Many women can experience a drop in libido after menopause. In this article we will explain why this can happen and what you can do to help.
This article is all about arousal, desire, and sex after menopause.
Postmenopausal women experience unique challenges when it comes to enjoying their sex life. While these challenges might be a new frustrating hurdle, there are ways to aid your arousal so you can get back to enjoying your most intimate moments.
Let’s chat about postmenopausal arousal challenges and how you can overcome them.
A lack of sexual desire is a major obstacle for a lot of women (of all ages). But it’s true, after menopause your libido can take a steep decline.
Around 80-85% of menopausal women report a decline in sexual desire during or after menopause.
Here are a few reasons why this might happen:
Chalk it up to hormones. Low libido can be caused by declining levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
When a woman is aroused, the vaginal tissues can “swell” with increased blood flow. After menopause, these physiological responses of arousal can decline because of decreased vaginal blood flow. This may cause sex to feel less enjoyable.
Depression, which can dampen sexual desire, is also a common issue among women in their mid-life. You might also experience circumstantial depression as a result of sudden bodily changes brought on by menopause.
Some medications that treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol might also affect libido. And, since it is more common to be on these medications as you get older, these could be another factor in a changing libido.
When you’re postmenopausal you might still experience sexual desire -- which is the emotional desire for sexual intimacy.
But arousal, the physiological response of being “turned on,” might be hard to achieve.
Therein lies the problem.
The two terms, desire, and arousal are often used interchangeably but they’re notably different.
For postmenopausal women, arousal might be more difficult to achieve, and arousal is necessary for women to have enjoyable sex. Without adequate arousal, sex might be unenjoyable and even painful.
Low arousal response might be because of low sex hormones, lower levels of vaginal blood circulation, or even underlying depression.
But, in any case, there are ways to aid your arousal when you’re postmenopausal.
Ouch! What if post-menopausal sex is painful? For some women, this is definitely the case. Before you can enhance your arousal, you’ll first want to treat any dryness or pain.
Vaginal dryness is very common among post-menopausal women. This can range from mild to severe but left untreated, vaginal dryness can become very painful and can cause women to avoid sex altogether.
If you experience pain or spotting during sex, you can try vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, and localized estrogen therapy.
Read more: Painful Sex After Menopause & How Ladies Are Overcoming It
Because blood circulation to the vulva and vagina decreases after menopause, using stimulating arousal creams may help. These creams can increase blood flow and increase sensitivity.
In a recent 2018 study, researchers studied using topical vasodilators for the use of enhancing post-menopausal arousal. Women reported significant improvement in their arousal response and their ability to reach orgasm.
These products are called arousal creams, arousal gels, O creams, and scream creams.
Learn more: Can You Get A Scream Cream Prescription Online?
Vaginal dryness is a common menopausal symptom. While not everyone will experience vaginal dryness to a degree that will cause them pain or halt their sex lives, most menopausal women should consider regularly moisturizing vaginal tissue.
Because of low levels of estrogen, vaginal tissues can slowly become thinner, less elastic, and somewhat irritated. Keeping vaginal health at the top of mind may help increase enjoyable sexual experiences.
Vaginal moisturizing may help keep everything running smoothly.
This option may not be for everyone, but it should be noted as there are promising studies about vibrators and postmenopausal arousal.
In a clinical trial, postmenopausal women tried a stimulator product and 90% of women experienced an increase of sensation, and 80% experienced an increase in sexual satisfaction.
Some doctors are even suggesting vibrators to postmenopausal women because vibrators have been shown to help increase pelvic blood flow. Certain clitoral therapy devices have been approved as a therapeutic treatment for arousal disorders and female sexual dysfunction.
Enjoying sex after menopause can be tricky, but it’s definitely not impossible. If you need help with enhancing arousal after menopause considers these great arousal aids:
Want to try a prescription arousal cream? Many other postmenopausal women have tried our physician formulated “O” Cream and have raved about the difference it makes.
You can try this for yourself by completing a simple questionnaire-based online doctor's consultation.
If our doctors find this product is a good fit for you, we’ll ship your discreetly packaged prescription “O” Cream right to your doorstep.
Check out a few reviews from happy customers, below:
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
