"Lustful sex is possible at any age"

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Sex is not a question of age. However, with the onset of menopause, some women have less fun in bed. The gynecologist and sex therapist Dr. Regine Breier in a NetDoctor conversation.

Dr. Regine Breier

Dr. Regine Breier is a resident specialist in gynecology and obstetrics in Ulm and a psychotherapist specializing in couple and sex therapy.

Miss Dr. Breier, some women during menopause complain that they feel less inclined to have sex. Why is that?

First of all, I can give the all-clear: Experiencing lustful sex is possible at any age. The ability to orgasm also does not decrease with menopause.

However, at this age many women feel less attractive than before and are dissatisfied with their bodies. That can of course put a damper on the sensuality. Feeling good again in your own body and accepting yourself as you are is an adjustment process that simply takes a certain amount of time. Sometimes you need a little patience.

Also, sexual stimuli, the things that arouse a woman, can change over the course of life. Then it's time to try out what you like.

For some women, however, tangible organic complaints spoil the fun - vaginal dryness, for example.

That's right, then intercourse is painful and uncomfortable. The reason for the lack of moisture is the hormonal change that begins with the menopause, especially the falling estrogen level. This sometimes changes the mucous membranes of the vagina. They are no longer well supplied with blood and their ability to secrete decreases - the vagina is literally on dry land.

As a gynecologist, do you have any tips on how to have satisfying sex despite a vaginal dryness?

There is a lot that can be done there. From the menopause, the vaginal region needs care just like the facial skin. Hardly any woman can avoid hormone-containing preparations such as suppositories or ointments. They stimulate secretion and keep the vagina moist. This protects against annoying itching and burning. You should also use lubricant during sex itself: Then nothing stands in the way of having fun.

As women get older, more women suffer from incontinence. Of course, this inhibits sex.

Help is also available for incontinence. If you have weakened muscles and a weak pelvic floor, regular pelvic floor training can often help. However, a tightening operation may also be necessary. Women who suffer from what is known as urge incontinence are better helped with medication.

Contraception: Even women who have rarely had a period or have not had a period for months can still become pregnant.

This is actually a very important topic that women should speak to their gynecologist about. At this age, progestin supplements are generally available for contraception, in the form of a pill or as an IUD. These not only protect against pregnancy, but also improve the often very irregular and heavy bleeding during menopause. But if you want or have to do without hormones, you can use the copper IUD, for example.

In addition, some women also toy with the idea of ​​being sterilized. But I advise against it, because it is an abdominal surgery under general anesthesia. Sterilization of the partner is more obvious, because the operation is easier and significantly less stressful for men.

At some point, however, contraception is no longer necessary. When is it ready?

Right, after a certain point in time women can do without pills and co. As a rough guideline, if there has been no bleeding for a year, the switch is complete and contraception is no longer necessary. However, only a hormone test at the gynecologist can provide final certainty.

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