Can Menopause Make Sex Painful? 

Our bodies may change with age, but we never lose the desire to please our partners. Sex helps couples stay connected as they conquer the challenges of adult life. That’s why it can be so disheartening to learn that sexual intercourse may be painful for you or your partner. 

There are many reasons why this can happen, and a common one is menopause. However, this is not a sign that your sex life is officially over. It just means your relationship with sexual intercourse may have to change, and that’s perfectly natural.  

To navigate this transition, it’s important to understand why menopause – and other biological factors associated with aging – can make sex painful. 

Why Menopause Makes Sex Painful

The main culprit for the many wonderful side effects of menopause is the loss of estrogen, which reduces natural lubrication to the vagina. Dwindling estrogen triggers a shift in hormones that makes the tissue in the vagina thin and dry, adding friction during sex. The vagina also becomes less stretchy, making it feel painfully tight. 

Of course, menopause is just one of the various biological factors that can impact a woman’s ability to experience sexual pleasure. Here are a few others that could be at play: 

Slowed Sexual Response

As you age, blood fills the genitals at a slower rate when you become sexually aroused. This can make the vagina less sensitive to touch and stimulation. 

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can make your muscles tighten, which could lead to painful sex. Also, a common symptom of depression is a loss of interest in things that you normally find pleasurable, and that can include sex. 

Separate Health Conditions

Sex can become painful due to different health problems completely unrelated to menopause, like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Your partner could also have a problem with their urinary tract or bladder. If your partner’s vaginal skin feels dry and cracked, it could even be because of a skin condition like eczema, which has been known to appear in both male and female genitalia. 

Maintaining a Healthy Sex Life Post-Menopause 

If sex becomes painful for your partner, they may eventually lose interest in sexual intercourse. But that doesn’t mean you can’t please your partner in other ways or you have to ignore your own sexual needs. 

Sex and intimacy therapy can help couples reconcile differences in sex drive and establish realistic expectations about their changing bodies. It also provides a safe space to communicate your fears about your sex life and talk openly about what feels good and what doesn’t. 

Let’s schedule a free 15-minute consult today so we can start developing a plan for keeping your sexual connection alive post-menopause.