Sex During Menopause: A Trying Affair

QUESTION: I've been going through menopause for almost two years now and I've not had sexual intercourse with my husband for one. Due to the discomfort during intercourse, I dare not think about sex.

ANSWER: Here's what's going on. During menopausal years, a woman's ovaries stop making estrogen, and that lack of estrogen can sometimes cause dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue, making intercourse uncomfortable and painful. An expectation of pain with intercourse due to vaginal dryness and atrophy may greatly dampen a woman's desire.

The fix? Herbs rich in natural plant estrogens such as red clover and soy are highly recommended. And, if you're suffering from other menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweat and irregular periods, supplementing with herbs such as black cohosh, sage and dong guai may be helpful.

Vaginal infections (such as bacterialinfection) within the vagina can irritate its wall lining. Therefore, Lactobacillus GR-1 and Lactobacillus RC-14 supplementation can produce mucous barriers and secrete anti-infective proteins which prevent yeast from attaching to the wall lining.

To improve your waning libido and alleviate fatigure, try herbs like damiana, ginseng, ginkgo, withania, puncture vine and horny goat weed. Withania and puncture vine are two remarkable herbs used to improve sexual desire and promote a balanced hormonal system.

Try regular exercise to improve sexual desire and overall well-being. In addition to being a great stress reliever, aerobic exercise can improve blood flow to the pelvic area, helping to tone and nourish vaginal tissue.

Source: New Straits Times. Powered by Yellowbrix.