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Dr. Laura Berman

Dr. Laura Berman is a world-renowned sex, love and relationship therapist. She earned two Masters Degrees and a PhD from New York University, and has spent the past 30 years devoting her career to helping others learn to love and be loved better from a mind, body and spiritual perspective.

Dr. Berman is a columnist for USA Today. She is also a New York Times best selling author who has written nine books, and is an award-winning syndicated radio host. She currently hosts the popular love and sex advice podcast, The Language of Love.

In addition to her regular appearances in daytime and news media, Dr Berman was also the sex, love and relationship expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show and has starred in four television series, including two on the OWN Network and one on Showtime. 

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Symptoms of Menopause

Symptoms of Menopause

Are vaginal dryness and painful intercourse common symptoms of menopause? Is there anything I can do about it?

Ask the Expert

This article has been archived. We will no longer be updating it. For our most up-to-date information, please visit our menopause hub here.

Q: Are vaginal dryness and painful intercourse common symptoms of menopause? Is there anything I can do about it?


A:

Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse are common symptoms of menopause and are experienced by many postmenopausal women. In a survey of women ages 40 to 84, more than half of those who had reached menopause reported having experienced vaginal dryness and one quarter had experienced painful intercourse. These symptoms result from declining estrogen levels, which leave the vagina less flexible and moisturized than it was in its younger days. During menopause, when estrogen levels start to drop, the vaginal walls become thinner, less elastic and less lubricated. This can result in a number of symptoms, including vaginal dryness and dyspareunia – or pain during sexual intercourse – which is said to be one of the most bothersome vaginal symptoms of menopause. Decreased lubrication can also cause discomfort, bleeding and tearing of the vaginal tissues during intercourse. Once your estrogen levels sink low enough to cause vaginal dryness, they will not rise again without intervention.

The good news is that vaginal dryness and painful intercourse due to menopause are treatable. There are several treatment options for vaginal dryness, including lubricants, moisturizers and estrogen therapy. After discussing your symptoms, individual medical history and treatment goals, you and your health care professional can determine the treatment approach that is appropriate for you.

The first step to finding relief of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse is speaking to your health care professional about your symptoms, so make an appointment and start the conversation.

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