How to Deal With Menopause? Does it Impact Sexual Life?
There's a myth that women lose their interest in having sex after menopause, and it's not completely true. In this blog, we will talk about menopause and how it affects your sexual life.
What do you understand by menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological process that results in the end of your menstrual cycles. It is usually diagnosed after you have gone 12 straight months without a menstrual period. Menopause can take place in your 40s or 50s. However, the average age is 51 in the United States. Some of the key symptoms of menopause include:
> Physical symptoms: Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, weight gain and slowed metabolism, loss of breast fullness, thinning hair, and dry skin
> Emotional symptoms: Mood changes, lower energy, disrupt sleep. Though it can be confusing and hard to get through at times, it doesn’t have to completely stop your sexual life forever. Nowadays, there are several effective treatments available like hormone therapy and lifestyle changes to deal with this phase.
FAQs related to menopause
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about menopause, have a look:
1. Does menopause reduce sex drive in all women?No. Not all women lose their interest in sex drive. In fact, many women who are in their postmenopausal phase, say that they have got an improved sex drive. This may happen due to less worry or anxiety about getting pregnant. Besides, several postmenopausal women usually have fewer child-care responsibilities, which allows them to relax and enjoy intimacy with their partners.
2. What affects sexual drive during menopause?The loss of estrogen and testosterone following menopause can create various changes in a women’s body and sexual drive. Women who are going through the menopausal phase, as well as those who are experiencing the postmenopausal phase, may notice a reduction in arousal, which means they are not as easily aroused. Moreover, they may feel less sensitive to touching and stroking. All these lead to less or no interest in sex.
3. What is the role of estrogen supply?The reduced levels of estrogen can greatly decrease the blood supply to the vagina. Reduced or less blood supply affects vaginal lubrication that makes the vagina very dry, causing discomfort during sex.
4. What other factors can affect a women’s level of interest in sex?Other factors that may influence a women’s level of interest in sex during menopause include depression or anxiety, bladder control issues, sleep disturbances, stress, certain medications, and some health issues.
5. How to get rid of vaginal dryness during menopause?During and after menopause, vaginal dryness can be treated with water-soluble lubricants. One can also use good quality vaginal moisturizers such as Luvena and glycerin-min oil-polycarbophil on a more regular basis to maintain enough moisture in the vagina.
6. Why avoid non-water-soluble lubricants?Experts advise avoiding using non-water-soluble lubricants as they can weaken latex, the material used to make condoms. Besides, non-water-soluble lubricants can become a key medium for bacterial growth, especially in a person whose immune system is not strong enough or has been weakened by chemotherapy.
7. Is there any need to use condoms during menopause?It is advisable to keep using condoms until the doctor confirms that you are no longer ovulating. Also, the condom is necessary as it gives protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
8. Is sex after menopause painful?Not all the time, but yes, some people can experience painful sex, during menopause at least for some time. Sex can become painful due to the loss of estrogen. As per some experts, vaginal dryness, pain, and urinary problems can develop as a result of vaginal atrophy. Also known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginal atrophy is a condition in which the vaginal tissue becomes thinner and more delicate. About 50% of postmenopausal people experience these symptoms.
Tips to make sex more comfortable after menopause
Several reasons can make sex quite uncomfortable after menopause. Some of these reasons include, vaginal dryness, burning or itching sensation in and around the vagina (valva), some medical conditions, stress, anxiety, and others. Here are some of the key tips to make sex comfortable after menopause:
> Try lubricants: It is better to use lubrication to get your wetness back easily and quickly. Lubrication helps to relieve vaginal dryness and allows easy fractions during intercourse.
> Consult your doctor for medication: You can consult your doctor about medicine. Sometimes, lubricants or moisturizers may not be enough to ease all your vaginal dryness and pain. Your doctor may prescribe you certain medications like vaginal estrogen, vaginal DHEA, estrogen-like drugs, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), etc. There may be some side-effects of taking these medicines. Therefore, do consult your doctor as he/she can suggest the right medicine for you.
> Try Pelvic Floor Therapy: When the muscles that support your bladder and vagina get weak, it can make sex uncomfortable. Kegel exercises can help you retrain your pelvic muscles. A pelvic floor physical therapist can provide you the right treatment.
>Yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation can also help your libido and your orgasm by reducing stress and anxiety.
To conclude, menopause is not the end of your sex drive. Just make sure to follow a healthy lifestyle, keep yourself stress-free, and try to enjoy every special moment with your partner. It is equally important to use the best quality intimate hygiene products right from the beginning when your menstrual cycles start until they stop. Wonderize is a well-renowned company that offers superior quality intimate hygiene products. It works with the intent to raise awareness about intimate hygiene. To know more about its offering, visit Wonderize’s official site.
