For many women, perimenopause and menopause come with a host of physical and emotional curves, including changes to their libido and the experience of sex itself.
Some experts, however, think it would be a big mistake to conclude data that more sex will solve the medical problem of painful sex. Indeed, the direction of the relationship between not having sex and painful sexual relations is probably going in the other direction, explains Lauren Streicher, MD, founding medical director of the Northwestern Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause in Chicago.
“What this observational study has essentially found that women who have no pain during sex are sex. And women who suffer from pain during sexual relations are less likely to be sexually active – either surprising, “said Dr. Streicher, who was not part of the investigation.
While desire has decreased, orgasm and sexual satisfaction have remained the same
The study examined more than 900 Japanese women aged 40 to 79 who had been sexually active in the past year.
The researchers divided them into two groups:
- Women who had engaged in sexual activity in the last three months (group “regular activity”)
- Women who had not been sexually active in the last three months but who have had in the past year (the group “Weaker activity”).
Key results included:
- Women who have been sexually active in the last three months have reported fewer symptoms of vaginal drought, pain and irritation during their daily life.
- Desire, excitement and lubrication capacity have decreased with age, but orgasm and satisfaction have remained almost the same, especially in women who maintained regular sexual activity.
- Women in the regular activity group were generally younger and more likely to be premenopausal, which could partly explain the results, according to the authors. However, the link between regular intimacy and fewer symptoms has remained, even after adjustment for factors such as age and hormone therapy.
Is there any real to “use or lose it”?
For women with the geniopause genitorerinary syndrome that experience pain during sex, having sex will not help less painful sex, explains Streicher.
“On the contrary,” she said. “If it’s painful, sex aggravates.
But there is real in the adage “use it or lose it” for people who have a penetrating sex without pain, explains Streicher.
“If they have a regular penetration, whether it is a penis or a toy or a vibrator or everything they use, which stimulates blood circulation, this helps lubrication, and this keeps the tissue elastic. There is therefore a truth to “use or lose it” with the warning that it is for people who have no pain with sex “.
Do you have pain during sex? Talk to a menopause expert to get a treatment
“A big point to remember here is that it is never acceptable to have pain with sex. If you have pain with penetration, you should stop having sex or sex to penetration.
You should talk to a health professional – preferably a menopause expert – to get treatment, she said.
Monica Christmas, MD, associate medical director of the Society menopause and obstetrics and gynecology associate in Uchicago Medicine, says that the results highlight the importance of diagnosing and treating the genitorerian syndrome of menopause.
“Unlike other symptoms related to menopause such as Vasomotor [hot flashes and night sweats] Or mood-related symptoms that can improve over time without treatment, genitourinary symptoms do not do it, “said Dr. Christmas, who was not the author of the study.
Vaginal estrogen therapy is the most effective therapy
For a slight discomfort during sexual intercourse, free -free moisturizers and lubricants can provide a certain relief, but when the symptoms persist or are more moderate in serious, prescription therapy is justified, says Christmas.
“Therapy with low-dose vaginal estrogen is safe and very effective in alleviating the annoying vulvovaginal symptoms contributing to pain and the avoidance of sexual intercourse,” she said. “Unlike systemic hormone therapy, there are almost no contraindications in vaginal estrogen therapy at low dose at low doses.” A contraindication is a condition which constitutes a reason not to take a certain treatment due to potential damage.
Vaginal estrogen therapy is available in many formulations, including a vaginal pill, insertion and a administered core twice a week, or a vaginal ring inserted every three months. “It can be started at any time and continued indefinitely,” explains Christmas.
Although vaginal estrogen therapy is effective for many women, it will not solve the problem for everyone. “This is why it is important to see an expert in person for a diagnosis,” she says.
Conclusion: No one should have to suffer when there are safe and effective treatment options. “And although optimal sexual health is an integral part of global well-being, it is also imperative to recognize the effect that these symptoms can have on women who are not sexually active. Treatment should be offered to anyone with symptoms, whether they engage in sexual activity or not, ”explains Christmas. “Standardizing the use of local therapy with low -dose estrogens should be one thing.”
