Is Polyglutamic Acid (PGA) Safe for Vaginal Dryness? What to Know

Menopause |
6 min read

Written By

Emma Caplan-Fisher

Published

October 26, 2026

Medically reviewed by

Alyssa Dweck MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, Chief Medical Officer

If intimacy has started to feel less comfortable during perimenopause or menopause, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Vaginal dryness is one of the more common symptoms experienced during the menopause transition, affecting up to 75% of women.¹

As more women explore hormone-free management options for vaginal dryness experienced during menopause, polyglutamic acid (PGA) — a hydrating ingredient commonly found in skincare products — has started drawing interest as a possible option for supporting vaginal moisture. Research on PGA used topically suggests it's generally well tolerated,² though no published clinical trials have tested PGA specifically for vaginal use just yet.

There are other hormone-free vaginal moisturizers on the market, some of which contain another popular hydrating ingredient, hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is an already well-established, effective and hormone-free ingredient that has been shown to ease vaginal dryness,³ which is why it's worth knowing how a newer ingredient, like PGA, may measure up. Keep reading to learn more about what the current research suggests, and how PGA compares to hyaluronic acid.

What Vaginal Dryness Looks Like During the Menopause Transition

As many as 75% of menopausal women may experience vaginal dryness, with about 40% reporting symptoms like pain during sex.⁴These symptoms are often related to declining estrogen levels experienced during the menopause transition, when vaginal tissue can become thinner and more easily irritated.⁵ Estrogen loss can also affect tissue integrity, blood flow, elasticity, and the balance of the vaginal microbiome.⁶

In order to manage this collection of vaginal symptoms, your healthcare provider might suggest using a vaginal moisturizer, lubricant, or low-dose local vaginal estrogen as one of several options.⁷

What is Polyglutamic Acid?

Polyglutamic acid, or PGA, is a moisture-binding ingredient currently used in skincare, haircare, and other cosmetic products. It's produced through a natural fermentation process using bacteria; the same basic process behind fermented soy foods, like natto.⁸

PGA forms a thin film on the skin's surface that helps retain water in place, and available research on skin suggests that PGA formulations haven't been associated with irritation or rashes in the testing completed so far.⁹ Studies have also shown that PGA may help skin produce more of its own natural moisture-retaining substances, sometimes called natural moisturizing factors,¹⁰which could be helpful for those dealing with vaginal dryness and associated symptoms.

A separate, more recent study looking at skin cells and a lab-grown skin model suggested that PGA had no toxic effect on the cells tested, even at fairly high concentrations. The same study found that PGA appeared to strengthen the skin's outer barrier and support the skin's own hydration-related processes.¹¹It’s important to note that this research was done on skin in lab conditions, not on vaginal tissue specifically or as part of a clinical trial. So, on its own, this doesn't tell us how PGA would behave once applied vaginally, which is why products for vaginal dryness derived from polyglutamic acid are considered newer territory.

PGA vs. Hyaluronic Acid: How Do They Compare?

Hyaluronic acid has a much longer track record than PGA, specifically for vaginal use. Hyaluronic acid vaginal dryness moisturizers are generally considered safe and don’t require a prescription from a healthcare provider.¹²

In clinical study from 2024, menopausal women struggling with genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a collection of vaginal symptoms including vaginal dryness, applied a hyaluronic acid–based vaginal moisturizer twice weekly, over a period of 12 weeks; this was done in comparison to vaginal estrogen cream. The study found no clinically meaningful differences between hyaluronic acid used vaginally, and vaginal estrogen cream after 12 weeks¹³– demonstrating the effectiveness of this hormone-free ingredient.

When you compare polyglutamic acid vs. hyaluronic acid at the ingredient level, both work similarly, where their key benefit is attracting and holding onto water.^{14, 15} But in one lab test on skin, PGA-based formulations were shown to retain more water over a two-hour period than a hyaluronic acid formulation.¹⁶

Remember, this is a single formulation-level comparison of ingredients done on skin vs. a specific study done on vaginal tissue, so it doesn't quite establish that PGA would outperform hyaluronic acid for vaginal dryness, specifically. As we can see, unlike PGA, hyaluronic acid already has vagina-specific clinical support behind it.

Is Polyglutamic Acid Safe for Vaginal Use?

Polyglutamic acid has a strong safety profile in skin research, where it's been shown to be non-irritating in the formulations tested,¹⁷ and non-toxic to the skin cells and lab-grown skin model used.¹⁸

Polyglutamic acid safety hasn't been studied as much for vaginal tissue as it has for skin generally, but that's evolving.

Why?

Vulvar skin, or the external genital skin, is more delicate than most external skin on the body.¹⁹ Additionally the vagina itself has its own unique pH balance²⁰ along with protective bacteria and a diverse microbiome,²¹so researchers are working out how well more general findings on skin may carry over to vaginal tissue, specifically.

While research in this area is still developing, there’s interest in gaining a better understanding specifically into the impact of PGA on vaginal tissue.

This means that PGA is a potentially beneficial ingredient to consider for managing vaginal dryness — one where dedicated research is just getting started as interest continues to grow. For now, hyaluronic acid has more clinical data behind it regarding its effect on vaginal dryness, while PGA remains a well-tolerated, fast-emerging ingredient to watch as more research develops around its benefits for vaginal health.

What to Try for Vaginal Dryness Relief

If vaginal dryness during the menopause transition is affecting your sex life or daily comfort, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about different vaginal dryness management options that may be right for you:²³

Hyaluronic acid vaginal moisturizers: used every few days before bed, to help maintain healthy vaginal tissue over time.
Lubricants: used just before or during sexual activity, to reduce friction and discomfort, and to enhance pleasure in the moment.
Low-dose local vaginal estrogen: available as a cream, tablet, or ring, for women who are candidates for hormone-based management in consultation with a healthcare provider.

Newer ingredients such as polyglutamic acid may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider as more research becomes available.

Don’t Struggle in Silence, Vaginal Dryness is Manageable

It’s important to remember that none of these options are one-size-fits-all, and what works for you will depend on your health history, whether you're sexually active, and your personal preferences. A healthcare provider can help you sort through what's likely to be the best option for you.

Vaginal dryness during menopause isn’t uncommon,²⁴ but it's not something you have to just live with. Polyglutamic acid for menopause-related vaginal dryness is an interesting area to watch, and more research on how PGA performs inside the vagina may emerge as interest in hormone-free options continues to grow.

In the meantime, evidence-based options like hyaluronic acid–based moisturizers remain a well-studied place to start,²⁵ and a healthcare provider can help you find an approach that fits your body and your life.

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