The short explanation
They may be. Dry eyes are very common after menopause, because changing hormone levels affect the glands that make tears, and many women also notice a drier mouth. However, when the eyes and mouth are both persistently dry, to the point that you need water to swallow food, doctors also think about an autoimmune condition called Sjogren's syndrome, in which the immune system affects the tear and saliva glands. It is much more common in women, often starting in midlife. Some medicines, such as certain medicines for blood pressure, allergies, bladder problems, mood or sleep, can also cause both dry eyes and dry mouth. A doctor can review your medicines, examine your eyes and mouth, and decide whether blood tests are needed to look for an autoimmune cause.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Sjogren's syndrome can also cause joint pain, tiredness, swollen glands near the jaw, and dryness of the skin or vagina, so mention any of these.
- A very dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and gum problems, so regular dental check-ups are important.
- Lubricating eye drops, sipping water through the day, and sugar-free lozenges may ease symptoms, but they do not tell you the cause.
- Diabetes and thyroid problems can also contribute to dryness and are easy to check with blood tests.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether your dryness is due to menopause, medicines or an autoimmune condition. An examination and sometimes blood tests are needed.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could my dry eyes and dry mouth be linked to an autoimmune condition?
- Should I have blood tests for Sjogren's syndrome?
- Could any of my medicines be causing this?
- How can I protect my teeth with such a dry mouth?
- Should I see an eye doctor as well?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- Get same-day care if an eye becomes very painful, red or sensitive to light, or your vision drops suddenly.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if you have difficulty swallowing, swollen glands near the jaw, or joint pain with the dryness.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment with your doctor and an eye check to look into the cause.
- Have a dental check-up, because a dry mouth raises the risk of decay.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Eye care MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Eye diseases MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Oral health World Health Organization
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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