Sex during menopause? Of course, it's possible, but it's necessary to change your approach! Here are the tips and myths to debunk for a satisfying sex life.

Sexuality does not cease to exist

For many women, sex during menopause is a problem, but beyond the physical changes and common stereotypes, sexuality does not cease to exist in maturity. 

 

Menopause: what happens

Menopause is the period when the ovaries cease their activity and thus also the production of estrogen and progestin hormones, and various changes occur both physically and emotionally.

Estrogen deficiency can cause vaginal dryness, dyspareunia (pain), mood and sleep disorders, and hot flashes. The decline in interest in sex is often associated with the reduction in testosterone levels, a hormone naturally produced by both the ovaries and the adrenal glands.

The decline in desire is a matter of the mind

During menopause, libido can certainly decrease, but it must be said that hormones are only one of the many factors that contribute to normal sexual function, as the sexual response largely depends on stimuli that come from the brain.

 

The decrease in desire in women and men of all ages is therefore due to a decrease in infatuation, the pressure of other concerns, stress, psychological factors, and conflicts with the partner.

 

Poor female sexual satisfaction is mainly caused by a lack of self-esteem, emotional discomfort or discomfort with one's own body, unsatisfactory interpersonal relationships, and with menopause, these can become more acute, however, according to the expert, to overcome this problem, we must especially change our approach.

A different approach

The view of sexuality has changed thanks to sociocultural changes such as the extension of life and the recognition that female pleasure is always present. To make sexuality satisfying, menopause should not be considered a disease or a misfortune, but a change both physically and emotionally. Instead of continuing to regret youth, we should continue to dream and make discoveries through sex and the relationship with the partner.

 

Minimize physical changes!

The only physical factors that can negatively affect sexuality are a certain lack of muscle tone in the genital apparatus due to tissue relaxation, which can be both prevented and reduced by training the pelvic muscles with the famous Kegel exercises, and poor lubrication that can be alleviated simply by using a lubricant.

Facing the changes

Hormone replacement therapy may also be recommended orally or a patch based on testosterone or phytoestrogens to balance hormone levels. In addition, special attention must be paid: diet, weight control, correct intake of soy isoflavones (i.e., phytoestrogens, which alleviate the most unpleasant symptoms) and vitamins A, C, and E. For bone health, foods rich in vitamin E, B6, B12, and folic acid with protective function, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, and magnesium are recommended. Finally, physical activity should also be pursued: a daily 30-minute walk is enough.

 

It could even get better

The clitoris does not undergo changes during menopause. Indeed, in older women, a slight hypertrophy can even be found due to the prevailing adrenal hormonal activity, and desire could even increase due to the absence of the antagonistic function of estrogens against androgens.

 

A little help from surgery

For those who feel uncomfortable with their body, they could also resort to aesthetic medicine and intimate surgery to keep the external genital apparatus young, for example with the dyeing and thickening of pubic hair, with the lipostructure of the labia majora, the lifting of the mons pubis, vaginoplasty, and so on.