It’s estimated that about 6,000 women reach menopause daily in the U.S. This number translates to a staggering 1.3 million every year. Though the transition into menopause is expected, that doesn’t mean the symptoms are easy to manage. Statistics show that up to 75 percent of women experience hot flashes and night sweats, while 77 percent of them experience some form of sexual dysfunction. When it comes to Black women, studies show that they’re more likely to start menopause at an earlier age, experience more severe symptoms, and have less access to much-needed medical intervention. Knowing this, it’s a good idea to find out different ways to alleviate your symptoms.
3 Reasons Sex Might be the Answer
According to a recent study, having sex regularly may help to ease specific symptoms of menopause that affect issues like vaginal dryness and a low sex drive. Here’s why.
1. It Improves Blood Flow
According to the study of 900 women who were either perimenopausal or postmenopausal, those who had sex more regularly reported fewer instances of vaginal dryness or irritation. Though these claims would need further study, researchers suggest that the ease in their symptoms could be attributed to increased blood flow to the vulva. The boost in blood flow could lead to more oxygenated tissues that aren’t as dry and fragile. You may also experience better lubrication, which would decrease pain and irritation.
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2. It Can Boost Your Mood
Statistics show that one in two menopausal women have mood changes that disrupt their lives. Additionally, 77 percent of them will have a low sex drive. However, when you orgasm, your brain releases oxytocin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are known as ‘feel-good’ hormones because they’re associated with better moods and getting a good night’s sleep. During the study, researchers found that the participants who masturbated regularly reported feeling better and more inclined to be sexually active.
3. It Can Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
Your pelvic floor is comprised of multiple muscles and connective tissue. Among its important functions, you’ll find that it has an invaluable contribution to sexual arousal and orgasms. Unfortunately, the muscles in your pelvic floor have estrogen receptors and so are also susceptible to the hormone’s fluctuations that occur during menopause. At that point in your life, the muscles in your pelvic floor can become thicker, less agile, and weaker. Weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to bladder leakage, pelvic organ prolapse, and pain during sex. The participants in this recent study, though, found that they had less discomfort when sexually active over time. They also experienced more arousal and better orgasms. While more research is needed, the contractions that accompany an orgasm may help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
RELATED: Maintaining Your Sex Life During & After Menopause
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Tips for Being Intimate When Going Through Menopause
It’s important to note that penetrative sex isn’t the only way to ease some of the symptoms of menopause. Orgasms through masturbation may be just as effective. Unfortunately, some doctors suggest that fewer than 20 percent of women have tried it as a way to manage their symptoms. During the study of how sex might be able to help menopausal women, only 27 percent of the participants reported masturbating to help with the condition. When asked, though, almost 50 percent said they would be willing to try masturbation if their doctors recommended it.
While the reasons behind their reluctance may be varied, it’s possible that some women aren’t trying it because they don’t know it could help. Statistics show that 94 percent of women say they were never educated about menopause, its symptoms, or possible avenues for relief. Additionally, only 48 percent of women in perimenopause talk to their doctors about menopause, while another 58 percent only broached the topic with their doctors when they were postmenopausal.
One way to encourage masturbation is to treat pleasure as part of your overall wellness. You should take the time to find out what works for you and your changing body. For some, that may mean using different toys and setting the mood while indulging in prolonged foreplay. Depending on what you use, lubricant could also come into play.
If you’re also interested in penetrative sex, then it’s important to explore products that encourage the lubrication and overall health of your pelvic area. Lubricants are the best short-term option that can help ease vaginal dryness during sex. However, you can also use vaginal moisturizers. These products focus on easing vaginal dryness and encouraging tissue repair. Instead of using them before or during sex, you would use them multiple times per week as you would take medication. For those who have external irritation, topical creams can help with that as well.
Despite all this preparation, you still need to make a few changes during the act of sex to ensure that you’re comfortable. Your partner should take their time with foreplay and move slowly with the penetrative portion of the activity. You may need to try different positions that favor more shallow penetration so that you don’t feel pain. It’s also a good idea to make note of anything that feels better than others while being intimate. Doing them will encourage arousal and make it more likely for you to try again.
RELATED: Your Sex Life Doesn’t Have to Suffer During Menopause
When to See Your Doctor
There are many ways to manage your symptoms without a doctor’s help, but for some, that’s not enough. If you’re still experiencing significant issues regardless of what you do, then that’s a sign that you need to see your doctor. These problems could include hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, pain during sexual activity, vaginal irritation or itching, brain fog, and trouble sleeping.
Your doctor should discuss your symptoms as well as what you have tried to keep them under control. Unfortunately, some women report needing to see multiple doctors before their symptoms were taken seriously. This phenomenon often happens more with Black women than with other ethnicities. If this happens to you, it’s critical not to give up on finding the right doctor who will help you.
Some of the options that can be prescribed to ease menopausal symptoms include medicines that treat some of the complications of menopause, such as mood disorders and an overactive bladder. You may also opt for hormonal therapy, estrogen suppositories, and drugs that mimic estrogen. Generally, your doctor may explore different options before finalizing the best treatment program for you.
Many women lose interest in sex when they’re dealing with menopause. According to a recent study, though, being sexually active might be the answer to certain characteristic symptoms of the condition. If you’d like to explore it, it’s a good idea to start with masturbation and work towards penetrative sex. If nothing works for you, it’s best to talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
