Women suffer from sexual dysfunction too

Millions of postmenopausal women suffer from sexual dysfunctions- painful intercourse, sexual dissatisfaction and a multitude of physiological and psychological problems.

However if the patients and their doctors communicated better, most of these problems can be treated properly. Almost all women, as they go through menopause, will gradually develop changes in genital organs-particularly a condition known as genital atrophy.

This results in thinning of tissues in the vagina, which can make sexual functioning, and response difficult.

Researchers who studied these dysfunctions, while addressing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual meeting in Chicago, said much of the problem with female sexual dysfunction is due to the failure of patients and doctors to communicate about this problem that both parties may be uncomfortable discussing.

As women age and go through menopause, the lining of the vagina loses a robust pinkish to red color and becomes pale and can be so thinned that it bleeds on touch of even a cotton swab, sexual intercourse can become painful and women can have difficulty in reaching orgasm.

There are numerous treatments that can help reduce symptoms caused by genital atrophy, including water-based lubricants such as those used by gynecologists in their routine examinations; estrogen-based creams; slow-release estrogen rings that are placed inside the vagina and secrete estrogen into the surrounding tissues; and daily tablets that can be inserted into the vagina.