Hot flashes and night time sweats are among the signs typically related to menopause. But how does menopause have an effect on sexual health?
Experts say menopause can put women at elevated danger for a situation that may result in ache throughout sexual intercourse. Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Juliana Kling explains why and says there are protected and efficient remedies.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:06) is within the downloads on the finish of this publish. Please courtesy: “Mayo Clinic News Network.” Read the script.
Vaginal dryness
As reproductive years come to an finish, estrogen ranges drop. That can result in one of the vital frequent signs of menopause, vaginal dryness. “Postmenopausal women are in danger for creating one thing known as the genitourinary syndrome (GSM), the place there are adjustments to the vagina and the vulva that trigger dryness. This can improve your danger of urinary urgency, in addition to a danger of urinary tract infections.
Vaginal dryness can even result in ache with intercourse. “I can’t tell you how many women I see that just think pain with intercourse is a normal part of aging. I’m here to tell you that is not the case,” says Dr. Kling. “You should not have pain with intercourse.”
Treatments
The excellent news is there are protected and efficient remedies for vaginal dryness. “The low-dose vaginal estrogens can be used if you’re just having vaginal symptoms, like dryness and urgency. Those are safe and won’t increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clot or breast cancer,” says Dr. Kling. “So even older women can consider starting those and really using those indefinitely.” Other remedies embrace oral medicines like ospemifene and over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers.
Dr. Kling recommends checking along with your clinician to assist decide which therapy is best for you.
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