It is not an unnatural occurrence - 40 percent of postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness and an undetermined number experience this condition following childbirth and breast cancer. These numbers remain a mystery, because so few women are willing to discuss this issue with a doctor and many surveys exclude the latter two groups.

Vaginal lubrication is linked to insufficient levels of estrogen, which tend to plummet during menopause, following pregnancy and with treatments for breast cancer. This condition, however, is something women should be discussing with their doctors. Vaginal dryness can be a result of more serious conditions, such as the autoimmune disease, Sjogren's syndrome, or it could be caused by certain medications, like antidepressants. 

Regardless of the cause, intercourse can become very painful.  Women may lose the desire to have sex or endure unhealthy pain in the attempt to appease their partner. The impact on your sex life and health -mental and physical - is significant.