“Sexual difficulties can be life-long or recently acquired,
but they are a common presentation at the menopause.
They may also be situational (limited to certain types 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
Menopause, Aging, Other Factors
Is there an association between menopause, aging, other factors and sexual health?
In Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes At Midlife the NAMS elaborate on:
“Every woman experiences her midlife years differently. The changes that occur during this period, including changes in sexual well-being, are typically caused by a mix of both menopause and aging, as well as by typical midlife stresses and demands”.2
In Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) also note:
“At midlife and menopause, many things are likely to be happening, both to your body and in your relationships. There might be partners, children and ageing or unwell parents to consider, as well as work demands and even your sense of identity as a woman. These changes can affect your sexuality and, together with the hormonal changes, sexual problems may occur”.3
Sexual Difficulties
Is there an association between sexual difficulties and menopause?
In Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society note:
“Sexual difficulties can be life-long or recently acquired, but they are a common presentation at the menopause. They may also be situational (limited to certain types of stimulation, situations, or partners) or generalized”.4
Sexual Activity
Is there an association between sexual activity and menopause?
In Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes In the Vagina and Vulva – Vulvovaginal Atrophy the NAMS explain:
“When a woman doesn’t have intercourse or other vaginal sexual activity on a regular basis following menopause, her vagina may also become shorter and narrower. Then, when she does try to have intercourse, she is likely to experience pain, even if she uses a lubricant. That’s because dry, fragile vulvovaginal tissues are susceptible to injury, tearing, and bleeding during intercourse or any penetration of the vagina. The resulting discomfort can be so great that the woman avoids intercourse and the condition worsens. Sometimes, even women who are not sexually active are bothered by vaginal dryness and the irritation that may accompany it”.5
How may regular sexual activity help?
According to the NAMS:
“Continuing to have regular vaginal sexual activity through menopause helps keep the vaginal tissues thick and moist and maintains the vagina’s length and width. This helps keep sexual activity pleasurable”.6
Other Factors
What is it helpful to sort out with sexual problems?
In Sex & Relationships: Relationships – What Can You Do To Help Your Relationship? the JH note:
“If sexual problems are causing difficulties in your relationship, it is helpful to sort out how many of them are due to the physical symptoms of menopause, and how many might relate to other issues, or both. When you have worked this out, then you can seek the appropriate help”.7
Concern or Not
Are the changes menopause causes to a woman’s sexual life a concern?
Not necessarily. In Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause – The Impact of Symptoms the JH explain:
“Some women are concerned by the changes menopause causes to their sexual lives, and others are not so worried. It really depends on you, your attitude to sex, your age, how menopause has affected you, whether you are in a relationship, whether you want to have sex and whether there are other things happening in your life you are more concerned about”.8
Partners
Where may partners find more information about sexual health and menopause?
In Information for Partners: Sex & Menopause the JH elaborate on:
“A key issue for couples and relationships may be that your partner is no longer keen to have sex. This can be for a range of reasons related to menopause symptoms. One key symptom is a dry vagina: Lower levels of oestrogen directly affect a woman’s vagina and can make it thinner, drier and less elastic. Also, testosterone levels fall gradually with age and this can have an impact on a woman’s level of desire at menopause”.9
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.
In How Sex Changes After Menopause: Don’t Give Up on Sex During Menopause the (United States) Cleveland Clinic encourages us to seek help, elaborating on:
“If nothing seems to help and you’re bothered by your sexual (dys)function, talk to your doctor — and try not to feel embarrassed. These are common concerns, and your healthcare providers are there to help”.10
The (United States) Mayo Clinic also encourage us to seek help, explaining:
“Your health has a big impact on your sex life and vice versa. Don’t be embarrassed about discussing sex with your doctor. Your doctor can be a reliable source of information on sexual health. He or she can help you manage chronic conditions and medications that affect your sex life. Your doctor can help you understand how sexual activity may change throughout your life”.11
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Sexual Health and Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Menopause?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.- 11 Ways To Help Yourself To A Better Sex Life
- 9 Tips To Keep Your Vagina and Vulva Healthy
- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- Birth Control Options
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Consumer Health: Treating Vaginal Dryness After Menopause
- Disorders of the Vulva: Common Causes of Vulvar Pain, Burning, and Itching: FAQs
- EMAS Menopause Essentials
- EMAS Replay: Genitourinary System Laser Treatment In the Menopause
- Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
- Effect of Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser vs Sham Treatment on Symptom Severity In Women With Postmenopausal Vaginal Symptoms A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Five Things You Didn’t Know About Vaginas & Vulvas — Free Health Article
- Global Consensus Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women
- Hormonal Health – Clues Made Clear
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- How Do I Deal With Vaginal Atrophy? — Ask Dr Jean
- How Sex Changes After Menopause
- How To Increase Your Sexual Desire During Menopause
- Information for Partners
- International Society for Sexual Medicine: Public
- International Society for Sexual Medicine: Sexual Health Topics
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
- International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing and Intimacy During and After Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
- Libido: The Highs and Lows of Midlife
- Low Sex Drive In Women
- Many Older Women Have Active Sex Lives, But Menopause Can Interfere
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing Vaginal Dryness
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Treatment for Vaginal Dryness for Menopausal Women
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Ever since my periods stopped, my desire for sex has decreased. Is this normal?
