Five tips to get your post-menopause sex life back on track

The internet is awash with tips, tricks and hacks to fix minor medical problems. But how much of it is accurate and can be trusted? In an age of misinformation and social media ‘experts’, it is always better to ask someone who is in the know about your health woes.

Each week, Superintendent Pharmacist Claire Nevinson will answer our readers’ questions on everything from insomnia and indigestion to trapped wind and toilet troubles. This week, Claire tackles post-menopause sex…

Q: I recently found love again at 65 following the death of my husband.

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My new partner is keen for us to be intimate but post-menopause, things are not as they once were. Do you have any advice to make things more comfortable?

A: There’s a myth that going through the menopause means that sex life is over. However, this does not have to be the case. While some of the hormonal changes that come with menopause may change the way you experience sex and your body, there’s lots you can do to create a happy and pleasurable sex life that feels right for you.

Sexual desire or libido

Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone control different areas of our sexual health, including our sex drive. Menopause causes these hormone levels to decrease, which could lead to a reduced sex drive for some.

If you’re in a relationship, it’s important to have open and honest conversations with your partner about sex. This may help work through some of the challenges you might be experiencing.

Vaginal dryness

Lower oestrogen levels can also reduce the blood flow to your genitals, which can make it more difficult to get aroused. With this, may also come difficulty in natural lubrication, potentially causing penetrative sex to be uncomfortable or painful.

There are many over-the-counter lubrication gels and creams that can help reduce vaginal dryness.

Pleasure

What many people don’t realise is that menopause can cause the clitoris to shrink, meaning some people may find it more difficult to orgasm.

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegels, can help increase the blood flow to the genital area and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, both of which can in turn help reach an orgasm. Aids such as sex toys and vibrators can also help by helping you re-discover what feels good for you.

It’s important to remember that these menopause signs are completely normal and you are not going through this alone.

Don’t be afraid to speak to peers or those in similar situations and you can also speak to your local pharmacist or GP about any concerns you have.