Sex after menopause can be a topic shrouded in secrecy and misinformation. However, it’s a natural part of life, and it’s essential to know what to expect. Here are five things no one ever tells you about sex after menopause.
- The mood swings could be insane
You know the feeling when you’re on your PMS, right? It feels like the world could fall apart at any moment and you easily cry over a bag of Cheetos you’ve just dropped.
PMS usually lasts for a few days, a couple of days when it’s not so bad. Now imagine experiencing exactly that but for only about 30 seconds… 50 times a day.
That’s how you describe hot flashes. Yes, one of the most dreaded menopause symptoms is hot flashes. The sensation of a hot flash is very unpleasant and can even disturb a quality sleep.
You can’t sleep because of all the heat and headache, but at the same time, you’re tired. This in itself could disrupt intimacy and the way you connect with your partner pre-sex.
For the most part, you may even be so uncomfortable being close to someone else’s body due to the increased heat from them.
According to Hormone Health, oestrogen plays a crucial role in various brain functions, and the declining levels of this hormone during the perimenopause phase can have an impact on the psychological well-being of certain women. Studies have indicated that women with a history of severe premenstrual syndrome or postnatal depression may be more susceptible to experiencing mood swings during menopause. The hormonal changes during this time can influence psychological aspects, and individual variations in hormone sensitivity may contribute to mood fluctuations in some women.
- Sex can be painful, indeed
You know that feeling of painful sex when your vagina is lacking lubrication, right? Well, just spend a bit more time on foreplay or bring on the lube and you are good to go.
But when you are over 50 and menopause hits the sheet, no amount of lube can ease your pain.
This is because your natural lubricant is so lacking in the first place, but on top of that, your vaginal walls are also thinning now.
This causes any friction felt on the inside that much more painful. Of course, this isn’t the end of the world since you still can have oral sex and use fingers to stimulate the clitoris!
Meanwhile, hormone therapy for increasing oestrogen can also be a life-saving experience.
Mind you, hormone replacement therapy is very expensive and it is usually not covered by insurance. Proceed with a lot of calculations.
In an article published by WebMD, it is mentioned that during menopause, some women may experience a decrease in the pleasurable sensations during sex compared to before. Reports indicate that anywhere from 17% to 45% of postmenopausal women encounter painful intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia. Often, this discomfort is attributed to vaginal thinning and dryness, but other medical and mental factors can also influence the way sex feels for women going through menopause.
- But sex can be sublime as well
Once you get past all the insecurities and accept yourself for who you have become, sex gradually stops being so scary.
A lot of the time, the physical pains we experience add to our worries, but then those worries weigh on our minds and the cycle doesn’t know how to stop.
Many women already dread the idea of menopause which then makes the whole experience that much scarier.
But what if someone told you there is really not that much to worry or stress about as long as you gracefully accept that menopause is just a natural aspect of growing up?
Yes, growing up. Who says you can’t still be growing up as a 50- or 60-year-old? There’s still so much to learn about life and yourself in general.
Maybe sex at 60 is no longer about just the physical facades, maybe now it’s more about your spiritual connection with your partner.
- You feel more confident about yourself
As you grow older and learn more about life, you also learn about who you are and can be more unapologetically you. Self-love comes naturally now and that builds up your confidence.
Many women in their 50s have shared stories about how they are now free from insecurities and can have sex comfortably.
They already know what they like and what turns them on, and they are past the experimental stage.
A lot of such empowered women have claimed that sex has never been better for them at this age group. So, there is also something to look forward to.
According to Science Direct, Australian and New Zealand researchers conducted a new study, as published in the journal “Body Image, Volume 39,” to investigate the level of body image satisfaction among 15,264 participants aged 18 to 94 years, with approximately 63% of them being women. The study utilized longitudinal data spanning a minimum of six years, from 2010 to 2015. The findings indicate that women tend to experience dissatisfaction with their bodies, but self-esteem shows a positive correlation with age, peaking at around 60 years, though the peak remains relative in nature.
