Thursday, December 9, 2010

Menopause And Sex


These symptoms will start at different times for each woman and can get worse over time if not addressed and managed with some form of treatment or compensation. It is always best to consult with your physician because vaginal symptoms can be successfully treated but it is as in all things related to menopause, on an individual case by case basis that will determine the best treatment for you.

Your whole reproductive system is affected with menopause because your periods stop. You may experience less lubrication which will probably give you a feeling of vaginal dryness. This is one of the things that can be addressed with supplemental estrogen and/or use of vaginal lubricants.

It is possible to treat vaginal dryness, some sexual discomfort and irritation and the burning sensation accompanied with sexual intercourse with the readily available water-soluble lubricants such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly and other lubricants you can find at your local grocery store and shops specializing in sexual products. It is highly recommended not to use anything that does not specifically state it is for internal use.

Also, until your doctor confirms you are not producing any more eggs and you can not become pregnant and and to prevent contracting sexually transmitted diseases you should not forego precautions for this and always used a condom. Also, be sure to always use the appropriate gels, lubricants and creams that do not deteriorate and/or weaken latex (the material used to make condoms

Non-water soluble lubricants, such as Vaseline, can also provide a good medium for bacterial growth, particularly in a person whose immune system has been compromised and weakened by chemotherapy. Keep in mind that STD's and AIDS is not an age, menopausal or other related disease. You must always use a condom to protect yourself from this and especially if you are with more than one partner or you are not sure if your partner is.

The walls of the vagina can become thinner and less elastic which can also contribute to some pain or discomfort during sex in menopause. The thinning of the vaginal walls and loss of elasticity can easily be determined by your gynecologist with an ultrasound.

Use of the ultrasound can often be a great way to determine upon inspection, the condition of the walls of the vagina, uterus and other female organs, just what stage of menopause you are in. Your doctor then is able to know just how to assist you through the perimenopause and menopause stages to avoid some of the symptoms accompanied with this time of a woman's life.

The lower estrogen level women experience with menopause is not the only reason for the decrease in libido. There are often many other factors, some listed in the Menopause Symptoms section above. They include but are not limited to:

* Menopause Insomnia caused by night sweats and other contributing factors
* Hot Flashes
* Menopause Weight Gain
* Menopause Weight Loss
* Menopause Hair Loss
* Menopause Depression
* Menopause Bleeding
* Bladder Control Problems
* Menopause Anxiety
* Stress related or unrelated to menopause
* Other health Issues related or unrelated to menopause
* Medications related to other health issues

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