The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has recently published new data showing that 58% of North American women experiencing menopausal vaginal atrophy (VA) choose to avoid intimacy rather than seek treatment. This chronic condition causes the vaginal walls to become weaker and more prone to inflammation and irritation, due largely to reduced levels of estrogen in the body. However the lack of general awareness of the true causes and management of this common condition has led many women to abstain from sex rather than seek available medical treatment–a choice that has a considerable physical and emotional impact on the sexual and emotional health of menopausal women and their partners.
How VA Affects Sexual Intimacy
According to a recent CLOSER study about 45% of postmenopausal women experience issues with vaginal itching, dryness, and burning that can lead to painful intercourse. The study also found that North American couples felt that menopausal symptoms caused significant issues with continued intimacy, leading to some surprising statistics:
- 58% of postmenopausal women choose to abstain from intimate relations due to VA symptoms.
- 78% of men attribute their partner’s intimacy avoidance to VA.
- 64% of women experience libido loss due to VA symptoms.
- About 30% of male and female partners stop having sex altogether due to VA issues.
Many women involved in the study expressed that VA symptoms lowered their overall self-confidence, making them feel less attractive and less interested in initiating intimacy. Family physician, CLOSER co-author, and NAMS Certified Menopause expert Dr. Vivien Brown notes that this survey indicates that VA continues to have a significant negative impact on women’s emotional and sexual health. The results also show that women often feel reluctant to discuss intimate symptoms with their healthcare providers, and many do not realize that there are now effective treatments available.
Estrogen Therapy Can Help to Relieve VA Symptoms
Many women look to lubricating creams and gels to ease the symptoms of VA. While such treatments can provide temporary relief they do not have an affect on the underlying condition. However, modern hormone replacement therapy that seeks to restore post-menopausal hormonal balance in the body can dramatically improve symptoms. The CLOSER study showed that more than 40% of partners undergoing local estrogen therapy reported improved sexual satisfaction. Dr. Brown notes that the results of the survey make it clear that a greater awareness of VA and available treatments is crucial for improving quality of life for menopausal women and their partners.
Learn More About How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help You
If you are currently living with the symptoms of VA, contact Renew Woman™ today. Our doctors can provide you with a current lab assessment of your hormone levels and offer a comprehensive treatment plan to help restore your body’s natural health.