Not all sex after menopause stories is thrilling horror stories. It depends who you learn from and what they have got to teach you about the way these women have lived their own lives.
If you’ve lived well, your old age can also come along smoothly.
- Now that it’s slower, it’s more satisfying
Clearly, with a drop in oestrogen, getting sexually aroused takes an even longer time than when you were in your 20s or 30s.
But there is good news here—who’s to say that slow means bad? If anything, slow means better momentum build-up and this could make you remain excited for longer.
Now that it takes time for you to get aroused, there is more time for foreplay. As you know, sensual foreplay also deepens your connection with your partner.
The more emotionally connected you feel towards your sexual partner, the more satisfying sex gets.
Hopefully, you remain faithful to a long-time partner because an emotional connection is more difficult to build with strangers you have only known for a short period of time.
Also, being with one partner ensures that they also learn your rhythm and can expect what you want. That makes everything simpler!
To wrap up, sex after menopause has been a taboo topic, and people are always curious. We hope these five things are new to you, and you can learn more about sex after menopause through these tips.
Does A Woman’s Sex Drive Return After Menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and is defined as the point at which a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. It is a time of significant hormonal changes in a woman’s body, leading to physical and emotional symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and decreased sex drive. While the physical symptoms of menopause are well-known and widely discussed, the impact of menopause on a woman’s sex drive is often overlooked. Many women wonder if their sex drive will return after menopause, and the answer is not a simple yes or no.
To understand if a woman’s sex drive returns after menopause, it is essential to understand the hormonal changes that occur during this time. Menopause signals the end of a woman’s reproductive years, and with it, the production of estrogen and progesterone decreases significantly. These two hormones play a crucial role in regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, but they also have a significant impact on a woman’s sex drive. Estrogen is responsible for maintaining vaginal lubrication, while progesterone helps to regulate mood and libido.
During menopause, the decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels can lead to a decrease in libido or sex drive in women. This decline in sexual desire can be attributed to the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, fatigue, and mood swings, which can make sex less appealing. The physical changes in a woman’s body during menopause can also affect her self-esteem and body image, leading to a decrease in sexual desire.
However, not all women experience a decline in libido during menopause. Some women report an increase in sexual desire, while others say that their sex drive remains unchanged. The impact of menopause on a woman’s sex drive varies from woman to woman and depends on several factors such as overall health, relationship status, and psychological well-being.
One of the most significant factors that determine if a woman’s sex drive will return after menopause is her overall health. Women who have a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, are more likely to experience a return in their sex drive after menopause. Exercise can improve mood and energy levels, while a healthy diet can help maintain hormone balance. Additionally, women who have a good relationship with their bodies and have a positive attitude towards menopause are more likely to experience an increase in their sex drive.
Another factor that can influence a woman’s sex drive after menopause is her relationship status. Women in a loving and supportive relationship are more likely to have an active sex life after menopause. This is because a healthy and fulfilling relationship can provide emotional support and intimacy, which can help overcome the physical symptoms of menopause. On the other hand, women who are single or in a troubled relationship may experience a decrease in their sex drive as a result of the emotional stress and lack of emotional connection.
Psychological well-being also plays a crucial role in determining a woman’s sex drive after menopause. Women who have a positive attitude towards their bodies and aging are more likely to have a healthy sex drive after menopause. On the other hand, women who view menopause negatively and perceive it as the end of their sexuality may experience a decrease in their libido. Additionally, women who have unresolved emotional issues or mental health problems may also have a lower sex drive during menopause.
In conclusion, the answer to the question ‘Does a woman’s sex drive return after menopause?’ is not a simple yes or no. While some women may experience a decline in their libido during menopause, others may see an increase or no significant change at all. The impact of menopause on a woman’s sex drive depends on various factors such as overall health, relationship status, and psychological well-being. However, with a healthy lifestyle, a positive attitude, and a supportive partner, a woman’s sex drive can return after menopause. It is essential for women to communicate with their partners and healthcare providers about any changes in their sex drive during menopause, as there are various treatments and strategies that can help improve sexual desire and function.
