Love Hurts, Actually

Hormones can be up and down like a fiddler's elbow throughout the menstrual cycle, but women, generally, cope. When love hurts, though, do you put up with it and pretend all is OK? Very few women realise that there is a remedy available to bring an end to painful sex. Intimate problems of itching and dryness can happen at varying times in a woman’s life but especially following childbirth and later on at menopause. The subject is rarely discussed, as it is too embarrassing and women suffer needlessly.

Intimacy can stop altogether because of the pain and this can affect relationships. When youth is on your side, hormones soon return to normal following childbirth when the lining of the womb (uterus) will once again produce the lubricating mucus required to enjoy an active sex life. Occasionally other, temporary, measures may need to be taken.

Many women seem obsessed with the ageing process from a young age, concentrating on the visual aspects of face and body. Once women hit 40+, though, subtle changes take place internally, signalling the onset of menopause.

Nothing, however, prepares you for painful sex; that dry, dragging feeling on penetration and the burning sensation with pins and needles or even bleeding experienced during intercourse. Tampons are also off the menu.

You can’t or won’t discuss it with anyone and it’s a big turn off. Your partner feels rejected and relationships suffer. Speaking to your partner can help stabilise things quite quickly as will talking to your doctor. Too embarrassed? Write him a note, hand it to him at your appointment, then discuss.

Vaginal atrophy (dryness), its medical term, affects more than three million women and less than 20% do anything about it. Women are affected following childbirth and it is a natural part of ageing. The sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are on their inexorable march out the door after many years of service and one of the side effects is Vaginal Atrophy, which worsens with age unless you do something about it. Over-the-counter lubricants can restore some pleasure but there is another way.
What is this piece of magic? An estrogen supplement, locally applied. As the name implies, they contain a minute source of estrogen, which is not systemic. In other words the estrogen does not enter your whole body system thus allaying any fears you may have regarding HRT (hormone replacement therapy). They come in a convenient choice of applications such as tablets, pessaries or creams, inserted directly into the vagina. Applied daily for two weeks then once or twice a week, as required. They are only available on prescription and you will no longer need to buy lubricants.

I call these supplements little miracle workers. They have the effect of plumping up the vulva (lips) around the vagina and keeping the vaginal walls healthy, restoring lost mucous. The other major benefit is improvement to the muscles of the urinary tract, thus helping to avoid that other embarrassing problem of leakages when you cough, run, jump, etc. This treatment should be combined with exercising the pelvic floor muscles for full benefit (these can be done sitting down. Ask your doctor about this, too). A win/win situation in my book. Two problems dealt with easily and effectively with one application and readily available on the NHS.

Women go through a metamorphosis at menopause, which can be a really liberating experience, if they learn to become better informed about what is happening to their bodies and the solutions available.

This is another taboo subject that needs airing. Come on - talk about it!

Kathryn Colas is a freelance menopause awareness consultant and founder of http://www.simplyhormones.com/ … getting your life back, by raising awareness of menopause symptoms and solutions.

Kathryn Colas,
SimplyHormones.com
P O Box 218
Uckfield
TN22 3YT

E: kathryn@simplyhormones.com