Painful Sex? Treating Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy is a topic we often get calls about at Good Clean Love. I remember the first time someone called with a question about this condition that I didn’t yet know had a name, or worse still, was a syndrome that remarkably impacts at least 50 percent of post-menopausal women. Its prevalence is hard to track as is the impact it has on couples’ lives, because most women won’t discuss it, even with their physicians. Chronic and progressive vaginal atrophy has been referred to as “the 21^st century health issue impacting women’s quality of life.” You would think the fact that millions of women and couples deal with this issue would make it a more accessible topic, or at least one that merited researching solutions.

Many of the symptoms that culminate in vaginal atrophy begin in perimenopause. This is the time when many women experience pain with sex (dyspareunia) caused by thinning, shrinkage and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen levels as women age. The predominant treatment modality for this condition is hormone replacement therapy, as well as the use of vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. I know these symptoms intimately myself, as it was my inspiration to start Good Clean Love.

Unlike men, who are generally much more invested in maintaining their sexual capacities for years, which speaks to the extensive funding and research on male sexual functioning, many women give up too easily on their sexuality. The significant hormonal drop that accompanies menopause takes with it not just internal vaginal moisture and elasticity, but also much of the drive and internal signals that women associate with feeling aroused.

Many doctors treat vaginal atrophy as though it is inevitable. The belief that the condition is progressive, chronic and incurable impacts the women being treated as much as the limited, mostly topical options presented. It is true that the more that a woman ignores the issue and retreats from sex, the more that her vagina shrinks and closes up. If the maxim “use it or lose it” applies anywhere, it is here. Although, it is also true that setting penetration as a goal in itself is both unrewarding and hard to comply with when burning, bleeding and sharp pains are the result.

What is critically absent from most discussions about female sexual functioning is that the arousal mechanism is triggered first in the limbic brain. Building and maintaining a relationship to your erotic self is the doorway to working with the changing genitalia. Unfortunately most women do not have a strong sense of their erotic selves even at the height of their sexuality. Shame and guilt can and do cloud our willingness and capacity for pleasure. Fantasies, which are the fuel for our sexual identities and pleasure pathways are more often repressed than explored.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carole R.

1:33PM PST on Feb 4, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

Chief M.

6:22PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

thanks

Cathy M.

10:25AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

I think the article missed the point of the title. Vaginal atrophy is a real physical condition caused by lack of hormones, not lack of desire and interest (although some women may experince that as well.) The frustration comes from bring physically unable to act on that desire because of the pain involved. I was, and am still, definitely interested but suffered repeated infections, thinning tissue, loss of elasticity and lubrication, and even irritation from riding a bike. I found the Est-ring a great solution. It's replaced every 3 months and releases a bio-identical estrogen hormone direclty where it is needed. Much easier to deal withn than creams and safer because it is not systemic.

With that problem solved, the mental aspect is free to flourish! (and yes, those younger guys have some real advantages.)

Sandra D.

6:44AM PST on Jan 29, 2012

Beverly G., I understand your situation. When I get sad, I remember what a friend said to me: "It's going to be difficult but not impossible."

I read this article a few months ago; I hope it's helpful for those people (women and men) who would like to date but for some reason can't or don't want to have sex:

"A Dating Site For People Who Can’t Have Sex?"

http://www.care2.com/causes/a-dating-site-for-people-who-cant-have-sex.html#comment-2424723

Good luck!

Beverly G.

7:10PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

This is such good info, very informative. Tho i had problems with painful sex b4 the menopause(vaginitus) due to the anxiety of it all and the worry of becoming pregnant. Now im not intrested because im going thru the menopause and not intrested in sex, not just becos of atrophy, but its a very complex matter if you dont have a partner and are looking for some one when you are older becos all men just think SEX all the time and dont give you a chance. Its really horrible getting old, i am obsessed with ageing i know. I look good for my age im told but, that dont get me anywhere. I have been so hurt by MEN in the past i just cant bring down my barriers anymor and the thing is thats the most important thing i want. I am and feel very lonely and would like a lovely ,warm,caring , compassionate companion. Sad, very sad.

Patty B.

6:56PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Good info Jane B.

6:55PM PST on Jan 28, 2012

hmmm...sounded like a non article . Not enough info...REAL info . Author should not be shy or afraid to really get into giving real info i.e. creams , gels or whatever. perhaps red wine ?

KS G.

12:36AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Tim C.

12:06AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Deborah W.

12:04AM PST on Jan 28, 2012

Where do you go for help on this subject?