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Tonight many women will find themselves burning up and getting hot and sweaty between the sheets; but for all the wrong reasons. Hot flushes and night sweats are two common symptoms of menopause that affect some women as they approach middle age. But another less talked about symptom of menopause is its impact on women’s sex lives.
Most women will experience some changes in sexual function as they age due to thinning of the vaginal walls and dryness. In addition, some women find that their libido decreases around this time. However, this Valentine’s Day, health experts are reminding older women and their partners that menopause does not have to mean the end of their sex lives forever.
Dr Elizabeth Farrell is a gynaecologist at the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health. “Many women seem to think that menopause signals the end of their sex lives but this is not necessarily true,” says Dr Farrell.
“If you want to have sex but you’re having problems with pain, discomfort or lack of desire, you should talk to your partner and see a health professional together. There is a range of treatment options available – you don’t just have to ‘put up with it’. It’s also important to note that not everyone will see a low-sex or no-sex relationship as a problem, and that’s fine too. As long as you and your partner are both happy, that’s the main thing.”
Recently, the North American Menopause Society published an online resource about sexual health and menopause. The resource offers excellent advice for women and their partners in straight-forward and easy-to-understand language. It also contains a section of frequently asked questions from real couples. The resource is available at www.menopause.org.
Published with the permission of the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women’s Health
Women seeking further health information can visit the website: www.jeanhailes.org.au or call the toll free number 1800 JEAN HAILES (532 642).