How to boost libido and have better sex after menopause, according to OB-GYNs – Business Insider India

Menopause is a stage women usually enter in their early to mid-50s, when there is a decrease in estrogen production. This can affect your sex life and bladder function. In fact, over 50% of postmenopausal people experience genitourinary syndromes of menopause (GSM), a condition that encompasses genital, sexual, and urinary problems associated with the aging process.

Here's how sex changes after menopause and tips to improve your sex life during this stage of your life.

An average of 20% to 30% of postmenopausal people report experiencing painful vaginal sex. As the vagina becomes increasingly dry and thinner, additional issues can occur.

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How to treat it: If you're experiencing pain during sex, there are a few treatment options that fall into two main categories:

"Dryness can lead to painful sex, and indeed if one has painful sex, it is very common for women to lose their libido because it hurts," says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, OB/GYN, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University.

Other symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and night sweats can also lead to distress and lower a person's sex drive, says Nwegbo-Banks.

How to treat it: To increase your sex drive after menopause, take the time to explore what excites you about sex, and change your sexual routine. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to have sex, if you experience HSDD, possible treatment includes:

Additionally, a 2019 report summarizing 36 different trials showed that testosterone therapy could positively affect a postmenopausal woman's sex drive.

A lack of complete bladder control can impact a person's sex life. A 2017 study of women, about two-thirds of whom were incontinent, examined the effect of bladder control on sexual desire. While the frequency of sex was similar between the two groups, incontinent women expressed lower sexual desire, comfort, and satisfaction.

Additionally, certain medications such as high blood pressure drugs and muscle relaxers can reduce bladder control, so speak to a doctor if you think your medication may be exacerbating the problem.

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How to boost libido and have better sex after menopause, according to OB-GYNs - Business Insider India