We all know that sex is one of the simple pleasures in life, but what happens when the passion (or your lady parts) dries up? While you might naturally have a small panic attack (don’t worry – you’re still some time off the menopause), your body being dry downstairs is likely linked to a natural enough reason. Doctor Alyssa Dweck, who is also co-author of V is for Vagina, breaks for the five factors that could be affecting your vagina: You need more foreplay It might sound obvious, but skipping on essential foreplay will leave you far from ready for a rumble in the sheets. Most women need between 10 and 15 minutes of foreplay before they are ready for the main event. Feeling neglected? Make sure to have a quiet word with your other half. Stressing Out Stressing out can cause your vagina to dry up like the Sahara desert. Try not to overthink it though, with Dweck advising: “If it [stress] doesn’t temporarily kill your libido outright, feeling anxious or pressured can make it harder to get turned on. Once the stress lifts, your juices should start flowing.” You’re On The Contraceptive Pill While the Pill can be a great form of birth control that women feel comfortable using, one side effect of that little tablet can be vaginal dryness. Feeling like you’ve lost your lubricant since changing brands? “I’ll usually advise my patients to use store-bought lubricant, or if it’s really uncomfortable, consider going off the Pill and trying another type of birth control,” says Dweck. You’ve Got The Sniffles If you’ve been battling a head cold and dosing up on over-the-counter meds, your wet season could be called to a quick halt. Dweck explains: “Over-the-counter cold and allergy formulas contain antihistamines that dry out the mucus membranes in your nose, as well as your vagina.” Once you stop taking the medication, you should be back to your usual, lubricated self. You’ve Just Had A Baby As if childbirth, breastfeeding and sleep deprivation isn’t enough to be tackling, the process of becoming a mother can include lowering levels of estrogen—the hormone responsible for maintaining vaginal lubrication. While you might not be ready any time soon to start being intimate again, after a few months and post lactating, you should feel yourself starting to naturally come back around. H/T V is for Vagina via Women’s Health