There’s still much belief in the myth that women lose their sex drive once they hit the menopause but it’s about time people started to realise that older women can enjoy sex just as much as younger women.

While some do experience a dwindling interest during the first stages of menopause, by the time the menopause is behind them, around 80% of women still enjoy sex to the same degree as before their menopause. In fact, some enjoy it more because the fear of unwanted pregnancies has been removed.

The 20% who do experience a reduction in their sex drive can generally be treated. The main reasons are:

• Vaginal dryness
• Long arousal time
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Pain (and sometimes bleeding) during intercourse

Water based lubricants like KY jelly can be useful in reducing pain and dryness but in severe cases, hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed as this increases estrogen levels.

Some older women experience a reduction in their sex drive simply because they tire easily. If that’s the case and sex is an important part of the relationship, it’s vital that a woman’s daily tasks are reduced as she ages. Extra vitamins may also help.

For some women, the idea of no longer being fertile is synonymous with not longer being a ‘proper’ woman, something they may find difficult to come to terms with. In these cases it’s important that, as a partner, you reassure her that she’s still as feminine and as gorgeous as ever, if not more so!

The menopause shouldn’t mean the end of a satisfactory sex life and should never be seen as such. If you or your partner experiences problems they can almost always be solved so rest assured that your twilight years won’t necessarily mean you can’t get some heat around your wick anymore.

Sadie xxx