Sex & Menopause: Pain Relief & Pleasure
discover how regular sexual activity may offer relief from menopause and its challenging symptoms. A new study reveals a link between sexual regularity and fewer GSM-related symptoms, such as vulvar pain and dryness, for women in their 40s to 70s. The research, featured in the journal Menopause, sheds light on the critically important connection between sexual health and comfort during this life stage. Explore how maintaining an active sex life could be key to managing menopausal symptoms, possibly improving your overall quality of life. Learn about the impact of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and the effectiveness of low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy.News Directory 3 delivers the latest findings. Want to learn how to better manage your symptoms? Discover what’s next …
Regular Sex May ease Menopause Symptoms, Study Finds
Updated June 27, 2025
Maintaining regular sexual activity may help women in their 40s to 70s manage some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, according to a new study. The research, involving over 900 women, explored the connection between sexual regularity and problematic vulvovaginal symptoms related to menopause.
The study, published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, focused on the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM, characterized by decreased estrogen and sex steroid levels, can lead to genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms that impact a woman’s quality of life.
Researchers defined “regular sexual activity” as engaging in sexual activity within the past three months. “Lower sexual activity” meant engaging in sexual activity within the past year, but not within the last three months. The study confirmed that regular sexual activity decreased with age. Scores for sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication also declined. Though, scores for orgasm and satisfaction remained consistent across age groups.
The findings suggest that while some sexual functions and symptoms change with age, women who maintain regular sexual activity may experience fewer GSM-related symptoms, including vulvar pain, irritation, and dryness.
“The findings highlight the importance of diagnosing and treating GSM… Local low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy is safe and highly effective at alleviating bothersome vulvovaginal symptoms contributing to pain and avoidance of intercourse,” said Dr. Monica Christmas, associate medical director for The Menopause Society.
Christmas added that treatment should be offered to anyone with symptoms, nonetheless of sexual activity. She also advocated for normalizing the use of local low-dose estrogen therapy.
What’s next
Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of regular sexual activity on menopausal symptoms and to identify optimal treatment strategies for GSM.