Sexual Health and Menopause

Sexual Health and Menopause

“The menopause transition and postmenopause can be
associated with bothersome changes in sexual function.
Although some women experience a stronger sense of…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Sexual Health and Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause and Sexual Health
  • Sexual Health and Menopause
  • Sexual Well-Being and Menopause
  • Urogenital Problems

Changes

What are some menopause sexual health changes?

In Menopause and Sexuality the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov note:

“In the years around menopause, you may experience changes in your sex life. Some women say they enjoy sex more. Other women find that they think about sex less often or don’t enjoy it as much. Low hormone levels after menopause cause vaginal tissues to be thinner or drier. There are treatments to help your symptoms”.2

On page one in Menopause and Sexual Function the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) explain:

“The menopause transition and postmenopause can be associated with bothersome changes in sexual function. Although some women experience a stronger sense of sexual confidence and freedom after menopause, others find that symptoms negatively affect their relationships and well-being. The most reported sexual concerns during this time include:

  • Low sex drive
  • Decreased lubrication
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Pain with sex
  • Difficulty having an orgasm
  • Decreased sexual satisfaction”.3

Treatment Options

What are some treatment options?

In Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“To treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause, your healthcare professional might recommend that you first try a remedy you can buy without a prescription. If that doesn’t help ease your symptoms, you may opt for a hormone treatment, other prescription medicine or a device to stimulate and stretch vaginal tissues, called a vaginal dilator.

  • “Vaginal moisturizers or lubricants…
    • Vaginal moisturizers…
    • Water- or silicone-based lubricants…
  • Topical estrogen…
    • Vaginal estrogen cream (Estrace, Premarin)…
    • Vaginal estrogen suppositories (Imvexxy)…
    • Vaginal estrogen ring (Estring)…
    • Vaginal estrogen tablet (Vagifem, Yuvafem)…
  • Ospemifene (Osphena)…
  • Prasterone (Intrarosa)…
  • Systemic estrogen therapy…
  • Vaginal dilators…
  • Topical lidocaine…”.4

In Sexual Health: Drug Therapy the Menopause Society include:

“Many sexual problems can be successfully treated with prescription therapies.

  • Estrogen…
  • Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone…
  • Ospemifene…
  • Flibanserin…
  • Bremelanotide…
  • Testosterone…”.5

Partners

What can partners be mindful of about sex and menopause?

In Menopause Information for Partners: Sex and Menopause the JH elaborate on:

“It’s common for women to have lower sex drive (libido) around the time of menopause. This may be due to changing hormone levels, low mood, changing body shape, fatigue and vaginal dryness (which can cause pain during sex)”.6

Sexual Activity

Is there an association between sexual activity and menopause?

In Sexual Health: Frequently Asked Questions – What Changes Should I Expect After Menopause? the Menopause Society include:

“Regular vaginal sexual activity is important for vaginal health after menopause because it stimulates blood flow, helps keep your vaginal muscles toned, and maintains your vagina’s length and stretchiness”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my sexual health and menopause?

If you would like help with your sexual health and menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page two in Sexual Health: Causes of Sexual Dysfunction During and After the Menopause Transition the Menopause Society reassure us:

“It is important to recognize that sexual function may change as women age but is still a vital component of well-being. Successful treatment depends on identifying and addressing individual factors because the cause is often multifactorial and may require an integrative approach to management. With the right care, sexual well-being can be restored”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Sexual Health and Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Menopause?

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Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause and Sexual Function. 2026:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/Menonote-Menopause-and-Sexual-Function.pdf Accessed: 12 April 2026
  2. Menopause and Sexual Health. Page Last Updated: 12 March 2025. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-and-sexuality Accessed: 12 April 2026
  3. Menopause and Sexual Function. 2026:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/Menonote-Menopause-and-Sexual-Function.pdf Accessed: 12 April 2026
  4. Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment.20 December 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352294 Accessed: 12 April 2026
  5. Sexual Health: Drug Therapy. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/sexual-health Accessed: 12 April 2026
  6. Menopause Information for Partners: Sex and Menopause. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/menopause-information-for-partners/#section-sex-and-menopause Accessed: 12 April 2026
  7. Sexual Health: Frequently Asked Questions – What Changes Should I Expect After Menopause? Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/sexual-health Accessed: 12 April 2026
  8. Menopause and Sexual Function: Causes of Sexual Dysfunction During and After the Menopause Transition. 2026:2. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/for-women/Menonote-Menopause-and-Sexual-Function.pdf Accessed: 12 April 2026
Topic Last Updated: 12 April 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 April 2026

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