Let’s talk about sexual health and menopause. If you suspect you may be in perimenopause (the years transitioning to menopause), or even if you’re technically through the menopause (you’ve had no period for a year or longer), you likely have questions about vaginal health. Every woman of a certain age will have heard scary stories about menopause and sexual health so it’s common to have questions like: Is my sex life over? Does everyone get dry during menopause? Here at The Gynae Centre, as experts in working with women through this time, we know that menopause can feel scary. But the good news is that with the right management, you don’t have to forego a happy and healthy sex life. Read on and we break down sexual health and menopause.
Sexual health and menopause: what you should know
Keep in mind that women do not experience sexual health and menopause uniformly and this is why individually tailored medical advice and support is so valuable. But it is helpful to learn general information on common sexual health and menopause issues that may arise – and what you can do about them. Such as:
Contraception
- Pregnancy is still a possibility through perimenopause so if you’re having sex, use contraception
- You might be more vulnerable to STIs during perimenopause and beyond – due to vaginal dryness and the walls of the vagina becoming thinner. So if you or your partner have not been tested for STIs recently, opt for condoms with plenty of lubricant.
Vaginal dryness and discomfort
- About half of postmenopausal women suffer from vaginal dryness – far from ‘everyone’ as is often believed.
- Most women experiencing menopause-related vaginal health issues (such as dryness) suffer without seeking help.
- Unlike other menopausal symptoms that usually get better over time (such as hot flashes), vaginal dryness often persists after menopause because of physical vaginal changes (drier, thinner, less elastic tissue) due to a lack of oestrogen.
- In fact, if you experience vaginal health issues like dryness, itching, or soreness due to menopausal hormonal shifts, your GP or gynaecologist can prescribe oestrogen treatment specifically for this problem.
- Oestrogen treatment can be administered directly into the vagina in the form of a cream, vaginal ring or pessary, giving lubrication so that sex and exercise is enjoyable again. You may choose to use this alone or in combination with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
- Some women opt for non-oestrogen over-the-counter lubricants instead of or as well as vaginal oestrogen treatment. Other ways to help protect your vaginal health include washing your vulva with water (no soaps) and sticking to cotton underwear.
Sexual desire and libido
- While a decline in sexual desire and sex drive is a common menopausal symptom, it by no means affects everyone.
- In fact some women report feeling more fulfilled in their sex lives because of the increased self-confidence that can come with age.
- For women who do experience a loss of sexual desire and/or physical sexual pleasure and ability to reach orgasm, this can be very upsetting and frustrating.
- Disinterest in sex during menopause and after can stem from a variety of reasons. It may be due to:
- Lowered libido because of a drop in hormones such as oestrogen
- Vaginal health issues such as dryness (making penetration uncomfortable)
- Disturbed sleep from menopausal symptoms like night sweats (creating tiredness and reduced sexual appetite)
- Fluctuating emotions and the stress of menopause generally.
Dr Albert Aka, Consultant Gynaecologist at The Gynae Centre says: “Unfortunately, many women suffer these problems in silence without seeking help. If you are concerned about a loss of sex drive and pleasure during menopause, seek the guidance of your GP or a gynaecologist. There are things you can do to maintain quality of life.”
You don’t have to simply accept that ‘menopause means suffering’
Many women miss out on effective treatment for sexual health and menopause because they have heard and come to believe that menopause means sex is over, or that suffering is inevitable. But with effective treatment, uniquely tailored to you and your hormonal changes, it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here at The Gynae Centre, we have decades of experience in successfully treating women through the menopause. There are a host of different options available – from testosterone patches for libido, to Mirena coil progesterone for heavy bleeding, and more.
Yes, it is possible to take control of your sexual health and wellbeing again – call The Gynae Centre today on 020 7580 8090 or book online.
