From puberty to the reproductive phase, a woman’s journey has many stages. Then comes menopause, which means goodbye to the days of sanitary pads or tampons. While you may be glad to be done with menstrual cramps and bleeding every month, menopause brings new problems. According to the National Library of Medicine, women may experience a decrease in libido, orgasm, and frequency of intercourse during menopause. This usually happens due to the physiological changes that occur during menopause. Read on to find out how menopause affects a woman’s sexual life.
Health Shots approached Dr. Nirmala M., Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Fertility Specialist at Maternity Hospitals, Whitefield, Bengaluru, to explore the link between menopause and sex life.
What is menopause?
Menopause is not something you avoid, as it is a biological process that is common among women when they experience physical and emotional symptoms. There will be hot flashes that cause sleep disturbances, low energy levels, and emotional health problems, says Dr. Nirmala. Although most women go through this stage between the ages of 45 and 55, it can vary from person to person. Before menopause declines in women’s lives, they will experience perimenopause. It begins several years before menopause. During this period, women experience irregular periods, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes.
Sexual problems faced by women after menopause
A woman’s sexual life is one of the things that is affected by menopause. Here are some of the things they may encounter:
1. Vaginal dryness
You can blame menopause for the drop in estrogen. As a result, the vaginal tissues dry out, explains Dr. Nirmala. Naturally, the vagina becomes less elastic and dry. Vaginal dryness can make sex very uncomfortable.
2. Decreased arousal
There are hormonal changes associated with menopause, and then there is physical discomfort. These factors make sex less pleasurable and cause a lack of arousal due to emotional and physical imbalance.
3. Change in sexual function
During menopause, sexual function may change, so orgasms may be delayed, orgasms will be less intense or there may be a different level of sexual satisfaction, the expert shares.
4. Urinary tract problems
Pelvic muscles weaken or the urinary tract changes after menopause. This can cause painful urination and great discomfort during sex.
5. Touch the problems
Women in the menopausal phase may not want to be physically touched. They may not want to get close because their skin becomes more sensitive. Besides, who wants extra body heat during a heat wave?
It is true that sexual problems can arise due to menopause, but that does not mean that you should do nothing. You can live an active lifestyle with proper nutrition and regular exercise. Menopause has been shown to have positive effects on mental and physical well-being, says Dr. Nirmala.
Hormone therapy can be a very effective way to manage menopause. It can help reduce problems such as vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, and decreased sex drive.
In addition, underlying conditions can lead to many complications during menopause. High blood pressure and diabetes can increase the likelihood of sexual problems. So, treating them early can help you.
Some couples like to experiment in bed, and age should not be an obstacle. You can try sexual activity that has nothing to do with vaginal penetration. There is oral sex and mutual masturbation that you can do with your partner.