Menopause & intercourse: breaking the taboo for a greater love life

Menopause & intercourse: breaking the taboo for a greater love life: From vaginal dryness to lack of libido and low temper, menopause impacts so many alternative areas of our lives, affecting not solely our every day routines, but additionally {our relationships} with these round us, together with with our companions..Whereas the taboo round menopause has shifted in recent times because of many high-profile campaigns, in relation to intercourse and menopause, ladies are sometimes nonetheless struggling to speak in regards to the difficulties they might be experiencing, and as a consequence they typically don’t ask for assist.

A survey by the British Menopause Society discovered that over a 3rd of ladies reported a lack of intercourse drive throughout menopause, however, of those, fewer than a 3rd sought assist regardless that they had been distressed and unhappy1. One other survey discovered that 80% of ladies, an amazing majority, additionally expertise relationship difficulties throughout menopause and blame the signs they expertise for placing a pressure on their household life2.

Dr Samantha Wild, GP and Medical Lead for Ladies’s Well being at Bupa Well being Clinics, shares her recommendation on what ladies can do to assist reclaim their intercourse lives by menopause and past.

Be open and sincere – it’s commonplace throughout menopause for relationships to breakdown which is probably going as a result of an absence of communication about what is occurring. Typically, a girl modifications because of the signs that she is experiencing, her associate is left confused or upset so doesn’t know the way to reply, and so they drift aside. Open communication along with your associate is essential to sustaining your connection. I do know it might really feel troublesome, however I’d advise that you simply provoke an sincere dialog in regards to the signs you might be experiencing, how they’re making you’re feeling and the way you assume that is impacting your relationship. For instance, when you’ve got been feeling irritable let your associate understand it isn’t due to them however as a result of your heightened feelings. For those who’re scuffling with intercourse, clarify why you’re feeling this manner.

Reconnect – connecting along with your associate with out the stress of the objective being penetrative intercourse can reboot your relationship. You will be intimate in a number of different methods reminiscent of by cuddling, kissing, and therapeutic massage, and discover new methods to attach whether or not by shared hobbies, significant conversations or just spending high quality time collectively as a pair. It’s actually necessary you are taking issues sluggish till you’re feeling comfy once more.

Study what is occurring – when you can, educate your self about menopause and its impression on sexual well being so that you simply perceive the modifications taking place in your physique. This can then assist and empower you to extra confidently discuss to your associate about what you’re going by and be certain that your associate understands too.

Make life-style modifications – It isn’t uncommon for me to see ladies in our well being clinics who’ve felt too drained or achy to train and are consuming an unhealthy eating regimen, so that they’ve gained weight. They could even be self-medicating with alcohol, and all of it will make menopause signs worse and impression how a lot intercourse they need to have. Taking some management again, consuming healthily, exercising frequently and decreasing alcohol consumption can assist scale back stress, enhance sleep, and enhance their temper as they begin to really feel higher about themselves. Exercising with their associate or experimenting with cooking extra wholesome meals collectively may additionally assist with reconnecting.

Moisturise – One thing that’s readily accessible over-the-counter and will be very efficient are vaginal lubricants and moisturisers which may actually assist with vaginal dryness. Simply as we moisturise the pores and skin on our face to assist forestall dryness, we will do the identical for our vaginas. These are often lengthy lasting and so solely have to be utilized each couple of days. Lubricants can be used for having intercourse and must be utilized simply earlier than which is able to assist to reinforce consolation and pleasure throughout intimacy.

Search help – when you’ve got taken the entire above steps and are nonetheless struggling and your relationship continues to be affected by your menopause signs, I’d recommend talking to a GP who will advocate remedy that will help you handle your signs. Counselling or {couples} remedy may additionally assist deal with any points or psychological obstacles affecting the connection which in the end might improve sexual satisfaction.

References:1.

Bupa was created on 3 April 1947 with the founding goal – ‘to forestall, relieve and treatment illness and ill-health of each sort’ – enshrined in our authentic structure, combining a caring ethos with freedom of alternative.