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause: Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Mona Lisa Touch – Ask Dr Jean
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Patterns of Sexual Activity and the Development of Sexual Pain Across the Menopausal Transition
- Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
- Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
- Perimenopause Birth Control: What Are My Options?
- Poll Shows Impact of Menopause and Other Health Issues on Older Women’s Sex Lives
- Relationships: Relationships & Libido – Talking With Your Partner
- Relationships: Relationships & Libido – What Can You Do About Desire Discrepancy?
- Relationships: Relationships & Painful Sex
- Safer Sex & STIs
- Sex & Relationships: Management & Treatment of Sexual Problems At Menopause
- Sex & Relationships: Managing Contraception During Menopause
- Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause [+ Video: 5 Things To Know About Sex In Later Life]
- Sex & Sexual Health: Libido
- Sex and Relationships After the Menopause
- Sex and the Adult Female With Cancer [Topics]
- Sexual Advice Association [United Kingdom]
- Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause
- Sexual Dysfunction Hits Some Women Harder Than Others As They Age
- Sexual Functioning In 4,418 Postmenopausal Women Participating In UKCTOCS (UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening)
- Sexual Health
- Sexual Health and Aging: Keep the Passion Alive
- Sexual Health: Basics – Sexual Health Basics
- Sexual Health: Expert Answers – Is There An Equivalent of Viagra for Women?
- Sexual Health: Female Sexual Problems
- Sexual Health: In-Depth – Women’s Sexual Health: Talking About Your Sexual Needs
- Sexual Health: Sexual Health for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
- Sexually Transmitted Infections, All You Need To Know – Podcast
- Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
- The Association Between Sexual Function and Body Image Among Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
- The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems
- Vaginal & Vulval Pain: Know the Different Causes and When To Seek Help
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? I’m postmenopausal and often have vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse painful. Is there anything I can do about it?
- Vaginal Dryness Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal Laser Therapy
- Vaginal Rejuvenation, Labiaplasty, and Other Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery
- Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
- Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
- Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
- Video Series-2021: What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation: Management & Treatment [+Video]
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
- Webinars: Previous – Sexual Health Issues in Menopause
- Webinars: Previous – VA – The Silent Epidemic [Vulvovaginal Atrophy]
- When Sex Is Painful
- Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
- Women’s Sexual Health: Talking About Your Sexual Needs
- Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
- Women’s Wellness: Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment [+ Video]
- Yes,You Can Have Better Sex In Midlife and In the Years Beyond
- Your Sex Life and the Waves of Change
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause. Content Created March 2021. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/722-sexual-difficulties-in-the-menopause Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes At Midlife. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause. Last Updated: 16 July 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/sex Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause. Content Created March 2021. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/722-sexual-difficulties-in-the-menopause Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes In the Vagina and Vulva – Vulvovaginal Atrophy. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-the-vagina-and-vulva Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Changes In the Vagina and Vulva: Vulvovaginal Atrophy. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-the-vagina-and-vulva Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sex & Relationships: Relationships – What Can You Do To Help Your Relationship? Last Updated: 16 July 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/sex Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Sex & Relationships: Sex & Menopause – The Impact of Symptoms. Last Updated: 16 July 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/sex Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Information for Partners: Sex & Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 03 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/information-for-partners Accessed: 09 June 2022
- How Sex Changes After Menopause: Don’t Give Up on Sex During Menopause. 16 May 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sex-and-menopause/ Accessed: 09 June 2022
- Have Questions About Sex? Ask Your Doctor. 01 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/art-20048805 Accessed: 09 June 2022