Women and Sexuality - How to Overcome Challenges During Menopause
Women and Sexuality - How to Overcome Challenges During Menopause
Menopause is an unavoidable change that every woman who reaches middle age will experience. It signals the end of the fertile phase of a woman's life and brings with it many changes including a sense of feeling unwell. And, for some women, this may adversely affect their daily activities including sexual performance.
The onset of menopause means hormonal changes in the woman's body which are responsible for the hot flashes, night sweats, increased stress, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, forgetfulness and mood changes experienced by most of the women. In certain cases it may lead to osteoporosis (bone loss) and or heart disease.
Sexual Problems During Menopause:
Vaginal Dryness during and after menopause.
Painful Sexual Intercourse: Although this has many causes, some of them psychological, dryness of the vagina brought about by menopause is a major culprit.
Reduced Libido.
Problem Reaching Orgasm.
Management:
First and foremost it is important to realize that menopause is not a disease and one does not necessarily need medical intervention. However, some women will be emotionally affected by the onset of menopause especially if they have not taken the trouble to understand their anatomy. For these counseling will more often than not solve their problem.
Hormone Replacement Therapy - HRT. This is very effective in preventing bone loss (osteoporosis) and vaginal dryness. It offers relief from hot flashes, joint pains and is known to improve sleep quality. But before any woman is given HRT she must be informed about the possible risks of the treatment such as cancer of the uterus, vaginal bleeding, liver disease, coronary artery disease, blood clots in the veins and unexpected pregnancy.
Welcome menopause with a positive attitude. Relax and think of all the wonderful sex you will have without condoms, life without any female contraception plus the related side effects, and the end of the messy monthly periods. Think about it. While the sexual urge in some women may slow down, for most them the appetite does not die as they age. And it is a fact that some women have experienced heightened post-menopausal sexual drive.
Get positive. It is said that women are their own enemies when it comes to getting the best out of this life.They do not discuss their sexual interests openly even with their partners. You should always be free to let your partner know what gives you maximum pleasure. Start by getting rid of the outdated belief that the onset of menopause is nature's reminder that you are too old for active sex.That is the best way to overcome challenges during menopause.
Franc.