Bleeding after sex. From having sex.

I have been experiencing vaginal dryness for quite some time now.. say almost since a year. However it did not bother me much as I was sexually inactive then. For 3 months now I am trying to have sex (protected), but it's painfull and bleeding. I have had sex before and it wasn't painfull earlier. For the vaginal dryness I tried using lubricant and still I face the same problem. I feel cuts in my vagina. It's embarrassing and unsatisfactory for both of us. I also use vwash to maintain the pH of my vagina. I have googled for a solution but everything on Google leads to cervical cancer. What could be the reason for dryness as m young and only 24. How can I cure this asap and for how long do I refrain myself from having sex.