Sexual Problems in Menopause

What is sexual dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction means a dysfunctional sex life. There must be a problem of a certain duration and severity, and you have to experience for yourself the condition as problematic. In menopausal women can sex life be affected by many different conditions, and sexual dysfunction can have both biological, psychological and social causes. In most cases these are a mixture, and although the problem originates in the body (such as a decline in female sex hormone), then it may spread to the woman’s self-esteem and possible. Relationships.

Sexual dysfunction is traditionally divided into four diagnostic groups:

• Light Problems
• arousal
• orgasm Problems
• pain Problems

Of course one can well see more dysfunctions while and have intercourse pain due. Vaginal dryness, it will typically affect one’s arousal and ability to orgasm negatively.

How common is sexual dysfunction?

Sexual problems occur relatively frequently in women and the incidence increases with age. Menopause (also called menopause or menopause) may have a negative influence on sexuality, although, as mentioned is a big difference from woman to woman. Among sexually active women reported the following numbers:

• Bright problem occurs in 15-25% of women before menopause and by 40-55% after menopause
• Vaginal dryness is reported in 10-15% before menopause and in 25-30% after menopause
• Orgasm problems occurs in about 20% of all age groups with a trend for increased prevalence among the youngest women
• Painful intercourse occurs in approximately 5% of younger women. The incidence increases with age, and the incidence varies between 10% and 45% among women after menopause

It is important to remember that there is a difference between statistics and individual women’s lives. Although looking a greater incidence of sexual problems during menopause, it does not mean that all women in this age group experience sexual genes. On the contrary, describes quite a few women that the physical and psychosocial changes give them a new calmness and maturity which works enriching their sexual life.

What causes sexual dysfunction in menopause?

Numerous factors affect sexual life, and numerous factors apply to women in menopause. It may involve biological changes (eg decrease in female sex hormone with vaginal dryness and tenderness, hot flashes and mood swings to follow), psychological changes (eg sadness of no longer being able to have children or decreased self-esteem, as the body ages) and social changes (eg, marital conflict, divorce or illness of a spouse / partner). It can also greatly be about self-fulfilling expectations: If you think that your sex life only belongs to the fertile years, it can lead to the desire ceases after menopause.

When menstruation ceases, there is a rapid decline in the body’s levels of the sex hormone estrogen, while completely from 25 years of age made a slow decline in the level of male hormones. The low estrogen levels after menopause can provide a more thin and dry mucous membrane of the vagina, which can cause discomfort and painful intercourse. There is no evidence that the decline in estrogen levels associated with decreased sexual desire or disturbed arousal, orgasm and overall enjoyment. Is the level of male hormone (testosterone) contrary very low, it may well nedføre decreased sexual desire and arousal.

What are the symptoms of sexual dysfunction in menopause?

The typical sexual complaints of menopausal women is partly a lack of sexual desire, partly discomfort or pain during intercourse. Some women find themselves change as problematic, while the biggest problem for others is that their partner has a hard time accepting that their sex life is changing. As a rule, the woman and her possible. Partner, however, agree that there is a problem. Even if you are alone, you may well have a sexual dysfunction – for example if you are no longer able to masturbate, which could previously.

How is it diagnosed?

In an interview with the practitioner succeeds as a rule to clarify the sexual problems and their causes. Sometimes the doctor will make a regular checkup while rarely need blood tests. Is there pain during intercourse, a gynecological examination is a good idea to rule out that there are changes in the abdomen that requires treatment.

What treatments are available?

Traditional treatment consists of sexological counseling, exercise and talk therapy and / or hormonal therapy. Choice of treatment is based on an individual assessment, paying attention to your subjective discomforts, risk factors and underlying causes. It is also important if you are in a stable relationship or single.

An important part of treatment is to help you and your possible. Partner to talk openly and honestly about the situation and about your respective needs. It is important to discuss problems openly, otherwise they tend to grow larger and larger. And not infrequently one sees that a sexual problem eventually evolves into an intimacy problem, which only makes the frustration greater.

Among the most common physical therapies include:

Silicone-based lubricant. Can alleviate vaginal dryness and making intercourse more pleasurable.

Massager / vibrator. Are some women / couples a good means to induce sexual arousal and pleasure. A vibrator can also be used for stimulation of the penis.

Alternative sexual positions. Here it is all about trial and error, so both parties get enjoyment out of it.

Estrogen . About supplements of estrogen (possibly in combination with the sex hormone progesterone) helps treat sexual dysfunction, has been discussed for many years and remains a controversial issue. However, it is undeniable that the estrogen in the form of gel, patch or any. Tablets can reduce vaginal dryness, and pain associated with sexual intercourse. There are no recent studies showing a beneficial effect on women’s sexual desire, orgasm frequency or overall sexual pleasure after treatment with estrogen. The drawback of estrogen in combination with progestin is suspected increased risk of blood clots.

Estrogen locally. Estrogen can also be given in the vagina in the form of cream, tablet or suppository. It achieved considerable local impact, but minimal effect on the body in general. The treatment improves vaginal dryness and relieve pain during intercourse. None of the treatment options affect sexual desire.

Supplementation of testosterone. Results of several studies suggest that testosterone may have a positive effect on sexual dysfunction in women. To get this effect, it must be taken so much testosterone that can be side effects including in the form of increased body hair, coarse skin and deeper voice. In the long term there may also be a risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Tibolone. This composition has both estrogen and progesteroneffekt, and a weak effect of male hormone.There are a few research which shows that it may have a beneficial effect in terms of sexual desire, vaginal dryness and orgasm.

Sildenafil (Viagra). There is no evidence that the drug has an effect on sexual dysfunction in women.

Pelvic floor exercises . Evidence suggests that women with good sense of their pelvic floor (obtained through regular pelvic floor exercises) find it easier to control their sexual function and perhaps maintain the ability to achieve sexual pleasure and orgasm.

How is long-term prospects?

If the woman and her possible. Partner is motivated to jointly address the problems, the outlook is good. In almost all cases can be better or normalize the sexual situation. But it requires patience and willingness to dialogue. And it demands that you dare to explore new avenues and experiment a little forward.

How do I avoid or worsen sexual dysfunction in menopause?

A healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally is a good starting point for a well-functioning sex life. If there is anyway genes, it is important that you recognize the problem and talk openly with a possible. Partner about them. If you pretend nothing or playing comedy, there is a risk that the problems grow bigger – and there is a risk that the sexual problems lead to misunderstandings. Experiment – and have a chat with your GP if you have any doubts or need a helping hand. He / she is there immediately.