Evening Primrose Oil for Vaginal Atrophy

Hi Aunt Vadge,

I have read that primrose oil gel caps inserted vaginally are a good treatment for vaginal dryness.

My concern was if the gel capsule would dissolve in the vagina since they are meant to be taken orally.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
R.
Age: 52
Country: United States

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Hi there R,

There are several types of capsules, with oils being in gelatin capsules, as opposed to vegetable capsules. Gelatin capsules are made out of animal gelatin (collagen), and won’t weaken or leak during their shelf-life. Vegetable capsules, by contrast, will soften and eventually start to leak if oil is stored in them for any length of time.

Vegetable capsules dissolve in moisture and stomach acid, while gelatin capsules require stomach acid or heat to dissolve.

You can use gelatin capsules vaginally since the melting point for gelatin is body temperature. There is no harm in using gelatin capsules vaginally unless there is another predisposing reason, such as an allergy or sensitivity to the ingredients in the capsule, either the capsule itself or its contents.

We’ve written about different sorts of capsules and how they work.

Evening primrose oil is used vaginally or orally, often to help induce or speed up labour.

Go nuts!

Best,
Aunt Vadge