Women's Health Month: Understanding How Menopause Can Impact Your Sex Life, According to a Sex & Relationships Expert

During menopause, women undergo significant hormonal, physical, and emotional changes, many of which can have a direct impact on sexual health and relationships. These changes are natural, but they can also be challenging, especially when they go unspoken or unsupported. In recognition of Women’s Health Month, Dr. Shannon Chavez, a renowned sex and relationships expert and licensed psychologist, is shedding light on how menopause affects intimacy, and why open conversations, education, and personalized care are essential for supporting women through this stage.

“Menopause is not the end of your sex life—it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” says Dr. Chavez. “But it’s a chapter that comes with changes that women deserve to understand and navigate with confidence. Just like puberty, this is a hormonal milestone that requires education, compassion, and the right tools. With support, this stage of life can lead to deeper self-awareness, empowerment, and even better sex.”

Below, Dr. Chavez shares key ways menopause can affect your sex life, as well as practical guidance for navigating these changes with confidence and care:

• Hormonal Shifts Can Affect Desire: A decline in estrogen and testosterone levels during menopause can lead to a noticeable drop in libido. Many women find themselves feeling less interested in sex due to hormonal changes that are entirely natural. Desire can be rekindled with intentional practices like sensate focus, sexual mindfulness, and, when appropriate, bioidentical hormone therapy.
• Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort: As estrogen levels drop, the vaginal walls may become thinner, dryer, and less elastic, making intercourse uncomfortable or even painful. Vaginal dryness is one of the most common symptoms of menopause. Luckily, over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can improve comfort and make intimacy pleasurable again. I recommend Replens Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer and Replens Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant for effective relief.
• Emotional and Psychological Changes: Menopause can also bring mood swings, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and body image concerns—all of which can influence how one feels about sex and intimacy. Self-compassion, therapy, mindfulness practices, and strong communication with a partner can help women reclaim pleasure and emotional connection.
• Changes in Arousal: Many women notice it takes longer to become aroused or reach orgasm during and after menopause. This is due to changes in blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and lubrication. While this can be frustrating, Dr. Chavez emphasizes that slower arousal isn’t something to fear or feel ashamed of. In fact, it can lead to more intentional and deeply satisfying intimacy when couples take the time to adapt their approach to pleasure.

“A satisfying sex life during and after menopause is absolutely possible, but it starts with education and honest communication,” says Dr. Chavez. “The more you understand your body and talk openly with your partner and healthcare provider, the more empowered you’ll feel to create the kind of intimacy that truly fulfills you.”

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"Just like puberty, this is a hormonal milestone that requires education, compassion, and the right tools. With support, this stage of life can lead to deeper self-awareness, empowerment, and even better sex.”