As someone who is knocking on the door of menopause, I hear some very interesting stories about this stage of life.
One of my girlfriends loves menopause, she has an active sex life and really enjoys sex more than she did in her 20s and 30s because she isn’t worried about becoming pregnant. You cannot become pregnant during menopause if you do not have a period.
Another one of my girlfriends, who is well into menopause, hates it. She says that sex is painful. She turns her husband away which causes some friction in their relationship.
Now, my informal and unscientific polling and research tells me that the type of sex life you have before menopause will affect the type of sex life you have during and after menopause.
For example, my girlfriend who is having a great sex life during menopause has always had a healthy relationship with sex, but my girlfriend who is having a tough time during menopause has always complained about sex.
Sex during menopause can be a great thing, as the benefits can keep you looking young and physically fit. According to Ian Kerner, Ph.D, sexuality counselor and New York Times best-selling author, the benefits of sex include:
• Looking younger
• Slimming down
• Fighting off the sniffles
• Less stress
• Having a healthy heart
• Possibly living longer
For those of you who are experiencing pain or having a tough time becoming aroused there are solutions to this minor speed bump of life.
First, there are lubrication products available at your local drug store and online. If you are embarrassed to purchase an item at your local store, you can purchase it online.
For those of you who are neat freaks, you can keep some baby wipes handy and near your bedside. You can also purchase some vanilla-scented handy wipes if you like a blended scent.
Talk to your health care practitioner about your parts down under and ask for recommendations, which may or may not include a sexual therapist or hormone replacements.
Finally, one of the most crucial elements of sex during menopause is how you think about sex. Think of your body as a classic car. It may take a while for it to start up and get warmed up, but it is a classic which is dependable, experienced and looks good.
Sources:
"The Truth about Sex after Menopause." Woman's Day. Web. 15 July 2013.
http://www.womansday.com/sex-relationships/sex-tips/the-truth-about-sex-after-menopause-99603
"Diseases & Conditions." Cleveland Clinic. Web. 15 July 2013.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/menopause/hic_sex_and_menopause.aspx
"Menopause and Sexuality." Womenshealth.gov. Web. 15 July 2013.
http://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-sexuality/
Neal, Meghan. "6 Health Benefits Of Sex." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 09 Feb. 2011. Web. 15 July 2013.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/09/sex-benefits-_n_820526.html#s237024title=Look_Younger
Reviewed July 15, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith