How to overcome painful sex post menopause
Why can sex be painful post menopause?
Inside the vagina, we have these wonderful things called rugae. They are like little internal pleats along the vaginal wall. Prior to menopause they're very flexible. They close and open up when necessary.
When a penis comes, the rugae open up to accommodate it. If someone's giving birth, they open even wider to let the baby out.
But when menopause comes along, the rugae shrink, fold in and tend to stay closed. This means that when a penis comes in, the vagina may tear, it’s more painful in general, and if you have vaginal dryness as well, that means painful sex.
What worked for Fiona?
Experiment 1: Replens.
The Replens kit includes a thin tube filled with specially formulated cream. The tube has a break-off piece on one end and a plunger at the other. You insert the cream using the plunger inside the vagina. You do this one to three times a week or thereabouts. The cream is designed to ‘moisturise’ the inside of the vagina.
This did a reasonably good job for Fiona, but she was still finding that sex was painful.
Experiment 2: Localised Oestrogen Pessaries
She next went to Jean Hailes Foundation website, she found this an excellent resource for women’s health.
She looked up the use of localised oestrogen. And then saw her GP and discussed it with him. She has now been using oestrogen pessaries (inserted into the vagina). She uses these only once a week.
The formula works on the lining of the vagina and moisturises it with oestrogen (unlike a hormone replacement therapy that is throughout the body).
She found that by using this once a week, there is now no pain at all during sex.
Experiment 3: Sylk lubricant
Fiona also found using a water-based lubricant called ‘Sylk’ during sex helps enhance enjoyment.
What you can do now:
Visit the Jean Haile’s Website to learn more about women’s health
Find the best type of lubricant for you using our free guide
Watch Fiona’s webinar where she tells us how she and Alan transformed their sex life after prostate surgery and menopause.
Book an appointment with your GP to discuss your options. You do not need to put up with discomfort or pain post menopause!
Download first two chapters of 'we've lost my prostate mate' written by Alan White, Fiona's partner