5 Things No One Tells You About Sex in Perimenopause
Here’s something you probably haven’t been asked recently, how is your sex life? Sexual health changes as you age, and it deserves just as much attention as any other aspect of your health and wellness, but it’s often seen as a ‘taboo’ topic and discounted.
Stress, diet, and exercise can all impact your sex life, and enjoying intimate moments becomes even more complex when hormones get out of balance. Estrogen and testosterone play a significant role in supporting your sexual drive, aka libido, and keeping the vagina elastic and healthy.
Today we’re highlighting the ‘taboo’ topic of sex in perimenopause, so you can explore what pleasure, desire, and intimacy mean to you and feel sexually empowered at every stage of life. So, why should you make sex a priority right now? We’re glad you asked…
How sex can help boost your mental health
Gives a confidence and self-esteem boost. Sex can be an incredibly empowering way to embrace your body and show some appreciation and love for yourself! All of those feel-good hormones flowing can help boost your confidence and self-esteem, positively impacting your overall mental wellbeing.
Reduces anxiety and stress. That’s right, sex can boast additional stress-relieving benefits helping to ease feelings of tension by releasing the body's natural feel-good hormones, endorphins! That’s the “dreamy headspace” you might notice that comes after kissing or other sexual acts.
Improves your overall mood. You may even find your overall mood improves with sex thanks to increased levels of the pleasure and happiness hormones, oxytocin, and dopamine! Two key hormones that regulate anxiety are cortisol and adrenaline, which are lowered during and after sex.
Promotes a better night’s sleep. Sex promotes relaxation and helps release tension throughout the body. Both of these can help you get a better night’s sleep, so you feel refreshed and energized for the next day.
Helps you feel connected to your partner. Sex can be a great way to strengthen the bond between you and your partner and help increase your closeness to one another, boosting your overall happiness and satisfaction in the relationship.
Who knew sex could boost so many areas of your life? Now that we know some of the mental health benefits of sex, let’s explore 5 more things to know about having sex in your 30s, 40s, and 50s.
5 things you should know about sex in perimenopause
A change in libido is an opportunity to spice things up!
Whenever your estrogen is off balance, it can put a damper on your libido and make sex harder to enjoy. Low estrogen in women can cause dryness, thinning of vaginal tissues, and lowered sex drive. Excess estrogen though can lead to weight gain, menstrual cycle issues, fatigue, and ultimately loss of sexual desire. Yet, some women find they get a surprising increase in sexual desire! If you notice your attitude towards sex changing, look at it as a great opportunity to spice things up! Try experimenting with some new ways you and your partner can show affection and be intimate with each other, like utilizing sex toys or exploring fantasies! Sex toys are a fun and easy way to add some excitement to your sex life and intensify your pleasure, while exploring a sexual fantasy can be a thrilling new experience altogether.
Self-care is a simple way to make sex more satisfying
Perimenopause often brings hormonal fluctuations that can impact your physical health, but also your mood and overall wellbeing. That’s why prioritizing self-care becomes even more crucial during this time. “Self-care” can be any activity that brings you joy, focuses on your wants and needs, and helps reduce your stress. Healthy habits such as engaging in regular exercise, practicing mindfulness, and nurturing your emotional health can boost your overall satisfaction in the bedroom. So, go ahead and give yourself a little TLC this week — it's a simple, but powerful way to take control of your sex life!
You do not have to live with pain or discomfort
When vaginal tissues and the surrounding skin become drier, friction builds. Sex goes from a blissful experience to an uncomfortable chore. But that’s where lube can be your best friend and one of your greatest tools! While they might offer short-term relief, lube is a safe, effective, and instant way to enjoy better, wetter sex with your partner. Other options like hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) can also help to alleviate vaginal dryness, enhance your experience in sex, and even improve other symptoms in perimenopause (like hot flashes!). Embrace the natural hormonal changes that come with age and work with your body to find pleasure. Find out about the 3 main types of lube and how to support your natural lubrication.
Use the power of foreplay as your secret weapon
Hormonal imbalances, stress, and other symptoms can slow down your arousal and it may take longer to become wet. That's where the power of foreplay comes in! Slow down, take your time, and enjoy these experiences. Focus on what comes before sex: kissing, touching, dirty talk, or anything else that builds up the anticipation of sex and intensifies your pleasure. Remember, it’s not all about the destination but the exciting journey along the way!
You can still have plenty of orgasms!
There are a lot of factors that influence your ability to have an orgasm, but a little secret about many everyday medications? Common side effects include trouble having an orgasm and occasionally lowered libido. Antidepressants are often prescribed during perimenopause to help relieve hot flashes and support mental health, but it’s important to be aware of how they may impact other areas of your life. Antidepressants particularly are prescribed more often as we age and women 40 years and older account for approximately half of the antidepressant usage amongst all U.S. adults over 18. Your mental and physical health are both incredibly important, so talk to your doctor about how best to navigate these challenges and work together to find a treatment plan that works best for you.
This week we want to know, what would make sex more enjoyable for you at the moment? More romance? Extra time on foreplay? Or simply getting wet and staying wet? Message us anytime on Instagram at @mbody.official and let us know, or drop an anonymous comment below. Download MBODY on the App Store or Google Play Store today!
