Menopause and your sexual health
Sexual Health Week takes place from 9th to 15th September, and aims to highlight the importance of treating sexual health as we would any aspect of our health.
Women going through menopause have different experiences, but it is not uncommon for there to be sexual health concerns. The changes in menopause that can cause various responses, including low desire, vaginal dryness and pain during or after intercourse, can be extremely uncomfortable and distressing to manage.
Here, we discuss sexual health in menopause. We’ll also share how our compassionate team of female doctors can help women during this difficult phase.
Common sexual health problems in menopause
Although many women experience difficulties with sexual health during menopause, this does not affect everyone. There are many different factors that can contribute including medical history, psychological and social-cultural factors.
An Australian study involving over 2,000 women found that low desire, sexually related personal distress, and hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD) are common in women at midlife.
Some possible changes in menopause that may impact on your sex life include:
- Decreased oestrogen levels cause the vaginal tissue to become drier and thinner
- Hormonal changes may affect your libido
- Night sweats can cause disturbed sleep, making you tired
- Emotional changes can impact on mood, making you stressed or irritable
With the right support, many of these issues can be treated with safe and effective therapies.
Sexually transmitted infections in menopause
Although menopause can cause different challenges for older women with their sexual health, there is still the same risk of catching an STI.
A recent Australian study showed that STI rates were increasing faster in older women aged 55 to 64 years compared with younger age groups.
This highlights the increased risk of STIs for women in menopause. Biological changes such as decreased oestrogen levels and vaginal atrophy can lead to thinner, more fragile vaginal tissues.
These changes make the vaginal environment more susceptible to infections.
For women who are concerned about any symptoms of an STI, EssexPrivateGP offers a sexual health screening package. Our experienced doctors can recommend the right tests, that can be performed in-clinic or at one of our recommended diagnostics clinics, and will provide a quick diagnosis, tailored treatments and advice.
Treatments for women going through menopause
At EssexPrivateGP, we have a team of experienced female doctors who offer comprehensive menopause care, focusing on personalised treatments that address both general symptoms and sexual health concerns.
Our personalised care plans include lifestyle advice and support for managing mood changes, sleep disturbances, and other menopausal symptoms. For example, we will help identify certain triggers of symptoms, such as alcohol or caffeine, so these can be excluded.
For changes during menopause affecting sexual health, we can provide Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to alleviate symptoms like vaginal dryness and low libido. For those who cannot, or prefer not to have HRT, we have non-hormonal options including plant phyto-oestrogens such as red clover, sage and sea buckthorn oil.
Get in touch to book a menopause consultation today by calling 01277 568562 or email contact@essexprivategp.com and discover personalised treatments to enhance your overall well-being and sexual health during menopause.
