If you’re noticing symptoms like dry mouth, cracked lips, a sore throat or persistent thirst, it could be linked to menopause. These symptoms might not be top-of-mind when you think of menopause, but they’re more common than you’d expect. Let’s dig into why dry mouth happens during menopause, how to manage it, and when to speak to a healthcare provider.

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is thought to be triggered by the drop in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause. It can feel like persistent dryness or soreness in your mouth and throat.

Dry mouth is also linked to reduced saliva production, and in some cases, it overlaps with burning mouth syndrome. It may also lead to dental issues like bad breath, bleeding gums, tooth decay, and sensitivity.

How common is dry mouth during menopause?

While more research is needed, one study found that 43% of perimenopausal and menopausal people reported oral discomfort.

Dry mouth during menopause is thought to happen because of:

• Lower estrogen levels, which reduce blood flow to salivary glands and decrease saliva production
• Lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, and caffeine intake that can worsen dry mouth symptoms
• Mental health conditions, including anxiety, which are more common during menopause and can contribute to dry mouth
• Medications like antihistamines, hormone therapies, bronchodilators, and blood pressure medications are linked to more than 90% of dry mouth cases
• Medical treatments like radiotherapy may also cause dry mouth

Read more about the stages of menopause.

What are the signs of a dry mouth?

Dry mouth can show up in ways you might not expect. Some signs are subtle, while others can affect your daily comfort, especially when eating or speaking. If you’re noticing any of the following, it might be time to look at whether menopause is playing a role.

1. Persistent dry or sore sensation in the mouth
2. Cracked lips or sore throat
3. Constant thirst
4. Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
5. Dental issues like decay, bad breath, or gum discomfort

Tips to manage dry mouth during menopause

Cut back on alcohol, tea, and coffee

Alcohol, caffeine, and the tannins in tea can make dry‑mouth symptoms worse, reducing saliva flow and drying out mouth tissues more quickly. Try swapping in water, herbal tea, or decaf options and monitor how your mouth responds.

Avoid smoking

Long‑term smoking reduces salivary gland output, making dry mouth more likely and often more severe. Quitting or cutting back smoking can help improve moisture in the mouth and ease associated discomfort.

Breathe through your nose, not your mouth

It might sound odd, but breathing primarily through your mouth can dry out the delicate tissues inside your mouth. If nasal breathing is difficult, this might be a hidden contributor to your symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether nasal obstruction, allergy, or sleep‑related breathing issues may be playing a role.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration is a key contributor to dry mouth. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your entire mouth and throat moist. Carry a bottle of water, take regular sips, and avoid relying solely on thirst to tell you when you need fluids.

Keep up your dental hygiene

Saliva plays a critical role in protecting your teeth and gums. If you’re producing less saliva, you’re more vulnerable to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Brush and floss daily, see your dentist regularly, and mention your menopause status so your dentist knows to monitor you for dryness‑related issues.

Use sugar‑free sweets or chewing gum

Chewing stimulates your salivary glands and helps trigger saliva production. Sugar-free gum or lozenges are a smart choice. You might also try sucking on ice chips or partially frozen fruit (like melon or pineapple) to keep your mouth moist and reduce discomfort.

Look after your lips

Dry mouth often leads to cracked or painful lips because the tissues become more exposed and irritated. Using a safe lip balm or moisture‑barrier product like petroleum jelly can help protect your lips, relieve discomfort, and improve how your mouth feels overall.

Can hormone therapy (HT) help?

Research on the use of HT for dry mouth is still emerging, and the evidence is inconclusive so far.

However, HT has been shown to relieve other menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disruption, and mood changes. If you’re considering HT, talk to your healthcare provider about whether it might be the right option for you. HT isn’t suitable for everyone, and your provider can walk you through the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Read more on HT risks and benefits.

Dry mouth and menopause FAQs

Why does dry mouth happen during menopause?

Estrogen plays a role in keeping your mouth and salivary glands healthy. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, blood flow to your salivary glands may decrease, leading to less saliva production. This can result in a persistent dry, sore, or sticky feeling in your mouth or throat. These changes can also raise your risk of other oral symptoms, like burning mouth syndrome, bad breath, or tooth sensitivity.

Does dry mouth affect your immediate health?

Yes. A dry mouth may seem like a small issue, but it can have a real impact on daily life. You may find it harder to speak, swallow, or enjoy food. Some people notice changes to their sense of taste, which can feel disorienting. And because saliva helps protect your teeth and mouth, a drop in saliva can make you more vulnerable to pain, discomfort, and infection.

Does dry mouth affect your long-term health?

Absolutely. Saliva plays a vital role in maintaining oral health by neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and controlling bacteria. When you have less saliva, you’re more likely to experience:

• Tooth decay and cavities
• Gum disease
• Bad breath
• Mouth infections
• Cracked lips or mouth sores

These effects can build up over time, so it’s important to get support early.

When should you see a healthcare provider?

If dry mouth symptoms are persistent or disruptive, speak to your healthcare provider or dentist. They can help figure out what’s causing the issue and recommend the right treatment options for you.

Seek urgent medical advice if you notice:

• Mouth sores or ulcers that don’t heal
• Significant pain in your mouth or jaw
• Trouble swallowing
• Swelling, lumps, or any changes inside your mouth
• Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or other systemic symptoms

Learn more – the latest dry mouth and menopause research

• Chran, M., Maxwell, L. Management strategies for patients with xerostomia (dry mouth). ScholarWorks (4/12/2015).
• Cleveland Clinic, Dry Mouth 
• Dahiya P, Kamal R, Kumar M, Niti, Gupta R, Chaudhary K. Burning mouth syndrome and menopause. Int J Prev Med. 2013 Jan;4(1):15-20. PMID: 23411996; PMCID: PMC3570906.
• Dutt P, Chaudhary S, Kumar P. Oral health and menopause: a comprehensive review on current knowledge and associated dental management. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2013 Jul;3(3):320-3. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.117926. PMID: 24116306; PMCID: PMC3793432.
• Dyasanoor S, Saddu SC. Association of Xerostomia and Assessment of Salivary Flow Using Modified Schirmer Test among Smokers and Healthy Individuals: A Preliminutesary Study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Jan;8(1):211-3. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/6650.3846. Epub 2014 Jan 12. PMID: 24596777; PMCID: PMC3939554.
• Healthline: How to Treat Dry Mouth at Home
• Mese H, Matsuo R. Salivary secretion, taste and hyposalivation. J Oral Rehabil. 2007;34:711–23. PMID:17824883, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2842.2007.01794.x
• Nilius, G., Franke, K.J., Domanski, U. et al. Effect of APAP and heated humidification with a heated breathing tube on adherence, quality of life, and nasopharyngeal complaints. Sleep Breath 20, 43–49 (2016). doi.org/10.1007/s11325-015-1182-2
• Petrušić N, Posavac M, Sabol I, Mravak-Stipetić M. The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Salivation. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2015 Dec;49(4):309-15. doi: 10.15644/asc49/4/6. PMID: 27688415; PMCID: PMC4945334.
• Suri, Vanita, and Varun Suri. “Menopause and oral health.” Journal of mid-life health vol. 5,3 (2014): 115-20. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.141187  
• Wang, L., Zhu, L., Yao, Y. et al. Role of hormone replacement therapy in relieving oral dryness symptoms in postmenopausal women: a case control study. BMC Oral Health 21, 615 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01966-6
• Web MD: Dry Mouth: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment