A new US study suggests that regular sexual activity can curb vulvar pain, irritation and dryness – all common reasons why women have less sex as they age. The results of the study are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.

Estrogen deficiency during and after menopause can reduce women’s life expectancy and affect their quality of life through what is known as urogenital menopausal syndrome (GSM). In 2014, GSM was defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with decreased estrogen and sex steroid levels. GSM includes genital, sexual and urinary symptoms that can affect the frequency of sexual activity in women aged 40 to 70 years.

In this new study, which involved more than 900 women aged 40 to 79, researchers investigated the link between regular sex and vulvovaginal-related menopausal symptoms. The vulva refers to the external female genitalia and the vagina to the internal anatomy. Common problems during the menopause include itching, burning, pain, reduced lubrication and changes in the appearance of the skin.

Sexual activity in the last three months was defined as regular sexual activity, while sexual activity in the last year (but not in the last three months) was considered to be lower sexual activity. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that the proportion of women who are regularly sexually active decreases significantly with age, which is consistent with the fact that Female Sexual Function Index scores for sexual desire, arousal and lubrication also decrease significantly with age. The Female Sexual Function Index consists of 19 questions on female sexual function in six areas. However, it was remarkable that the values for orgasm and satisfaction did not change with age.

Based on the results of the study, the researchers found that some sexual functions and symptoms change with age, but can remain the same in women who are regularly sexually active. The study also showed that women with regular sexual activity had a low prevalence of GSM-related symptoms.

“The results underline the importance of diagnosing and treating GSM. Only 2.9% of participants reported using hormone therapy. Localized, low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy is safe and very effective in relieving bothersome vulvovaginal symptoms that contribute to pain and avoidance of intercourse. And while optimal sexual health is critical to overall well-being, it is also important to be aware of the impact these symptoms can have on women who are not sexually active. Treatment should be offered to all women with symptoms, regardless of whether they are sexually active or not. Normalizing local low-dose estrogen therapy should be one thing,” says Dr. Monica Christmas, deputy medical director of the Menopause Society.

Further information:

Menopause: onset, symptoms, help with symptoms | Apotheken Umschau

Menopausal symptoms ” Menopause / Climacteric ” Body & Sexuality ” Gynecologists on the net – Your portal for women’s health and gynecology “

Read also:

HIV and STI: Sex work in Germany is becoming increasingly dangerous – MedLabPortal

_{The articles in the news section are produced by X-Press journalist office}

Gender note. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple references and gendered designations are avoided in favor of better readability.