Natural Changes In Women

While it is a fallacy to assume that as we age we lose our desire for sexual intimacy, it is true that some natural changes in the body may affect how we experience sex. Sexual changes in women are natural and a result of the body's changing role in its post-fertile stages. The most significant changes sexually are related to menopause, or the cessation of ovulation. These changes may require a new outlook on sex and the way it is practiced. Knowing the facts about how the body changes is the first step.

How does menopause affect the body sexually?

Menopause is perhaps the greatest physical change a woman faces in middle age. Menopause generally alters sexual response and even the physical structure of the vagina. The major changes with regards to sex are thinning and shortening of the vaginal canal and decreased lubrication. This is sometimes accompanied by a decrease in the size of the vagina. Fatty deposits found in the labia majora are lost causing a typically smaller vagina than in earlier life. The combination of reduced lubrication and a smaller vagina may make coitus uncomfortable.

What can be done to counteract these changes?

Lubrication

The single best way to make sex more comfortable after menopause is the use of personal lubricants during sex. One popular choice is Astroglide, which is available in online and in many stores. Astroglide is very popular because it is extremely viscous and has a faint pleasant taste. If you don't know where to start, then it's your best bet. Shop around at sensual boutiques and experiment with different lubricants.

Replacing the body's natural lubrication can make sex as exciting and rewarding as it was before. The clitoris and other sexual organs are still sexually sensitive, and remain so throughout life.

You can also try I.D. Pleasure a high-market lubricant containing L-Arginine. L-Arginine is a non-essential amino acid which, through clinical testing, has been shown to enhance sexual arousal in both men and women. When ID Pleasure is applied to the clitoris, vaginal walls or penis for lubrication the L-Arginine will increase the blood flow to the region, heightening sensitivity. Heightened sensitivity, in turn, naturally results in a greater responsiveness to sexual stimulation.

Positive Thinking

Thinking positively about menopause is also important. Menopause is a meaningful time in a woman's life which has some significant benefits. Pregnancy is no longer possible and many women feel that this decreases their level of anxiety during sex. They find themselves more relaxed so they enjoy the experience more. Abstaining from sex during menstruation (which so many couples unnecessarily do) are no longer issues in a woman's life. As a result many women find menopause to be quite a relief. Additionally, the shrinkage in the size of the vagina may mean that more direct and intense stimulation takes place. A smaller vagina means more friction and closer contact with the nerves which produce sexual pleasure. Aging can create a new range of sensations as long as couples learn how to adapt.

Hormone Treatments

Hormone replacement therapy is a way some women deal with menopausal side effects. This may or may not be an option for you. Ask your physician for the facts on this treatment possibility.