For those who enjoy sex, you may get worried that your vagina will change or your sexual desire will decrease after menopause. What changes should you expect, plus the treatments you can try?
Low sexual desire or libido
Sex drive generally reduces with age both in women and men, but is much more common in women. The physical effects of reducing estrogen levels can weaken sexual drive and motivation. Among the possible solutions are sex counseling/therapy, yoga, medications that may restrain desire (e.g. particular blood pressure or antidepressant drugs).
The vaginal dryness and atrophy related to low estrogen can cause arousal to be harder and may take longer to achieve. The possible treatments for decreased arousal include topical medications for vaginal atrophy/dryness, vibrator or any other mechanical devices, sex counseling/therapy, yoga, and viagra-like drugs.
Another side effect after menopause is that the vaginal orgasm is hard to achieve. In this case, yoga and sex therapy/counseling is a good solution to allow you to enjoy the night with your loved one.
This can be treated with K-Y Jelly, Astroglide or other water-soluble lubricants. However, the use of Vaseline is not recommended because it wanes the latex; the material used for making condoms. Women can also make use of vaginal moisturizers such as Luvena and Replens on a daily basis to keep the moisture in your vagina. Low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy in the ring, vaginal tablet form, or cream is also a good treatment.
Pain during sex
A variety of therapies are offered – depending on the root of the pain. These include vaginal lubricants or moisturizer, sex therapy/counseling, vaginal estrogen, kegel exercises, yoga, pelvic floor physical therapy, symptom-certain medications, and vaginal dilators.
Vaginismus is the condition where an involuntary tightness of vagina is occurring during an attempted intercourse. Tightness is typically triggers by the involuntary contractions of the muscles of pelvic floor that surrounds vagina. A woman who has vaginismus experiences spasm or muscles squeeze on the vagina when something enters it, like penis or tampon. It gives her uncomfortable and painful feeling. Painful sex is the typical primary sign of vaginismus.
- Stinging or burning with tightness by the time of sex
- Avoidance in sex cause by pain or failure
- Impossible or difficult penetration, uncomfortable insertion of penis and entry main
- Halted breathing during the attempt of intercourse
- Unconsummated marriage
- Difficulty in undergoing gynecological or pelvic exam
- On-going sexual pain with no apparent or unknown cause
- On-going sexual pain or discomfort following urinary or yeast infection, childbirth, IC, STDs, cancer, hysterectomy, rape, surgeries, menopause and the like
Treatment for vaginismus will solely depend on what causes it. If there is an evident physical cause like oversensitive nerves or infection in the opening of vagina may be treated through proper medication. If it’s a cause with a less obvious one, you may follow some recommended techniques in resolving the problems.
Don’t let menopause prevent you from enjoying sex. Rock it like your younger days by changing your mindset and improving your health.