Can menopause cause a Sexless Marriage?

Yes it can! Menopause has a profound affect of the female body. The approach to Menopause, called Perimenopause, is the Natural decline of the female hormone, estrogen. When the body is depleted of estrogen, our sex drive is often one of the first symptoms.

Menopause Plays Havoc on the Female Body

There are so many other symptoms of Perimenopause. They include (but aren't limited to):

• Fatigue
• Moodiness and Irritability
• Dry Vagina
• Weight Gain (especially around the stomach area)
• Sleep Problems
• Hot Flushes and Night Sweats

But there are menopausal symptoms that specifically affect our sex drive. As estrogen levels in our body falls, the vagina struggles to make natural lubrication, this can make sex uncomfortable or painful. And painful sex can mean women avoid sex altogether. Our levels of testosterone which affects our sex drive also falls during menopause.

All these hormonal changes affect our bodies with a 'slowed sexual response', making it more difficult to get in the mood. Our orgasms are harder to reach, and may not be as intense.

It's Natural for Our Sexual Desire to Decline with Age

Menopause aside, there are plenty of other reasons why mature women are more reluctant to have sex. Age related health problems, fatigue, weight gain, joint pain and maybe the loss of a partner can affect our sexual desire.

But it isn't all negative. There are solutions to these issues!

The Positives of Menopause and Sex

Okay enough of the doom and gloom. With menopause, comes the lack of periods! No periods means no period pain and of course, no chance of getting pregnant. Plus women in their late 40's and early 50's are a lot less self-conscious than younger women in the bedroom. A mature woman knows to ask for what she wants.

Plus when most women reach the age of menopause, often the kids are self reliant or even out of home. This gives women more privacy and less responsibilities.

Regular Vaginal Penetration is Actually Important

Regular vaginal penetration maintains your vagina's length and stretchiness. Mature women who go without penetrative sex or masturbation for a long period of time can find sex painful as the vagina tissues constrict with the lack of estrogen. The vaginal opening can get smaller and tighter, making penetration difficult or impossible. So use it or lose it!

How Can I Improve my Sex Life After Menopause?

There are many ways to improve your sex life after menopause - it's just a matter of finding what works for you! Here are some suggestions!

Reduce Vaginal Dryness with Lubricant

There are so many different lubricants on the market now - every woman should have a tube of lube in her bedside table. If you have lost a bit of feeling in your genitals with the onset of menopause, try a warming or cooling lubricant. These provide a tingling sensation that can often assist with sexual excitement, making achieving orgasm easier.

We recommend:

• ‍Lovehoney Quiver Tingling Lubricant
• ‍Wet Stuff Peppermint Tingling Lubricant

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Vaginal Moisturizers

Vaginal moisturizers are different from lubricant in that lube is preparing the vagina for sex, as a vaginal moisturizer keeps the vagina moist and hydrated over a longer period of time. Vaginal moisturizers should be applied at least every second day, and there are many brands on the market that match the typical vaginal environment.

We recommend:

• ‍Yes VM Vaginal Moisturizing Gel
• ‍Replens Vaginal Moisturiser
• Vagisil ProHydrate Internal Hydrating Gel

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy is the most common medical recommendation for treating the symptoms of menopause, including the loss of libido and dry vagina. HRT increases the amount of estrogen in the body, and also helps prevent osteoporosis. There are many different forms and dosages of Hormone Replacement Therapy, speak to your GP to see if it is suitable for you.

Testosterone Cream

A relatively unknown treatment for lack of sex drive in menopausal women is testosterone cream. This cream is prescribed by your Doctor, and is applied directly to the vagina and increases sexual desire. It doesn't work for all women, and is often prescribed in conjunction with other menopausal therapies.

Testosterone Cream does come with a few side effects including adult acne, increased hair growth on the face and body, hair loss (on the head) and possible weight gain.

Testosterone Cream isn't suitable for women with heart issues, blood vessel issues or liver disease.

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Sources:

Monash University