This covers one large group of patients. In my practice, i routinely ask my patients about their sexual health. It may be due to the Asian culture, but the sad truth is that many menopaused women will divulge that they have little or no sex after menopause. There are many reasons , but a common one given is that of feeling old and tired. This may one reason for us reading reports of older men going over to Batam in search of sex. This has led some to believe that " WOMEN MENOPAUSE, MEN NO PAUSE ". Well, men actually has andropause, but this comes much later than women's menopause.
The menopause is associated with loss of hormones called Oestrogen as the ovaries stop working and stop producing hormones when a patient is menopaused. This results in vaginal dryness, clitoris losing its protective covering, loss of tissues elasticity and the vaginal lining becomes thin. There is also a decrease in sexual responsivity and decreased libido. All these will lead to painful sex.
SUGGESTION : Vaginal hormones will help to improve vaginal dryness, thicken vaginal tissues and improving the elasticity of the vagina. The men have Vigra, Levitra and Cialis. Now a product approved for use in females in the USA, has been brought to Singapore. This is " ZESTRA ", a cream manufactured to help in lubrication and increasing libido in females. Application of Zestra to the vulva and vagina area 5 to 10 minutes before intercourse can leak to improving sexual arousal for the females.
I always love telling this true story : When i was working and subspecialising in Urogynaecology in Australia, a patient turned up at my clinic 3 weeks after surgery by my colleague. She had a tape inserted through the vagina for treatment of her urine leakage.She complained that the tape had eroded through the vagina as her husband felt the pain while having sex with her the night before. On examination, she was found to be absolutely right. I snipped of the tape and gave her vaginal hormones to thicken the vaginal skin over the cut surface and her husband was happy ever after. Now, the story i want to tell is that she was 76 and her husband was 80 years of age. In the public hospital where i practised, we usually review our patients 6 weeks after surgery to give them the go-ahead to resume normal activities. This elderly couple could not wait and were having at 3 weeks after the operation! It is really so nice to see an elderly couple still so intimate and so in love. Isn't this a beautiful story?
To reiterate, it is not uncommon for people not being bale to enjoy sex. Fortunately, there are many ways to help them, including the use of sexual tools / toys. Couples should make it a point to set aside themselves even though they have a busy work schedule. It is useful to have the correct environment and ambiance. Those with kids may want to consider going off for a " dirty weekend " once in a while. Foreplay is of utmost importance and one should not jump straight into coitus. Change of position, medication and a positive and correct outlook towards sex will help in achieving sexual satisfaction.
Life is short and unpredictable - the journey will be wonderful if we can have a great emotional and sexual relationship with someone we love . .. . . . . . . . . .