Sex During Menopause

Midlife and menopause can affect a relationship by the loss of libido (in both men and women). The lack of sex affects intimacy, affection, and the enjoyment people have in a relationship. Lack of sex can lead to not have emotional intimacy. For men, sex feeds intimacy, so the more sex they have with their spouse, the more likely they will cuddle, embrace, use pet names, etc. On the other hand, for women the opposite is true – the more they are emotionally cared for, the more likely they will want to be sexual. In other words, it is important to make sure that both, intimacy and sex are in balance.

During midlife and menopause, the libido or sexual response decreases, for women and men. Our bodies and hormones change, including our genital function and orgasm quality. For men, this means erectile dysfunction sometimes. For women, it might mean decrease in genital sensation and lubrication. These issues can be treated if the couple is willing to address them. It is a known fact that women are more likely to express their concern with their doctors, but men feel anxiety to talk about their concern regarding sex because of the fear that it will be a reflection on their masculinity. Nevertheless, once he agrees to talk about the issues he will be just as open as the spouse.

Women experience a lower sex drive (loss of libido) because they are experiencing a hormonal imbalance and there are two symptoms directly attributable to menopause - hot flashes and genital atrophy (vaginal dryness and shrinking tissue). A few will experience neither in any recognizable sense. Hot flashes may be mildly annoying for some and a real but transitory problem for others. The "flash" is a sudden sensation of heat in the face, neck and upper chest, often accompanied by sweating and followed by a slight chill. For those who experience frequent severe flashes or persistent sweats, relief is generally achieved by taking supplementary estrogen. Try Prosensual a non-drug solution which is designed to enhance the sexual experience for women. It is an all natural, soy based sexual stimulant and lubricant for women. It is safe and acts fast and most of all it is effective. It enhances your sexual sensation and increases the arousal and sexual pleasure.

Men do not have a radical change in hormonal output, as women do. There are gradual changes in hormone production, but the "male menopause" about which so much has been written is more properly called "midlife crisis." This is probably not related to sexual changes, but to other physical and emotional upheavals that may affect sexual performance. Between 40 and 50, men are apt to find a gradual reduction in the desire for sexual activity and some loss in sexual responsiveness. While both of these will occur in all men over time, they may in the early years be attributable to boredom, mental or physical fatigue, preoccupation with business interests, excessive eating or drinking, or panic resulting from a transient occurrence of impotence.

After the age of 50, there are changes in sexual response which require minor adjustments in sexual habits. Penile erection will take longer to achieve and may require direct partner involvement. There may also be a decrease in expulsive pressure at ejaculation and in volume of fluid expelled. In later years there may also be a reduced demand (perhaps only once in 3 or 4 coital experiences) for ejaculation.

Important Tips on Sex During Midlife and Menopause

1. Most important - saying that you are committed to one another.
   
2. Exercise and diet lead to good sex because healthy bodies nurture a healthy sex life. As I mentioned in the exercise page, we have to be active and this includes sex. More than likely you've heard of the phrase "USE IT OR LOSE IT."
3. Working on keeping the sex life exciting, taking romantic trips, wearing sexy lingerie, trying erotica. Play dress up, shop online for sexy lingerie and seduce your husband. He will love this.
4. Open communication with each other, where both can talk about what is working and what is not. Being able to share feedback.
5. Play games, get some videos, learn new tricks to keep your love life interesting.
6. It is important that these changes be understood by both partners, so that they are not interpreted by the woman as waning interest or by the man as performance failure.
7. It might take longer to have an orgasm during midlife and menopause. Talk to your spouse if you are having difficulty having an orgasm. Together you can try new techniques with a foreplay wand or the Synergy Pleasure System that give you optimal sexual pleasure.

None of these changes alters the ability to enjoy a satisfying sex life.  Do not allow your relationship to be a sexless relationship. It is healthy, physically and emotionally to be connected with our bodies no matter what our age is. The sexual organs are muscles and they need to be exercised also, if not they will become useless. Sex is a natural biological need of our bodies.