Unfortunately, menopause can cause various sexual problems which can make sex difficult or less enjoyable. Often women are too embarrassed by their problems to discuss them, but talking to your GP can make treating these issues easier, leaving you to enjoy a fulfilling sex life once again. By nature, the menopause causes a decline in the level of oestrogen in the body which can make sex uncomfortable – often, women also lose their interest in sex and become more self-conscious due to the changes in the body.
Studies show that 84 percent of menopausal women find sex to be uncomfortable or painful, with nearly 70 percent saying that it has negatively impacted their relationship. Vaginal dryness is a common side effect of the menopause but it is often easy to treat, so speaking to your GP is advised in order to gain treatment for this problem. Try to avoid intimate washes or bath oils, as these can make the problem worse, and you may benefit from a lubricant which can make sex more enjoyable.
There are medical treatments for painful sex, if you find that the over the counter solutions don’t work. Hormone treatments can help with dryness, or you may wish to apply oestrogen to the vagina which will help to increase the natural lubrication produced by the body. This treatment comes in different forms – creams, pessaries and tablets, or an oestrogen-releasing ring which is inserted into the vagina and can remain there for three months at a time.
It’s natural for your sex drive to decline over the years, as well as menopausal symptoms making this more rapid. Stress, depression and relationship problems can all make this worse, but these are generally temporary problems. You may find that simply by treating your menopausal symptoms, you can see an improvement in your sex drive without the need for any further treatment.
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