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It's a phenomenon that's been dubbed the "cotton vagina" in urban dictionaries and been brought to light on internet forums.

But up until now there has been very little expert opinion on the urban myth that smoking weed, just like allergies to medicines, can dry out the vagina.

Writing for Vice, Sophie Saint Thomas spoke to Dr Julie Holland, author of must-read Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You're Taking, the Sleep You're Missing, the Sex You're Not Having and What's Really Making You Crazy, about the reported side effect.

When asked whether vaginal dryness was linked to marijuana use, just like dry mouth, Dr Holland said: "Exactly like dry mouth. It's the same thing. It's the drying of the mucus membranes.

"Now not all pot is going to give you dry mouth, but if you have had a strain that is giving you dry mouth, it will also make you more dry [down there]."

But other factors can have more impact on levels of lubrication, the medical expert said.

"In general the thing that makes women dry is the pill. Because there's all this different mucus that happens throughout your cervical cycle.

"As Mother Nature designs it, when you're fertile, you're wet. But if you're on the pill, you don't ovulate; you don't get that mid-cycle wetness."

Dr Holland said using coconut oil, or even cannabis lube Foria, could help alleviate any vaginal discomfort from smoking the drug.

"Foria? I've heard of it," she said. "I haven't tried it and don't have any data, but here's what I will say that's very important: I believe it's in a base of coconut oil and I think that coconut oil is excellent for lubrication.

"I've had patients tell me, I've had friends tell me, it is better than any other lube they've tried."

So don't despair yet, although the myth of cotton vagina appears to be a reality, a remedy is at hand.