Many women feel that menopause marks the end of their sexual lives.
It's no secret that women experience a number of physical and emotional changes as they age, but menopause doesn't have to mean the end of your sex life.
Sandra Bishop has a great article over at Natural Health Source about this issue for women entitled, "Sex After Menopause."
As Sandra says, "It’s tempting to think sex after menopause is an inevitable (sometimes painful) descent into tedium and mediocrity. It’s tempting to think that – and indeed, for many women, that’s their reality. But sex after menopause doesn’t have to be the chore some women take it to be."
Why intercourse may be painful
From Sandra's article: "Painful sex is a common issue during menopause. It hurts for any number of reasons, including stress and hormone changes. Intercourse pain is a common issue with menopausal women, because there’s less estrogen to lubricate the vagina."
Intercourse pain is a common issue with menopausal women, because there’s less estrogen to create proper vaginal lubrication.
As Sandra says, "You may have less elasticity too, because you have less vaginal tissue. That can make you feel tight, and make intercourse more of a chore than something to be enjoyed.
"Just worrying about painful sex can make it worse. Or you could have a health issue completely unrelated to menopause, like chronic pain syndrome or a yeast infection. Neither is an especially pleasant scenario, and [those conditions] warrant a talk with your doctor."
With the right attitude and a few adjustments, sex for postmenopausal women can be just as pleasurable as it was before. Physical changes can result in a lower sex drive. But there are ways to overcome those changes. Let’s explore why and how you can reclaim your sexuality after menopause and how you can make the most of your post-menopausal sex life.
Changes in Your Sex Life After Menopause
The most obvious change that occurs during menopause is a decrease in hormone production, which can lead to a decrease in libido. For some women, this decrease in desire can be significant enough that their sex lives suffer as a result. However, for other women, the decreased production of hormones actually has the opposite effect; instead of feeling less interested in sex, they may find themselves feeling more interested than ever!
It's important to note that sexual desire isn't the only thing affected by menopause. During this period, many women also experience dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls and the vaginal tissue as well as reduced sensation during intercourse. These changes are caused by a decrease in estrogen levels and can make sex painful or uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat these issues; talking to your healthcare provider about hormone replacement therapy or using lubricants or topical creams can help alleviate any discomfort associated with sex after menopause.
The Benefits of Sex After Menopause
First and foremost, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of sexual activity after menopause.
A major one is that post-menopausal women may find that they are more relaxed during sex due to reduced hormones; without the worry of pregnancy or menstrual cycles, many women can enjoy sex without any pressure or anxiety.
Additionally, many women report feeling more emotionally connected and satisfied with their partners after menopause than they had previously.
How to Enhance Your Experience
Now let’s look at how you can make your experience even better. The biggest change you may need to make when it comes to sex after menopause is lubrication; due to changes in hormone production, many women experience vaginal dryness and a lack of the normal, natural lubrication which can lead to painful intercourse if not addressed properly.
Fortunately, there are a variety of water-based lubricants available on the market today that are both safe and effective for post-menopausal women. You may also want to consider trying different sexual positions as some may be more comfortable than others for you now that you’re older; try experimenting with your partner until you find something that feels good for both of you.
Another real issue that as women age and have babies, the pelvic muscles can tend to sag and shrink over time. Kegel exercises (pelvic floor exercises) are a great help with this.
Finally, communication is key!
Don't hesitate to talk about what does and doesn't work for you so that you get the most out of your sexual experience together. If anything makes either one of you uncomfortable or if something isn't working, don’t be afraid to speak up! It's important to keep an open line of communication with your partner so that each of your needs are met during intercourse.
Making Sex Enjoyable Again
Once you've addressed any physical changes you may be experiencing due to menopause, it's time to focus on making sure you're enjoying yourself sexually again. If you were already comfortable with your body before menopause, chances are you won't need much adjustment here—but if not, now is an excellent time to start exploring different aspects of your sexuality and getting comfortable with yourself again.
Taking time for self-care activities like yoga or massage can help increase feelings of relaxation and self-love that will further enhance your sexual experiences.
Additionally, don't forget about communication! Discussing your desires with your partner is essential for having an enjoyable and satisfying post-menopausal sex life.
Talk openly about what makes you feel good both physically and emotionally so that both partners know exactly what each other wants from their intimate moments together. This kind of honest dialogue will help ensure both parties get what they need from their sexual encounters—and isn’t that really the key?
Conclusion:
To sum up, even though it may seem like challenging times lie ahead when it comes to post-menopausal sex life—we assure you they don’t! Sex after menopause can be just as pleasurable as it was before—maybe even more so!
With just some minor adjustments here and there – such as understanding changing hormone levels or speaking openly about wants and needs – you can ensure maximum enjoyment (and yes, those intense orgasms) even after all those years have passed since beginning your journey through womanhood.
With a few changes such as using lubricant and experimenting with different positions, post-menopausal women can reclaim their sexuality and enjoy meaningful intimacy with their partners without worry or anxiety.
Communication is key here; don't hesitate to talk openly about what works best for both parties involved so that everyone is getting what they need from their sexual encounters together. So don't forget—sex after menopause doesn't have to be dull or unsatisfying if approached correctly! Take back control and make sure your needs are being met in the bedroom today!
For resources, Sandra recommends a couple things that can help. You can see her recommendations in her excellent article HERE.
If you're looking for a natural-based lubricant, consider HerSolution Gel. For a natural libido pill with black cohosh root, try Provestra.