“A little over a year ago, I explained to my doctor that I had pain during sexual intercourse. And that, as a result, I had less and less sexual intercourse, for lack of of envy and fear of having pain. He simply told me that it was related to the menopause, without giving me anything as a treatment.
And then, a month ago, I saw her replacement to whom I spoke again. She asked me questions and explained to me that menopause could lead to vaginal dryness and that lubricants should be used. Since then, it’s been much better, and we have a little more sex with my husband. I feel better. But I still have a slight pain and I told myself that I would take my courage in both hands and consult a sex therapist.
What do you think, can I do something else? I can tell you that I blame my doctor, because I find that sexuality is important for the couple.
The best treatment to start with: a vaginal moisturizer
I explain to Adèle that not only is sexuality important for the couple, but that it is part of medicine and that today we are talking about sexual health. Menopause can cause vaginal dryness that often becomes bothersome a few years after menopause. It is in fact a cutaneo-mucous dryness: the skin and the mucous membranes are drier. So the treatment, for the intimate area, as for the skin, is to moisturize.
“It’s true that I also feel a greater intimate dryness, not only during sexual relations, but even sometimes during the day with the friction of underwear, or when I wipe myself in the toilet”, replies Adèle. .
The best treatment to start with is a vaginal moisturizer. It is a question of using products whose action is to attract water, and which come in the form of gels. They are applied three times a week, and in the evening because they would tend to flow during the day. And if it is important to use their applicator to insert these gels intravaginally, it is also necessary to add a hazelnut on the vulva, that is to say between the labia minora, on the clitoris and all around the entrance. of the vagina, because it is often the entrance which is painful at the time of penetration.
Advice : leave a tube of gel in the toilet or in your purse to apply from time to time during the day.
Should I also use a lubricant?
Of course, you can use your lubricant before sex, along with the moisturizer. They have a complementary action. And what is also to be taken into account are the preliminaries: your body really needs caresses to increase the excitement and therefore trigger the lubrication; non-sexual caresses at first, then sexual, on the thighs, the pubis, around the vulva, on the labia minora, on the clitoris…
“The problem is also probably there, because my husband, I think, goes a little too straight to the point. Not so much for lack of attention, but I think that at his age he is a little afraid of losing his erections “.” So, it’s important to talk about it together, and if necessary, don’t hesitate to tell him to come see me, because on this subject, there are ways to help him… And then, on your side, if you feel that the treatment is not sufficient, there are other solutions that I can offer you.”
