If you have vaginal dryness
Whilst vaginal dryness is most common in the post-menopausal years, it is known to occur in roughly 17% of women aged 18-50 before the menopause begins. This is usually due to reasons that aren't hormonal, such as harsh soaps and chemicals. Additionally, if you are underweight, your ovaries may not work properly and the oestrogen level will be low, meaning that every bit of your vaginal function and libido will be affected.
The drop in oestrogen that occurs around menopause or for these other reasons means the levels of healthy elastic collagen are reduced - the same material keeping our skin plump on our face also works 'down there'. Eating for the health of your vaginal skin is similar to eating for the skin on your body and face.
"Losing weight either through excessive dieting or excessive exercise can make the ovaries stop working, as nature decides that you are not in the best of shape to have a baby. The vagina is dependent on oestrogen to keep the tissues plump and pink and perky, so if your ovaries are not working well, your vagina will suffer. In turn, the vaginal tissues get thin and dry."
It is therefore important to keep your weight healthy. Aside from ensuring you are eating enough to maintain a healthy weight, foods rich in plant oestrogen could also help you maintain moisture levels. Isoflavones found in soya are 'phytooestrogens' or plant oestrogens that may some studies suggest may mimic the effect of oestrogen in the body. They can be advised against in women with certain types of breast cancer.
Root vegetables such as parsnips and turnips contain a lot of plant oestrogen too."
Other sources of phytoestrogens include lentils, chick peas, fennel and flaxseed so incorporating these sensibly and not excessively into a well balanced diet may make a difference to your symptoms.
With this in mind, while these phytoestrogens will help boost your levels a little, in order to keep the vagina well-nourished, you would have to eat them all day every day.