Can menopausal women have a normal sex life

[rhiannon55]

if they're not taking artificial hormones? I can't seem to. Vaginal dryness (which really means labial skin so thin and lacking in elasticity that intercourse is impossibly painful) has ruined it for me. No amount of lubricant can make it work, either. I know there are other ways to have sex, but I miss this part. A lot.

Any ideas? Can vaginal atrophy (which is what this has caused--painful sex led to no sex for long periods of time which resulted in vaginal intercourse becoming impossible) be reversed? I adore my husband and used to have amazing sex with him.

Any advice (medical or sisterly or both) would be helpful. Thanks so much.

[NashVegas]

1. Have You Seen a Doctor?

I couldn't begin to advise you (haven't gotten there yet).

[rhiannon55]

3. I'm going to see a doctor in a couple of weeks

I made the appointment this morning.

[LiberalinNC]

2. First of all, you are not alone..been there.

Had to eventually go on hormones, hot flashes were too much. I'm on the lowest possible patch there is...and thankfully that seems to help.

I think you need to see a doctor and discuss your options. Vagifem (estradiol vaginal tablets) seem to work for me..ask your doctor if you can go on them..you use them twice a week and they do help - at least they do for me.

Good luck!

[rhiannon55]

4. Thanks

I'll ask about Vagifem. Hot flashes aren't that big a deal for me for some reason. But the other (vaginal) problems are. What hormone patch are you using? Have you noticed any side effects? I tried PremPro oral tablets awhile back and bled heavily for three weeks. Scared me.

[LiberalinNC]

5. You're welcome

I'm currently on Vivelle dot 0.025 dosage. NO Side effects for me, thankfully!!! I tried going off them about a week ago, was fine for the first 3 days, then it was down hill from there - hot flashes, no sleep, just plain miserable. Went back on them and thankfully feeling much better.

Good luck!!!