Is Sexual Arousal After Menopause Even Possible?

Menopause - Symptoms - Nutritional - Supplements - Information - Womens Health - Natural Products

The hormone changes associated with menopause do have some effect on a woman's physical response and sexual arousal after menopause and is often determined by the stage of menopause.

Sexual arousal after menopause in Peri-Menopause:During peri menopause a woman's libido may seem to go underground for awhile. But this diminished sex drive does not need to be the permanent experience after menopause, because it can and will re-emerge, and it can even re-emerge in an experience of heightened sexual desire and activity after menopause. During peri menopause you may experience some or most of the following changes in sexual arousal:

• Increased sexual desire Decreased sexual desire Vaginal dryness and loss of vaginal elasticity-less lubrication Pain or burning with intercourse Increased clitoral sensitivity Decreased clitoral sensitivity Stronger orgasms and sexual awakening Fewer orgasms and decreased depth of orgasm
• Slower sexual arousal

Sexual arousal after menopause in Post-Menopause:

In post menopause you may experience some of the following changes in sexual arousal:

• Vaginal wetness and lubrication in sexual arousal can take 1 to 3 minutes, compared to 10 to 30 seconds for younger women The clitoris, however, can become stimulated and erect in women even in our 70's The vaginal walls do thin and decrease in length, width and their ability to expand during sexual arousal and climax The uterus becomes smaller as a result of less estrogen during menopause
• The uterus does not enlarge as much during sexual arousal during orgasm

For some women sexual arousal after menopause can mean that if there are sexual disorders or dysfunctions present, they may become more evident during menopause. These can include:

• Low sexual desire or lack of sex drive Sexual arousal disorder-this is where your desire for sex might be intact, but you are unable to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity Orgasmic disorder-this is where you have persistent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation
• Sexual pain disorder-this is where you have pain with sexual stimulation and intercourse

These symptoms of sexual dysfunction can be caused by:

• Physical problems such as cystitis or vaginitis Health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease Taking medications such as anti-depressants or tranquilizers Stress Depression
• The use of alcohol, drugs or cigarette smoking

If you believe that menopause marks the end of your sexual life then that is exactly what will happen for you. However, if you believe that menopause is the beginning of the vital second half of your life then you will stay strong and attractive and sexual through menopause. Even though it may take a longer time for your sexual responsiveness and arousal, you can have normal and even deeper orgasms, especially if you stay sexually active. Women five to ten years after menopause who do not have sex and do not masturbate eventually have trouble with being adequately lubricated if they have intercourse. Do whatever it takes to stay sexually aroused: read love stories, watch love affairs on TV or movies, fantasize about sex. Have some erotic stimulation in your life to keep your sexual arousal alive and well. More about the myths of menopause and sex....