If you’ve ever stuck it out during a hookup that was totally painful, unfortunately, you’re not alone. It’s now 2025 and yet women are still gritting their teeth through painful sex. Whether it’s because of societal pressure, a lack of education, or just plain embarrassment, many women don’t talk about it — and worse, try to figure out WTF is wrong. But what if I told you that there was a totally free, readily available potential solution? I’m talking about water.
Painful sex can be the result of a variety of causes, ranging from underlying medical conditions to stress or even the wrong choice of lube (water-based is where it’s at!). But if all else is well, it could just be as simple as not being hydrated enough.
Before you roll your eyes and sip your iced coffee instead, it’s important to understand that proper hydration keeps your body (and vaginal tissues) happy, healthy, and elastic.
How Does Hydration Affect Vaginal Health?
“When you’re well-hydrated, your body’s tissues, including vaginal tissues, stay elastic, healthy, and more naturally lubricated,” Dr. Amanda Olson, DPT, PRPC, president and CCO at Intimate Rose, explains. Translation? Water keeps things soft and ready for action.
Dehydration, on the other hand, throws your body into survival mode. When your body isn’t getting enough water, it prioritizes the water you are intaking into essential functions like blood flow and organ health. Guess what gets left behind? Your poor, parched vag. So, while you’re chugging your cold brew, don’t forget to balance it out with some actual water.
How Much Water Should I Be Drinking To Stay Healthy (And Wet)?
We all want to be part of the WAP club. So to do that, you’re going to have to up your water intake. The general rule of thumb is eight glasses a day, but let’s be honest: most of us aren’t counting. Dr. Olson recommends drinking more water, especially if you’re working out, sitting in the sun, or indulging in a margarita (alcohol is a notorious dehydrator).
And if you’re one of those weird people (I’m sorry, but you are!) who’s “not a fan of water,” thankfully, you always have the option to add things like lemon, cucumber, or berries. Even if you can’t make it “taste good,” just do it — at least for the sake of your vagina.
What Do I Do If Hydration Isn’t The Issue?
The reality is that while hydration can be a huge factor, it isn’t the end-all-be-all solution for frictionless sex. If you’re constantly guzzling water and still experiencing pain, it’s time to consider other reasons.
Dr. Olson suggests a few things. First: foreplay, people! We should not be skipping foreplay (even for quickies). Foreplay increases blood flow and natural lubrication. Speaking of… lube, lube, and more lube. There is no shame in the lube game. Just make sure you’re using options without fragrances and additives.
Your overall mental and physical health also play a big part in how wet you get. If you’re super stressed and tensed, unfortunately your vagina will follow suit. And if you’re not getting enough Omega-3s and vitamin E, again, it’ll reflect poorly on your vaginal health.
And if all else fails, the issue may be something more chronic, like tight pelvic muscles or scar tissue. If that sounds like you, pelvic floor therapy is always an option.
At the end of the day, painful sex is never something you should just “live with.” Whether you need to drink more water or see a specialist, let’s all add “vaginal health” to our top list of priorities for this year. You deserve a sex life that feels as good as it looks in the movies — and your vagina will thank you for it.
