Can Hormone Replacement Treatment Help Men with Their Sex Life?
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Does Menopause Affect Your Sex Life?
Many women associate menopause with the end of their menstrual periods, which some may see as a benefit. So, while you may expect to no longer bleed every month, changes to your sex life might come as more of a surprise.
At Progressive Women’s Health OB/GYN in Friendswood, Texas, experienced women’s care provider Asia Mohsin, MD, encourages you to open up about your menopause symptoms so we can help.
Dr. Mohsin specializes in treating the most bothersome symptoms of menopause with today’s latest treatments, including hormone replacement therapy and topical estrogen.
How your sex life might change in menopause
You may notice some changes in your sexual habits or changes in the way sex feels as you enter menopause. You can still be sexually active, but your body may not respond to sex in the same way as when you were younger.
Women commonly experience sex-related menopause symptoms such as:
Vaginal dryness
Hormone changes in menopause can make your vaginal tissues less lubricated. You can counteract some of the dryness with sex-safe lubricants, and there are also medical treatments available for vaginal dryness.
Pain or discomfort during sex
Sex can be painful during menopause because of the hormone-related changes that affect your vaginal tissues. They become thinner, more delicate, and often, less stretchy. That can make sex feel uncomfortable or even downright painful.
Low libido
You may lose the desire to have sex, or at least feel much less motivated to have sex than you did before menopause.
A lower sex drive is common among menopausal women. Only about 50% of women continue to be sexually active in their 50s, a number that drops to 27% by the time they reach their 70s.
Why these changes happen
Your attitude toward sex and the sensations you feel can change during menopause because of the hormone changes that occur. Sex hormones such as estrogen drive sexual arousal, so when your ovaries stop producing it, you naturally may feel less sexual desire.
Other age-related changes can occur around menopause that also contribute to declining sexual activity. Chronic pain, osteoporosis, fatigue, and illnesses can all make sex seem less desirable.
Additionally, your mental health and relationships can change with age. If these are factors in your sex life, you may benefit from counseling alongside any menopause treatments.
Your options for treatment
Dr. Mohsin can treat menopause symptoms individually or collectively. When you visit Progressive Women’s Health OB/GYN, let her know about your menopause symptoms and how they impact your life.
Based on your experiences, Dr. Mohsin may recommend:
- Systemic hormone replacement therapy
- Vaginal estrogen
- Low-dose hormonal contraceptives
- Estrogen patches
- Osphena® for painful sex
- Intrarosa® for painful sex and vaginal dryness
Lifestyle changes may also help, depending on your goals with menopause treatment. Dr. Mohsin can help you determine what steps to take to benefit your sexual vitality and overall health.
Call Progressive Women’s Health OB/GYN or request an appointment online today to learn more about menopause treatment.
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