If your sex life was good before the onset of menopause, you can probably expect that some changes will be in store for you very soon. While some women do find that menopause causes their sex drive to decrease so that they aren’t as eager to have sex, some find their new situation sexually liberating.
The physical changes that can affect your sex drive after menopause are caused by a decrease in various sex hormones in the body, namely estrogen and progesterone. Levels of estrogen that promote enhanced sensitivity; progesterone that maintains libido; and even testosterone which produces sexual desire (in women and men) and lubrication, all take a nosedive during the menopause.
Many women experience a slower sexual response, taking longer to become aroused or to reach orgasm. They may also experience anything ranging from a mild discomfort to intense pain and bleeding during intercourse caused by the vaginal walls thinning due to a lack of estrogen. Vaginal dryness is also very common, which is also a painful side effect of sex at times.
Due to various other symptoms, many women don't feel like having sex. They may be experiencing insomnia, hot flashes and night sweats which can make a woman irritable and fatigued. They may also be feeling self conscious about the physical changes to their body including increased weight, breast changes and incontinence.
Having to go through menopause makes many women feel old and undesirable, which also lowers their libido. Some women can't bear to be touched after going through menopause, rejecting their partners sexually can induce feelings of guilt and depression. This can be a vicious cycle, and needs to be recognized and avoided at all costs!
The flip side of this is that some women are more able to relax and enjoy sex after the menopause. They no longer have the worry of contraception and becoming pregnant so they are able to be more adventurous. Some women experience an emotional roller coaster during their menstrual cycle, and the menopause can bring relief from this, resulting in better relationships and therefore a better six life.
If you are experiencing any of these difficulties with sex following the menopause, there are various things you can try. Many new advances have been made in recent years to help women, such as compounded testosterone cream which is applied to thevagina to increase sensation, or to the clitoris to increase orgasm. Also available with a prescription is estrogen therapies to be applied locally, which unlike oral estrogens that carry some cancer risks estrogens applied locally to the vagina are generally safe. They are available as suppository tablets, creams, or "rings," which sit inside the vagina and give off small doses of the hormone over time.
There are many symptoms of menopause and also many cures for these symptoms. Learn as much as you can about them, and you can take positive steps to find relief for yourself.
Learn more by visiting us at http://www.natural-menopause-remedies.com and reading our massive article collection!
