Menopause, Perimenopause & Sexual Health
Understanding hormonal change and its impact on comfort, desire, and confidence
A Transition Many Women Are Never Properly Prepared For
Menopause is a natural life transition — yet many women enter it with little clear information about what’s happening in their bodies or how those changes may affect sexual health and wellbeing.
Perimenopause and menopause can bring shifts in hormones, energy, mood, tissue health, and desire. These changes are real, common, and often misunderstood — especially when it comes to intimacy.
At Intimate Wellbeing, we believe understanding this transition helps reduce fear, self-blame, and confusion — and creates space for informed, supportive care.
What Are Perimenopause and Menopause?
Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause, when hormone levels — particularly estrogen and progesterone — begin to fluctuate. This phase can last several years and is often when symptoms first appear.
Menopause is defined as the point when menstruation has stopped for 12 consecutive months. After this point, estrogen levels remain lower and more stable.
Both phases can affect sexual health in meaningful ways.
How Hormonal Changes Can Affect Sexual Health
Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can influence:
Vaginal & Vulvar Tissue
Lower estrogen levels can reduce natural moisture, thin vaginal tissue, and affect elasticity — contributing to dryness, irritation, or discomfort during intimacy.
Desire & Arousal
Changes in hormones, stress levels, sleep, and nervous system regulation can affect how desire is experienced. Many women notice that arousal takes longer or feels different than it once did.
Comfort & Sensitivity
Some women experience increased sensitivity, pain with penetration, or changes in how their bodies respond to touch.
Confidence & Identity
Physical changes can also bring emotional shifts, impacting confidence, body image, and how connected a woman feels to her sexuality.
These changes are common — but they’re rarely discussed openly.
What’s Normal — and What Deserves Support
While menopause is a natural transition, ongoing discomfort, pain, or distress should not be dismissed as “just part of aging.”
Supportive care can make a meaningful difference.
Many women explore:
- Consistent care for vaginal and vulvar tissue health
- Support for arousal and comfort during intimacy
- Pelvic floor support when tension or discomfort is present
- Education and expert guidance to better understand their options
The right approach is personal and may evolve over time.
When to Speak With a Healthcare Provider
If symptoms such as dryness, pain, changes in tissue health, or distress around intimacy are persistent or worsening, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider.
A knowledgeable provider can help explore options, rule out underlying concerns, and discuss supportive treatments that may be appropriate.
Learning More
Many women find it helpful to combine written information with expert-led conversations that explore menopause, hormones, desire, and sexual health in more depth.
You may wish to explore related education in the SPARK Library, where trusted experts address these topics with clarity and compassion.
A Reframing Worth Remembering
Menopause is not the end of intimacy or sexual wellbeing.
For many women, it’s the beginning of a deeper understanding of their bodies — and an opportunity to redefine comfort, connection, and confidence on their own terms.
Our trifecta for midlife comfort
Moisturize for Daily Comfort
Just like facial moisturizer supports your skin, vaginal moisturizers are designed to hydrate delicate tissues inside and out. They provide longer-lasting relief and are ideal for ongoing support, not just in the moment.
Use Lubricant for Intimacy
When intimacy becomes uncomfortable, adding a lubricant can make all the difference. Water-based lubricants are a great option—they’re safe with toys and condoms, and they mimic your body’s natural moisture.
Add Gentle Vibration for Better Circulation
You may not realize that vibrators can do more than enhance intimacy—they can actually help improve moisture levels over time. Regular use of gentle, external or internal vibration increases blood flow to the pelvic area, which in turn supports tissue health, elasticity, and natural lubrication.
Everything you need to know about hormones.
Dr. Melanie Altas brings a wealth of knowledge to illuminate the path ahead with Menopause Hormone Therapy. As your body adjusts to the ebb and flow of hormones, this therapeutic approach steps in to reintroduce essential female hormones, providing a respite from the rollercoaster of symptoms, such as those relentless hot flashes and vexing vaginal discomfort.