What to do about painful intercourse during menopause July 29, 2009
Posted by admin in : Articles , trackbackThe second most common sexual complaint during menopause is painful intercourse. Painful intercourse can be sharp pain when having sex, burning, itching, or dull pain. Any of these symptoms are completely common during menopause. It can lead to a lack of desire to have sex. It may be frustrating to even think about sex. If you are experiencing painful intercourse during menopause, check out this information on what to do.
Why It Happens?
When you are going through menopause, your body is producing less and less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that is important in a lot of ways to your body. It helps your bladder as well as your vaginal area. You will likely be experiencing vaginal dryness, itching, burning, or other irritation at some point during menopause. These symptoms can be uncomfortable as well as difficult to deal with during sex. Your vaginal lining is also thinning, which can make the act downright painful at times. Sometimes you will also have an infection, which are common during menopause, which will cause painful intercourse.
What Should You Do About It?
The first thing you should do is see your doctor about this issue. You will want to do this to rule out the possibility of a vaginal infection. If you do have an infection you will need an antibiotic to take care of it. Some infections are commonly spread to your sexual partner as well, so be sure to ask your doctor about that as well. If your doctor has cleared you of infection, you have to learn how to cope with the irritation.
What Helps?
Some doctors will prescribe estrogen creams for patients with exterior irritation. These often help with itching and burning that can be so bothersome during sex. If you are choosing not to take hormone replacement therapy, then you will need to be patient with yourself when it comes to sex. Talk with your partner about your needs. Explain that sometimes you will feel like having sex and sometimes you will not be able to have sex. Being open and honest with your partner will ensure that your lines of communication are open and that he will not assume you are simply disinterested. If you choose not to talk about it, it is likely that you will end up dreading the act and he will pick up on it sooner or later. Be sure to take things slow and easy when you do have sex. Try using water based lubricants to help you feel more comfortable as well.
Overall, painful intercourse is a part of menopause many women experience. Although it is bothersome, most women report that it does not last forever. Remember back to right after you had your children. You likely experienced many of these same symptoms. The good news was that they didn’t last forever, and neither should these. So be patient and honest with yourself and your partner and you both will be able to get through this time without a problem. Talk with your doctor for any further suggestions to help you cope as well.
http://www.thehealthguide.org/menopause/what-to-do-about-painful-intercourse-during-menopause/
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