“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, Aging, Other Factors

Is there an association between sexual health, menopause and other factors?

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

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – What Can Affect Your Sex Life? Stage of Life the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

In Looking After Yourself During Menopause: Sex and Relationships – What Can Affect Your Sex Life? Menopausal Symptoms the JH also note:

“It’s common for different menopausal symptoms to affect sexual desire. For example, hot flushes, moodiness, sleeplessness and fatigue”.⁴

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”.⁵

Sexual Disorders

What is it important to note about sexual disorders and menopause?

In Sexual Health the Menopause Society note:

“The question of being troubled is key when it comes to any potential sexual disorder, since the issue is not the sexual “problem” or condition itself but whether it is bothersome or troubling to the person or partners involved. For instance, if both partners in a couple are content to live without an active sex life, then a condition such as vaginal dryness or erectile difficulty does not really represent sexual dysfunction. Similarly, a woman who notices some decline in sexual desire over time may not be troubled by it if she is not in a relationship. However, if she meets a partner with high libido, she may start to see her low sex drive as a problem”.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 explain:

“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

Over-the-Counter Treatment Options

What are some over-the-counter treatment options for vaginal dryness?

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

Hormone Therapy

Is hormone therapy a suitable treatment for vaginal dryness?

On page three in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

Testosterone Therapy

Is testosterone therapy a suitable treatment for low libido?

In Looking After Yourself: Sex and Relationships – Managing Low Libido: Testosterone Therapy the JH elaborate on:

“If you are concerned about having low libido, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor. They might suggest different options to improve the way you feel about sex. For example, a trial of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), or vaginal moisturisers, lubricants or oestrogen to improve vaginal dryness”.¹⁰

Is there a video/podcast about Testosterone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women?

Your Country may have a video/podcast similar to the British Menopause Society’s (BMS) BMS TV: Testosterone Explained or the JH’s Libido and Testosterone Therapy – Podcast.

Partners

What can partners be mindful of about sexual health and menopause?

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

“It’s common for women to have lower sex drive (libido) during menopause. This could be due to many things, including changing hormone levels, vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness (which can cause discomfort during sex) and lowered mood and fatigue”.¹⁰

Where may partners may find more information about sexual health and menopause?

Partners may find more information about sexual health and menopause in Information for Partners: Sex and Menopause.

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”.¹²

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:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at: