Menopause and sexual health

The Body and mind as a your Guide.

Eva, 52, stood in front of a mirror. Her body felt different than it had ten years ago. Not less beautiful, but unfamiliar. She was in menopause, and although she knew this was normal, she felt surprised by its impact on her sexual health. Sex, once so obvious, was now a source of uncertainty and frustration.

During a visit to her GP, she finally wanted answers. “I notice that my body no longer responds as it used to,” she said. “I feel less desire, and sex is sometimes uncomfortable due to dryness and pain.”

Her GP smiled understandingly. “Eva, menopause is a complex phase in which your hormonal balance changes. The decrease in estrogen and testosterone plays a major role. But this does not mean that your sexuality is over. There are many ways to feel good about your body again.”

Physiological changes during menopause

The GP explained how menopause affects the body:

1. Hormone levels: Estrogen, an important hormone for vaginal health and lubrication, drops significantly. This causes thinner and drier vaginal tissue, a condition known as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

2. Blood flow: Reduced blood flow to the genitals can lead to less sensitivity.

3. Testosterone loss: Although often associated with men, testosterone also plays a role in libido and sexual pleasure in women. Production decreases during and after menopause.

4. Pain during sex: This pain, known as dyspareunia, can be a direct result of dryness and atrophy.

“Fortunately, there are treatments,” the GP said. “Topical estrogen can help, as can vaginal moisturizers. In addition, there are non-hormonal remedies and techniques that can support you. Sexuality is not just physical, but emotional and mental too.”

Eva felt hopeful for the first time. She agreed to local estrogen and was referred to a sexologist.

The psychological dimension

During her sessions with the sexologist, Eva discovered that menopause is not just a physical process, but can also be a psychological proces.

• Changing self-image: Many women experience a change in how they see themselves during menopause. The loss of fertility can affect feelings of aging and sexuality.

• Relationship dynamics: Couple relationships can change due to menopause, especially if there is less communication about sexuality, desires, needs and discomforts.

• Stress and sleep: Symptoms such as insomnia and mood swings can indirectly affect libido.

The sexologist introduced techniques to deal with this:

1. Mindfulness: Regular mindfulness exercises helped Eva to become aware of her body without judgment. This helped her to discover new ways of pleasure.

2. Communication with Thomas: Eva and her partner learned to talk openly about what made them feel insecure and turned them on, without the pressure to perform.

3. Redefining intimacy: Eva learned that intimacy went beyond penetration. Together with Thomas, she discovered new forms of touch, sensuality, and affection.

She found that the combination of medical support and emotional guidance helped her to embrace her sexuality again.

A new chapter

After six months, Eva felt different. Her sexual relationship with Thomas had improved, not because everything had gone back to how it used to be, but because they had found a new way of being intimate together. She realized that growing older did not mean losing sexuality, but transforming it.

Eva smiled at herself in the mirror. This body, her body, told a story of strength and resilience. She no longer felt limited by menopause, but empowered by what she had learned.