Menopause marks an important transition in a woman’s life. It’s a time of many physical and emotional changes. And one of the often overlooked but essential aspects of this transition is sexuality. After menopause, many women experience a drop in libido due to hormonal changes. However, with a better understanding of hormonal changes and adaptations, it’s entirely possible to maintain a fulfilling sex life. In this article, we give you some tips and solutions on sexuality after menopause to improve your sexual well-being during this period of life.
What’s the impact on libido and sexuality?
Menopause is a natural phenomenon that occurs on average at the age of 51. It is preceded by a period of several years known as the perimenopause. This is a period during which women undergo a number of hormonal changes. According to a survey carried out by the Mutuelle Générale de France, out of 7,000 women questioned, almost 40% experience a loss of libido. But every woman is different. For some, the menopause is like a liberation. For women who no longer menstruate, where the risk of pregnancy is high, libido is intensified.
Others, on the other hand, experience a drop in desire, preferring moments of tenderness and kissing to the act itself. So why do many women experience a drop in desire and discomfort? First of all, female sexuality is influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including biological, social and psychological factors. The causes of a loss of libido or sexuality can therefore have several explanations.
What are the causes of reduced desire at menopause?
The causes of reduced desire at menopause are mainly linked to hormonal changes, the way we perceive aging, and the physical and psychological consequences.
Hormonal changes at menopause
When a woman reaches menopause, ovarian activity ceases. And the sudden drop in estrogen levels that used to stimulate desire, particularly during the ovulation period, is deprived of its peaks. The result is a certain constancy, or even an overall drop in sexual desire. On the other hand, this female hormone does not act alone; there’s also testosterone. This hormone is secreted in small quantities by women’s adrenal glands and ovaries. It also affects desire. And at menopause, it continues to be secreted by the adrenal glands.
But desire and pleasure are not equal: the great hormonal change of the menopause is not without consequences for the genital tract, and therefore for the way it feels. These include a drop in estrogen levels, symptoms such as vaginal dryness, bladder weakness and so on. All these symptoms make intimacy and sexual relations less pleasant and even painful during the menopause.
Psychological factors
Women’s bodies change at menopause. And many women no longer feel desirable or want to share intimate moments with their partner, due to the natural signs of aging. Low libido at menopause can thus be altered by all the so-called “psychological” symptoms of menopause. These symptoms result from hormonal changes such as :
- fatigue ;
- irritability ;
- anxiety and depression.
Couple communication
The quality of the relationship with one’s partner plays an essential role in sexual fulfillment. If a lack of communication sets in, and a woman no longer expresses her doubts, fears or the changes she is going through, unspoken words and misunderstanding are likely to take over, affecting sexuality. What’s more, a partner’s attitude to menopausal symptoms has a significant influence on how women feel. So it’s crucial that men are aware of and prepared to support their partners adequately during this transitional period.
5 benefits of making love after the menopause
There are several reasons why you should make love after the menopause, namely:
- sex maintains desire;
- sex keeps the vessels working;
- vaginal elasticity is maintained through intercourse;
- making love makes you happy;
- sperm is good for the vaginal area.
The sexual act maintains desire
Sexual intercourse stimulates sexual desire. Don’t they say that the appetite comes with eating? We know that this is linked to the slight increase in testosterone, to sexual intercourse, and to the erotic thoughts and gestures that occur at that moment.
The sexual act gets the blood vessels working
Sexual intercourse produces an erection in men and lubrication in women. For this to happen, circulation must be activated in the vessels, which dilate to let more blood through. These reactions in the arteries are highly beneficial to circulation. They also keep the arteries in good working order over time.
Vaginal elasticity is maintained through sexual intercourse
The vaginal area stretches with every sexual encounter. These tissues contribute to the proper functioning of vaginal elasticity. A post-menopausal woman who has not had intercourse for a long time may experience a gradual loss of elasticity. This can make it difficult to resume sexual relations.
Making love makes you happy!
Couples over 50 who make love regularly are happier than others. That alone could be enough to motivate you, so don’t deprive yourself – make love, it makes you happy.
Sperm is good for the vaginal area
Everyone knows that semen is released into the vagina during ejaculation. But what you may not know is that semen contains a small amount of the hormone estrogen. The very hormones that women lack after the menopause. This locally-administered hormone keeps the vaginal surface soft and moisturized.
In conclusion, remember that menopause, although it brings with it changes that disrupt sexuality, is no reason to stop having sex. In fact, understanding hormonal and physical transformations will enable you to adopt the right attitudes to maintain a fulfilling sex life. Communication with your partner, medical consultations and the use of appropriate treatments can improve sexuality after the menopause. Sexuality after the menopause is not only good for your physical, mental and sexual health, it’s also good for your partner’s well-being.
