deliver its moisturizing effects over a longer period of time.
According to the Replens website, this moisturizing treatment works in the following way:
- It provides moisture to dry vaginal cells as soon as it is applied.
- It then provides moisture for up to 3 days at a time.
- Dry cells and the previously applied Replens product leave the body naturally when it generates new cells. A person may then need to apply more Replens product.
Replens Moisture Restore External Comfort Gel
This gel is a daily moisturizer that aims to reduce irritation on the external skin around the vagina.
It uses a blend of moisturizers and vitamins called HydraPro Complex to nourish the skin. According to the Replens website, the formula includes vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 to trap water on the skin’s surface.
Replens recommends that a person use this product daily to make the following activities more comfortable:
- sex
- walking
- prolonged sitting
- exercising
- bike riding
Replens Silky Smooth Lubricant
This silicone lubricant’s key function is to make sex more comfortable. It can be used before or during sex.
The company claims the product lasts longer than water-based lubricants, is free from preservatives, and is safe to use with natural rubber latex, polyisoprene, and polyurethane condoms.
However, it is not recommended for use with silicone sex toys.
Overall, customers offer mixed reviews of Replens products, with some users finding success and others finding them ineffective.
On Walmart’s website, the current user rating is 4.1 stars out of 5 for the Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer based on over 16,000 reviews. Some individuals report that the product is messy and difficult to apply, while others found that it had a strong moisturizing effect that helped make vaginal dryness less painful.
The Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer currently has a rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon based on 6,449 ratings. Of these reviews, 73% gave the product 5 stars, and 8% gave the product 2 stars or fewer.
Positive reviews mention that the product is easy to use and is an effective moisturizer. Negative reviews mention an unpleasant residue and that some users developed a yeast infection.
Reviews of the Replens lubricant mention it is effective at making sex less painful for those experiencing vaginal dryness. Negative reviews mention it stains fabrics, has an oily feel, and can produce unusual residues. Some users reported UTIs and yeast infections after using the product.
The table below compares four vaginal moisturizers.
| Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer | Bonafide Revaree Vaginal Moisturizer | Vagisil Internal Vaginal Moisturizing Gel | Luvena Vaginal Moisturizer and Lubricant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | around $15 | around $60 | around $17 | around $20 |
| Form | cream | suppository | gel | cream |
| How to use | apply product inside the vagina with the reusable applicator once every 2–3 days | place vaginal insert inside the vagina every 2–3 days before bedtime | apply product inside the vagina with applicators provided once every 3 days | apply product inside the vagina with applicators provided once every 3 days before bedtime |
To use Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer, a person uses an applicator to apply the product directly into the vagina. The applicator makes sure a person is using the right amount of moisturizer.
Replens Restore External Comfort Gel is for external vaginal use only. To apply the product, a person should put a small amount of product on their finger and apply it to their skin.
Replens Silky Smooth Lubricant is for use during sex and is not meant to alleviate the symptoms of vaginal dryness long term. To use the product, a person should apply it directly to their genitals before sex.
The company recommends washing fabrics, such as bedsheets, with soap and warm water if the product gets on them during sex. Replens also warns that the product may stain some materials.
A person should always follow the directions provided with the product to ensure they use it correctly.
It is important to note that none of the Replens products are suitable methods of birth control. Learn more about birth control here.
Replens claims its products do not contain estrogen, preservatives, parabens, propylene glycol, or petrochemicals.
However, some people may experience side effects when using Replens products.
There are 18 reports concerning Replens products on the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS), including:
- vaginal infections
- painful urination
- burning
- unusual vaginal discharge
- muscle spasms
Those with sensitive skin may wish to test the product on a small area of skin before using it around or inside their vagina to check if any irritation develops.
A person can discuss using Replens with a doctor if they would like advice on its safety and whether it is the right product for them. If they develop skin irritation or other symptoms after using a Replens product, they should stop using it and seek medical advice.
Replens states that individuals should not use its lubricant with silicone sex toys, as doing so can degrade the material, potentially allowing bacteria to grow.
Additionally, Replens warns that a person should not use its personal lubricant when trying to conceive, as it can harm sperm. Instead, a person may wish to try Replens Pre-Seed Fertility Lubricant.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends a person contact a doctor if:
- they have had vaginal dryness for a few weeks
- the condition is affecting everyday life
- they have unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding
- they bleed between periods or after sex
- dryness does not improve with home remedies
Below are some frequently asked questions about Replens products.
Do doctors recommend Replens?
Replens claims that doctors recommend its products.
Replens products are clinically tested, and the results of these studies suggest that Replens products are effective.
The FDA has cleared Replens products as safe to use for their intended purposes.
How long does it take for Replens to work?
Replens products work instantly. A person may have to top up the Replens moisturizer every 3 days and the external gel once per day.
What are the side effects of using Replens?
Some users report unusual discharge, vaginal bleeding, and yeast infections after using Replens products. If a person does experience unwanted side effects from Replens products, they should stop using the product and seek medical advice.
Will Replens cause a yeast infection?
Yeast infections develop due to an excess of yeast in the vagina, and they are sometimes caused by lubricants.
The Replens website states that the company is not aware of any scientific research showing that the Replens Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant causes yeast infections. Additionally, clinical studies cited by Replens did not show that its vaginal moisturizer caused yeast infections. However, all of these studies are 20 years old or more.
If a person experiences symptoms of a yeast infection, which can
Replens is an established and popular personal care brand that aims to tackle the symptoms of vaginal dryness, a common condition that can affect people of any age. Replens has been cleared by the FDA, and clinical studies have found Replens products to be effective.
Reviews are generally positive, but some users do report side effects after using Replens products.
Replens does not use hormones in its products, so they can be safe to use for people who cannot have hormone therapy. If a person finds that their vaginal dryness does not improve after using Replens products, they may wish to contact a doctor to discuss alternative treatments.