Most of us know that menopause comes with a few challenges when it comes to sexual health, but what a lot of women don’t know is that those issues can actually begin during perimenopause — the months and years before menopause happens. Even for women who think they’re prepared for “the change of life,” changes in their sex drive and sexual comfort can be surprising and even a little disheartening.
Fortunately, you can do many things to regain sexual pleasure during the years leading up to menopause (and during menopause, too). At Women's Health Services, we make it our mission to help patients at our Arlington, Texas, practice find solutions to their sexual health needs at every stage of life. In this post, our team offers some simple tips to help you.
Perimenopause is when your body slowly “shifts gears” from the child-bearing years into the menopause years. Lasting from 2-10 years, perimenopause ushers in a decline in estrogen, fewer ovulations, and changes in your periods, including periods that are unusually heavy or that occur less often.
Many of the symptoms associated with menopause actually begin during perimenopause. These include symptoms like:
Changes in sexual desire and changes in your vaginal health can occur, too, largely due to the decrease in estrogen levels.
Many women find their desire to have sex is much lower during perimenopause. Vaginal dryness and irritation often make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or downright painful. Understanding why these changes are occurring can help you feel more confident about finding a solution that helps.
Too often, women are embarrassed or reluctant to discuss their sexual health with their doctor. But making sure women enjoy healthy, satisfying sex lives is part of what an OB/GYN does, and the sooner you talk to our team, the sooner you can start to feel more confident about your own sexual health. In the meantime, these tips can help.
There are many personal lubricants, and one could be perfect for you. Lubricants replace your natural moisture, reducing friction so sex is more comfortable and more pleasurable.
Combine your lubricant with a vibrator to stimulate blood flow and ramp up your own natural lubrication. Using your vibrator 2-3 times a week could make sexual intercourse more comfortable, too.
If penetration is painful, look for other ways to be intimate. Adding something new can be a great way to enhance the excitement for you and your partner, too.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using bioidentical hormones replaces some of the estrogen your body no longer produces. More estrogen can improve your vagina health, including increasing natural lubrication inside the vaginal membranes.
When you’re in perimenopause, stimulation and excitement can take longer. Be patient with yourself and look for ways to increase the time spent in foreplay to help you get in the mood on your own timeline.
Exercise improves your overall wellness and cardiovascular system, meaning better blood flow to your vagina. Plus, it helps you feel more confident, and it’s a great stress reliever, too.
When sleep is lacking, your stress level soars and more stress can quickly lead to less sexual excitement and pleasure. Try these sleep tips from the Academy of Sleep Medicine website, and if you can, indulge in a nap in the early afternoon.
Having sex promotes lubrication in and around your vagina. Once you find a solution that eliminates pain and dryness, make sex a regular part of your routine. No partner? A vibrator works, too.
To learn how we can help you navigate sexual health changes and other issues that crop up during perimenopause, call 817-277-9415 or book an appointment online with the team at Women’s Health Services today.
