Looking around at messages in the media, it appears that we live in an anti-aging society. The desire to look and feel young has translated into a billion dollar industry in numerous fields, with people vying to find the fountain of youth on the presumption that life is inherently more fun when you’re young.
Among the pitfalls of this notion is the embedded idea that getting older means that you can’t be a sexual person anymore. And for some women, going through menopause brings up this identity crisis. Many of our patients report feeling a sense of doom as they look to the golden years and wonder if they can enjoy satisfying sex despite being middle-age or a senior citizen. The answer is yes.
There are certainly physical issues—low desire, arousal, anorgasmic, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse— that may have to be worked out. But the mental perspective is important too. Good sex is not reserved for the young; if anything, maturity and confidence can contribute to even better sex as a person gets older and becomes more aware of what they like and how to communicate that to a partner. So, if you’re going through menopause and fear that you’ll need to be celibate forever, know that it doesn’t have to be that way. Seek out treatment that can help you with your respective issue, but also keep an open mind.
