During menopause, not only our life changes, but we also change, both physically and mentally. Menopausal and postmenopausal sex may be disrupted. Women can experience vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, atrophic changes within the vagina.

How to deal with these problems? The changes that occur during menopause in the genitourinary system are caused by estrogen deficiency. Atrophic changes (atrophic) refer to the uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes and the urethra, bladder, and breast. They can affect libido and the quality of sex.

Menopause: how genitals change

The vaginal mucosa and her vestibule become thin, pale and inflexible. The vestibule of the vagina narrows. The secretion of cervical mucus also decreases, which causes a feeling of dryness. At the same time, the process of lactic acid production, responsible for normal, acidic vaginal reaction, is stopped. Disorders of the balance of bacterial flora favor the development of the so-called atrophic inflammation, which manifests itself in vaginal discharge, unpleasant itching, pain during intercourse, and sometimes also abnormal bleeding. The same happens in the bladder and urethra, resulting in a urinary tract infection. There may also be a pain when passing urine. Past pregnancies often a hard physical work take its toll, and estrogen deficiency weakens the pelvic floor muscles. The first symptoms are the feeling of pressure or weight in the abdomen. The consequence may be a fall of prolapse of the uterus.

Atrophic changes gradually increase, but one can not expect them to subside or remain unnoticeable. If you do nothing, they will get worse. Begin doing Kegel exercises that rely on the most frequent tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, by interrupting the urinary stream, preferably several times during one stay in the toilet. You will feel which muscles work and you will learn to stretch them. Infections can be avoided by daily hygiene with the use of chemical-free washing liquids (but not excess) and moisturizing creams around the intimate area.

Menopausal incontinence  

It is associated with atrophic processes in the genitourinary organs. Urinary incontinence forces you to wear sanitary napkins. Up to 25 percent postmenopausal women suffer from that.

What can you do? First of all, tell your holistic partitioner about your problem. It’s a disease like any other, nothing to be ashamed of. If you report to the doctor in advance, he might propose bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. After applying it, you will immediately feel the improvement. The use of vaginal preparations with estrogen cream is also effective. Menopause and sex It happens that during the menopause, interest in sex decreases. Due to physiological changes, depression, a feeling of less attractive – the bedroom is the last place that a woman wants to hit. At the basis of this behavior lies the pain or vaginal dryness. Meanwhile, sex can be beautiful, because it is deprived of fear of unwanted pregnancy. Promotes physical and mental health. Change the time you take medicines that reduce interest in sex. Tell your partner that you need more caresses to get you started.

Tips for boosting your sexual pleasure:  

Moisturize. A vaginal moisturizer will ease dryness over the long term. Some of them contain bio-identical estrogen which is even better. Water-based products or silicone are both sold over the counter. Use it routinely, not just before sex.

Make time for foreplay. It is vital to spend more time getting aroused because that makes you wetter. Take time to caress, touch, have oral sex or try varied positions. Laugh and giggle, have some fun. Communicate to your partner about what feels good and what doesn’t.

Wash with care. Don’t use shower gels, bubble bath, soaps and, and bath oils in the vaginal area. They can dry the skin on the vagina. A warm-water rinse will do the job. Also, skip any perfumes and sprays. When you’re having problems, wash your underwear with mild chemical free organic soap. Buy your undies made from white cotton.

Have more sex. The old saying is true: “Use it or lose it.” Being aroused improves blood flow, and when you have sex often, you’re less dry. Self-pleasure can be a savior if other sex acts hurt.

Pelvic floor physical therapy

A physical therapist or massage therapist uses hands-on techniques such as gentle pressure or massage to stretch and relax tightened tissues in the pelvic area. They can also teach you exercises to help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which may have been weakened by childbirth, hormonal changes, aging, and certain physical strains.

Counseling

Issues such as poor communication in a relationship, anxiety, depression may contribute to painful sex. Having problems with painful sex can put a lot of stress on a relationship. Talking with a mental health professional or sex therapist may help.

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In Health,

Angie