This Wasn’t in the Brochure.

Before we begin — if you’re under 18, maybe go watch a cartoon or something. We’re about to get very real about grown woman stuff. Specifically: the aftermath of a hysterectomy, and the one thing nobody warned me about. You’d think losing your uterus would be the main event, but oh no. The real plot twist? Vaginal dryness. Yep. I said it.

I had my hysterectomy in my early 20s, which meant I was thrown into surgical menopause long before I had the chance to even figure out what my body was doing naturally. One minute I was casually existing, the next I was Googling “why does it feel like I’m made of sandpaper down there.” If anyone had told me I’d be shopping for lube like skincare before the age of 25, I would’ve laughed. And then cried. And then probably laughed again because, well, hormones.

What they don’t tell you is that your ovaries are basically your body’s hydration department. Once they clock out for good — or get taken out — estrogen levels crash, and that affects everything, including your skin, your mood, your ability to tolerate your partner breathing too loud, and yes, your vaginal tissue. Suddenly, what was once soft and stretchy becomes dry, irritated, and offended by even the suggestion of tight jeans. And let’s not even get started on intimacy. Nothing makes you feel more like a shriveled Victorian widow than realizing sex now comes with a disclaimer: use lube generously or proceed with caution.

But let me tell you — you are not alone. You’re not broken. You’re just dealing with something that most people are too embarrassed to talk about. And that’s where we go wrong, because there are things that can help. Like really good lube — not the drugstore brand your boyfriend used in high school, but the high-quality, water-based or silicone kind that makes you feel like you’ve just been sponsored by a luxury spa. There are also vaginal estrogen creams or tablets that stay local (read: they don’t flood your entire body with hormones) and can make a world of difference. Your doctor can help you find the right one — and if they make you feel weird for bringing it up, find a better doctor.

Also, drink water. Like, a lot of water. It sounds basic, but hydration matters. And please, for the love of your healing vagina, don’t use harsh soaps or anything scented. That part of you is already mad. Don’t give it more reason to revolt.

The truth is, having a hysterectomy young is hard. It’s not something most people understand. You look fine on the outside, but inside your body is adjusting to a hormone crash and emotional grief all at once. And sometimes you’re just trying to make it through the day without bursting into tears or slathering yourself in estrogen cream while sobbing to Taylor Swift. Trust me, I’ve been there.

So if no one told you this part — I will. Vaginal dryness is real. And it’s okay to talk about it. Actually, it’s important to talk about it. You deserve comfort, pleasure, and to feel at home in your body again — even if that body has been through hell and back. And if you ever need someone to talk to while applying estrogen cream with the same enthusiasm as a TikTok skincare guru, I’m your girl. We’re in this together — dry patches and all.