Almost all clinical research on lubricants has been done with postmenopausal women or women treated for cancer, with vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
The main limitation
The trials are small and have been carried out with very specific populations (postmenopausal women, people with cancer) and over a few weeks.
In practice
The evidence comes from clinical settings, with follow-up by healthcare professionals. If dryness or pain are frequent or persist, it is reasonable to speak to a professional about it.
What kind of studies there are
Syntheses of studies 1
Randomised trials 2
Observational 1
Descriptive or expert opinion 1
We classify each study by its design. A synthesis of many studies or a randomised trial supports firmer conclusions than a survey or an expert opinion. The design does not tell you whether a result is good or bad.
What the studies say overall
Almost all clinical research on lubricants has been done with postmenopausal women or women treated for cancer, with vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
In this group, a network meta-analysis of trials found that vaginal lubricant was more effective than a sham treatment at reducing sexual dysfunction measured with the FSFI questionnaire, although its effect was smaller than that of oestrogens and laser in the same analysis.
A randomised trial with postmenopausal women with pain during intercourse found that lubricant gel used before intercourse improved sexual function and pain to a degree comparable to a vaginal oestrogen.
For women with breast cancer being treated with tamoxifen, a small trial observed an improvement in sexual function after using lubricant for 30 days.
And a comparison of four clinical guidelines for cancer survivors indicates that all of them recommend non-hormonal lubricants or moisturisers as the first option for vaginal dryness.
Where they disagree
An analysis of the placebo groups of two trials found no differences in cell maturity or vaginal pH between those who used lubricant and those who did not. In other words, lubricants have been studied for their effect on comfort during intercourse, not for changing the tissue.
Limits of the evidence
The trials are small and have been carried out with very specific populations (postmenopausal women, people with cancer) and over a few weeks. The meta-analysis compares treatments indirectly.
The results cannot simply be extrapolated to young women without symptoms, and the studies do not compare brands or types of lubricant.
The studies, one by one
We have gathered 5 verified studies. Each summary is our own; the quotation in inverted commas is taken word for word from the original abstract, in English.
What they found: Vaginal lubricant was more effective than sham treatment at reducing sexual dysfunction, with a resulting increase in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. (Sarmento et al., 2024)
Population Postmenopausal women with symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopauseJournalInt J Gynaecol Obstet
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“vaginal lubricant (SMD 1.37, 95% CI 0.54-2.20) were more effective than sham for reducing sexual dysfunction, with a consequent increase in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).” Sarmento et al., 2024
What they found: In a randomised trial with 116 postmenopausal women with pain during intercourse, the group that used lubricant gel before intercourse improved their sexual function (except orgasm) and pain to a degree comparable to vaginal estriol. (de Paula et al., 2025)
Population 116 sexually active postmenopausal women with dyspareuniaJournalMenopause
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“Lubricant use also enhanced sexual function (except orgasm) and reduced pain comparably to estriol.” de Paula et al., 2025
What they found: In a trial with 52 women with breast cancer being treated with tamoxifen and vaginal dryness, those who used a lubricant for 30 days went from 88.9% to 55.6% with sexual dysfunction (the polyacrylic acid group improved more). (Juliato et al., 2017)
Population 52 women with breast cancer being treated with tamoxifen and vaginal drynessJournalClimacteric
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
What they found: In an analysis of the placebo groups of trials with postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy, those who used lubricants showed no differences in vaginal physiological effects (cell maturity and pH) compared with those who did not. (Constantine et al., 2014)
Population Postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal atrophy (placebo groups from clinical trials)JournalJ Sex Med
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“There was no significant difference in physiologic effects between placebo lubricant users vs. nonusers in either 12-week study.” Constantine et al., 2014
What they found: A comparison of four clinical guidelines for cancer survivors indicates that all of them recommend non-hormonal lubricants or moisturisers as the first option for vaginal dryness. (Bhinder et al., 2025)
Population Women who are cancer survivors (comparative review of clinical guidelines)JournalSupport Care Cancer
Verbatim quotation from the original abstract (in English)
“All guidelines strongly recommend non-hormonal therapies (i.e., lubricants or moisturizers) as first-line treatments for managing vaginal dryness.” Bhinder et al., 2025
The evidence comes from clinical settings, with follow-up by healthcare professionals. If dryness or pain are frequent or persist, it is reasonable to speak to a professional about it.
The studies do not allow us to say which type or brand of lubricant is better: they do not compare them with each other.
If you have pain or discomfort, speak to a healthcare professional.
