Premenopause, menopause and symptoms that affect sexuality (especially libido)

Menopause and the premenopause that precedes it are, above all, a natural biological process that marks the end of the reproductive years of a woman or person with a vagina. They rhyme with hormonal changes that cause changes in the menstrual cycle and various other symptoms. Although this is not entirely scientifically proven, in some cases, these symptoms, plus the stress they cause, can have a considerable impact on libido, but also on the sensations perceived during intimate relations. In this article, we discuss what you can concretely expect during this period.

Perimenopause and menopause: what’s the difference?

Premenopause , also called perimenopause , is a transitional phase that precedes menopause, that is, the moment when a woman or person with a menstruating vagina no longer has her periods and is therefore no longer fertile. Just like it, it causes significant changes in daily life, but also in sexuality and the way it is practiced or experienced. These phenomena, which begin between the ages of 45 and 55, on average, correspond to a drop in estrogen production that causes various symptoms affecting 80% of menopausal people and which are often difficult to live with.

Symptoms of Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause symptoms can last for several months and then fade away when menopause begins. However, in some people, they can last for several years, even after menstrual cycles have completely stopped . Below is a list of the most common symptoms:

• hot flashes
• dizziness
• chills
• lower abdominal pain
• changing vaginal discharge
• vaginal dryness, even vaginal atrophy.

Hot flashes

Possibly the most well-known symptom of menopause, hot flashes are characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of heat that can last for several minutes. They are usually accompanied by sweating, palpitations, and a flushed face and neck. While they are not excessively embarrassing in themselves, they are difficult to experience socially, especially since they occur without warning.

The chills

During premenopause , it is common to feel chills in the head, and throughout the body in general. These occur when the body can no longer properly regulate its internal temperature, sometimes just after hot flashes . Relatively annoying, they can disrupt sleep and therefore cause fatigue.

Lower abdominal pain

Lower abdominal pain can be caused by hormonal changes and accentuated by the presence of endometriosis or uterine fibroids. From mild to sustained intensity, it can be accompanied by other symptoms such as irregular bleeding. This phenomenon, as painful as it is uncomfortable, of course has a significant impact on libido and the pleasure felt during sexual intercourse.

Changing Vaginal Discharge

With age and the onset of menopause, vaginal discharge tends to change. It can become brownish, liquid or, on the contrary, lumpy. Generally, it does not cause any particular discomfort. However, in rare cases, it can be a sign of desquamative inflammatory vaginitis, a source of significant discomfort that impacts desire and sexual fulfillment. In this case, you should talk to your midwife, gynecologist or doctor.

Intimate dryness and vaginal atrophy

Perimenopause is often the cause of vaginal dryness, which can cause discomfort, irritation, and itching, but especially pain during intercourse. The drop in estrogen levels can also cause vaginal atrophy , in which vaginal tissues become thin, dry, and less elastic. This causes symptoms similar to those of vaginal dryness, but with greater intensity, especially with regard to pain felt during intercourse.

Premenopause, menopause and libido

Menopause is often associated with a decrease in libido, although new studies suggest that various factors (such as the additional pressures and mental burdens experienced by women at this age) contribute to a decrease in sexual desire. During this period, we may experience a decrease in sexual desire . This is due to the psychological impact of this phenomenon, which affects both mood and general well-being. It can also be the result of an apprehension of sexual relations, which can become uncomfortable or even painful. In addition, during perimenopause , menstruation becomes irregular , which can further complicate the situation.

Note : Rarer and rarely mentioned, an increase in libido at the time of menopause is a possibility . Each person experiences this moment differently.

How to regain intimate and sexual comfort during menopause?

Hormone treatments to relieve bothersome symptoms

At the time of menopause, different treatments can be offered to relieve the most bothersome symptoms, including hormonal treatments. These offer an effective solution to hot flashes , feelings of discomfort and vaginal dryness . However, they only delay the moment when the body will have to naturally wean itself off the hormones to which it has been accustomed for years. In addition, just like the contraceptive pill, taking hormonal treatment can increase the risk of certain cancers and heart disease.

The means at your disposal to maintain a fulfilling sex life

Using intimate lubricants can be an effective solution to treat vaginal dryness and reduce the discomfort of vaginal atrophy during intercourse. Available without a prescription, they come in different types. We recommend using two lubricants: a water-based lubricant that will moisturize the vaginal walls and a silicone or oil- based lubricant for a double-glide effect that will limit friction and provide ideal sexual comfort. Their application before penetration can even be a fun erotic game with your partner(s). Another option to boost your libido during menopause is to use an orgasmic gel that is applied to the clitoris to increase sensitivity in the intimate mucous membranes and therefore increase sexual arousal. A good way to discover new sensations as a couple or solo!

To support you during the transition period that menopause represents, we have designed the Sereine Menopause Box which brings together three essentials: an intimate lubricant, an orgasm-stimulating oil and geisha balls to tone your perineum.

We use many sources when writing our articles. Here are some additional primers on the topic:

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/perimenopause-discharge#why-it-changes

https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/changes-at-midlife/changes-in-the-vagina-and-vulva

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/do-my-period-changes-mean-perimenopause/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-sex-changes-after-menopause