Menopause is the phase of life when you experience fewer periods, which eventually come to a halt. This generally means that you cannot become pregnant again. Menopause occurs around midlife, that is, around the age of 40 to 50 years. Here is more on symptoms and effects of menopause.
When a woman enters menopause her estrogen levels fall dramatically, triggering a bunch of reactions in her which might affect her sexual life. Menopause in women is the time they undergo tremendous bodily changes resulting in their changing behavior too. They need the understanding and support of their partners in such crucial times to sail through challenges like loss of their breast mass, weight gain, and sagging skin, not to mention the night-sweats and hot flushes.
Menopause and Sex Drive
Some common problems that women face when they enter the menopausal phase of their lives are the drying up of the vagina and the vulva which can make sexual intercourse painful at times. This might also lead to a loss if interest in sex, temporarily. The drying up of the vagina and the vulva leaves them a little vulnerable to frequent urinary tract infections and to other hormone related problems like osteoporosis.
Other possible side effects that women face when they approach menopause are hot flushes and night sweats.
The Temporary Effects on Sex Drive
Though most women might face some problem or the other during menopause, any effect it has on their sex drive is only temporary. It does not make them lose all interest in sex afterwards or affect their sex drive permanently.
The hot flushes and night sweats can easily put anyone off sex, let alone someone dealing with the hormonal imbalances of menopause. It is a misconception that women lose their sexuality after menopause; it is just during menopause in the case of some women, who are unfortunate in their reactions to the hormone depletion.
- Low Estrogen's Effects: The low level of the hormone estrogen causes a drop in the blood supply to the vagina, leading to dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls. This is why some discomfort may be experienced by women during menopause when having sex.
- Bladder Control Issues: In some women there might also be bladder control issues leading to discomfort or anxiety during sex, which might present a problem to a couple enjoying regular sex. Stress because of the changes the woman is going through can be another factor for decreased libido in menopausal women.
- Problems Due to Medication: If any medication is prescribed to deal with problems arising out of hormonal imbalances of undergoing hormone replacement therapy, that might also cause potential side effects leading to lack of excitement during sexual intercourse. Estrogen replacement treatment is suggested for menopausal and post-menopausal women who face problems dealing with the changes that their bodies undergo during menopause.
Tips for Sex During Menopause
When it comes to sex during menopause, there are a number of effective remedies to promote intimacy and comfort between couples.
A visit to a sexual dysfunction therapist can help in dealing with any issues that might arise between couples because of the woman’s lack of sexual interest. Videos, books, movies, massages and back rubs, etc can be used to stimulate an interest in sex so that the couple can enjoy what they do together. However, always remember to use a condom in case of new sexual partners to prevent transmitting or contracting any sexually transmitted diseases.
If you are going through menopause and finding it hard to cope, talk about it frankly to your doctor and your partner so that you can get the best possible treatment and the essential support you need to get through the ordeal.
Do Women Enjoy Sex Post Menopause?
Yes! In fact, Dr. David Delwin, a General Practitioner and Christine Webber, a Psychotherapist have found that women enjoy sex and achieve orgasm, more frequently multiple orgasms post-menopause as they will no longer have to face the anxiety that they might end up pregnant in case their protection fails.
Another reason, according to the doctors why more menopausal women enjoy sex better than their younger counterparts, is because they would have gained a lot of insight into their own bodies and they would have acquired a great amount of skill over the years.
You have no reason to look down at menopause as a dent in your sexual life, you just need to look at the brighter side post menopause – where you can have uninhibited sex!
