Sex difficult for menopausal women

Sex is often difficult for menopausal women who are suffering in silence because they are ashamed to talk about their problem.

This is the gist of a survey made by Menopause Matters that studied 400 women in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Heather Currie, founder of Menopause Matters, said the symptoms of menopause are so severe that it disrupts the sex lives of many women. However, half of them are too embarrassed to consult a doctor regarding this matter. One in four has to make up excuses to avoid sex altogether.Sex is often difficult for menopausal women who are suffering in silence because they are ashamed to talk about their problem.

This is the gist of a survey made by Menopause Matters that studied 400 women in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Heather Currie, founder of Menopause Matters, said the symptoms of menopause are so severe that it disrupts the sex lives of many women. However, half of them are too embarrassed to consult a doctor regarding this matter. One in four has to make up excuses to avoid sex altogether.

"We are all aware of symptoms (of menopause) such as night sweats and hot flushes. But women find it extremely difficult to talk to anyone about lesser-known symptoms such as vaginal dryness and discomfort unless they are given the opportunity to do so in an anonymous forum such as ours. This means that many women's symptoms are untreated and in many cases this affects their relationships," Currie said.

Seventy-nine percent of the respondents said they had never seen a doctor or another healthcare professional even though their symptoms were described as "upsetting" and "painful." Currie found this alarming, considering that many symptoms can be easily treated.

"I urge these women to visit their doctor or a specialist clinic so that they can receive appropriate treatment quickly," Currie said.

Menopause marks the end of a woman's fertility and is characterized by night sweats, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness among others. Technically, it occurs a year after your last menstruation or at the age of 51 but the signs and symptoms of menopause can occur earlier.

"Menopause begins naturally when your ovaries start making less estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate menstruation. The process gets under way in your late 30s. By that time, fewer potential eggs are ripening in your ovaries each month, and ovulation is less predictable," according to the MayoClinic.com.

"These changes are more pronounced in your 40s, as are changes in your menstrual pattern. Your periods may become longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and more or less frequent. Eventually, your ovaries shut down and you have no more periods. It's possible, but very unusual, to menstruate every month right up to your last period. You're much more likely, though, to have a gradual tapering off," added the Mayo Clinic.

While menopause is not a disease and requires no medical treatment, its symptoms can be disturbing. To ease your suffering, see a doctor to prevent complications like heart disease and osteoporosis. To prevent weight gain, reduce tension and irritability, and help you enjoy sex, try prescription-free Zalestra, a safe and natural formula that will balance your hormones and put off excess weight to keep you in the pink of health. For details, go to http://www.zalestra.com

by Sharon Bell