Does menopause interfere with sexual activity?

Questions answered by a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

Coming to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vinmec International Hospital, many women in perimenopause complain of no longer "inspiration", but others who are over 50, even over 60 still wonder why their body is always demand. So, does menopause interfere with sexual activities and lose sex drive?

1. What is menopause and when does menopause happen? Menopause is the permanent end of menstruation, which is confirmed when a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months with no apparent cause. During this 12-month period, it is still possible for a woman to become pregnant. This is a time of change, menopause is not a disease. Average age: 51 years old, usually 45-55 years old. In Asian countries it usually takes place earlier. It may be as early as 40 and it may be as late as 60. If there are many children, the age of menopause is later.
The age of menopause can be determined by genes regardless of other factors.

2. Signs of perimenopause and menopause Each woman has a different manifestation of perimenopause with very different symptoms and intensity
Menstrual changes: can be shorter or longer, can be more or less. Need to go to the doctor when: bleeding for more than 1 week, heavy bleeding, clots or menorrhagia, markedly shortened menstrual period, bleeding after intercourse Hot flashes: Night sweats in more than 75% of women, feeling hot flushes of the face, chest, and neck. Temporary redness on chest, back, and arms. Sleep disorders: insomnia, deep sleep (rapid eye movement – ​​REM) is shorter. Suppression and depression, forgetting and remembering. Sexual changes: vaginal dryness and pain, susceptibility to infection and itching. Vulvar leukoplakia. Desire to change: can be less but can also be more. Changes in the urinary tract: dry urethra, easy irritation, nocturia, easy bladder infection. Skin is less elastic, lacks collagen. Risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Other possible changes: fatigue, poor memory, muscle and joint pain, weight gain. Endocrine: At first, AMH, Inhibin-B decreased, FSH increased. During menopause, estradiol (E2) drops significantly. Testosterone drops

3. Sex during menopause In fact, menopause does not affect too much sex desire. The biggest effect is low estrogen levels causing vaginal dryness.
Therefore, the need for sex is a need of all ages and it comes from many reasons, not just depending on menopause or age. So it's not unusual for women over 50, 60 years old to still have a high sex drive.
This age can reduce libido, or take longer to have sexual excitement, or take longer to have an orgasm.
If regular sex during menopause helps keep the vagina elastic and, in fact, sex after menopause, many couples feel more comfortable
No worries about pregnancy morning Have more time together, when you're older

4. How to improve sexual performance for menopausal women 4.1 Lifestyle adjustments Exercise (30 minutes/day), eat, sleep and reduce stress. Diet: low-fat diet, low cholesterol, increased calcium intake (500 - 1200 mg per day for women over 51 years old), vitamin D (800 - 1000 UI per day for pregnant women over 51 years old), sunbathing ( 15 minutes/day).

4.2 Aids for sexual performance in menopause Some medications are currently being used to aid sexual performance – Hormonal free, topical, FDA approved and prescribed by obstetricians and gynecologists – Available in Vietnam Male sensitizers: Gel Zestra, applied to the clitoris and large lips, works immediately from 3-5 minutes and lasts 45 minutes. Long-lasting vaginal moisturizing: Replens, vaginal application, cleans dead cells and stimulates regeneration of AD mucosal cells, moisturizing for 3 days. Increased sexual arousal: Vigel topical gel, containing L-Arginine and Peppermint. Increases Nitric Oxide, causing an increase in local blood volume. Water-soluble lubricants: Astroglyde, K-Y Jelly. Do not use oil-soluble lubricants as they will damage the condom. Heat and vibrate

4.3 Use of hormone replacement therapy Benefits of this therapy
Reduce hot flashes, relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness and urinary abnormalities. Reduced risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer

5. Tests to do when assessing menopause, before hormone replacement therapy at Vinmec General gynecological examination, breast examination Gynecological ultrasound Vaginal cell test Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer Mammogram Mammogram Bone density test Quantitative endocrine hormone test: FSH, LH, AMH, Estradiol (E2), Testosterone. Tests for total cholesterol, LDL and HDL Liver function tests and blood sugars Urinalysis test

Although it is not a disease that affects health or life, when encountering this disorder, a woman's sex life cannot avoid difficulties. Hopefully the above sharing will help you better understand your body to better improve your sex life during menopause.
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